For Tepco and Fukushima Nuclear Plant, Toxic Water Stymies Cleanup

"TOKYO — Two and a half years after a series of meltdowns, Japan’s effort to clean up what remains of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is turning into another kind of disaster."



"The site now stores 90 million gallons of radioactive water, more than enough to fill Yankee Stadium to the brim. An additional 400 tons of toxic water is flowing daily into the Pacific Ocean, and almost every week, the plant operator acknowledges a new leak.

That operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co., known as Tepco, was put in charge of the cleanup process more than two years ago and subsequently given a government bailout as its debts soared. The job of dismantling the facility was supposed to give Tepco an opportunity to rebuild credibility."

Chico Harlan reports for the Washington Post October 21, 2013.

SEE ALSO:

"Japan Extends the Fukushima Clean-Up Deadline To 2017" (BBC News)

"Japan Nuclear Plant Radiation Cleanup Delayed Up To Three Years" (Christian Science Monitor)

"Toxic Overflow of Thousands of Fukushima Tanks Following Heavy Rains" (Common Dreams)

"Radioactivity Level Spikes 6,500 Times at Fukushima Well" (RT (Russian government))

"Heavy Rains Overflow Barriers Surrounding Fukushima Water Tanks" (RT (Russian government))

"Storm Causes Radioactive Leaks at Fukushima" (Voice of America (US Government))

Source: Wash Post, 10/22/2013