Fukushima Nuclear Water Discharge at 3-Year Mark: 172,700 Tons Dumped, Storage Cuts Only 7.6%
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) marked three years since beginning its controversial nuclear wastewater discharge from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station on August 24, 2023. Over 22 batches, approximately 172,700 metric tons of treated water have been released into the Pacific Ocean, yet the on-site storage capacity has only decreased by 7.6%, casting doubt on the feasibility of completing the discharge by the 2051 target date .
Key Points
- TEPCO has discharged 172,700 metric tons of ALPS-treated water containing approximately 39 terabecquerels of tritium since August 24, 2023 .
- Despite removing 17 storage tanks worth of water, total on-site inventory of 1.23 million tons has decreased by only 7.6% .
- Daily discharge rate of 150 tons exceeds new wastewater generation of 60 tons, yielding a net reduction of 90 tons daily .
- At current rates, complete discharge would take approximately 40 years, far longer than the 2051 decommissioning target .
- Japan requests China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Russia and other nations to lift import bans on Japanese seafood products .
Why It Matters
The modest 7.6% reduction in stored wastewater over three years underscores the monumental challenge of decommissioning Fukushima Daiichi, where melted fuel debris continues generating new contaminated water. The dispute over Japanese food imports has created lasting diplomatic friction, with five countries and regions maintaining restrictions despite IAEA assurances that marine samples show no radioactive abnormalities .
The modest 7.6% reduction in stored wastewater over three years underscores the monumental challenge of decommissioning Fukushima Daiichi, where melted fuel debris continues generating new contaminated water. The dispute over Japanese food imports has created lasting diplomatic friction, with five countries and regions maintaining restrictions despite IAEA assurances that marine samples show no radioactive abnormalities .