Providing new and flexible low level waste management services for our customers, means making sure existing and new facilities are developed and commercially available. Delivery of key strategic projects underpins every aspect of our business.
We have an exciting programme of major construction projects to support the continued safe and effective management of the UK's low level waste today and in the future, facilities specifically designed for the receipt, conditioning and disposal of low level waste.
Our new disposal vault, known as Vault 9, has increased capacity at the Low Level Waste Repository by approximately 100,000m³, the equivalent of around 15 years worth of waste storage. Vault 9 has been constructed from concrete and enclosed by vertical concrete walls. The vault is designed to meet the requirements for disposal of low level waste.
A rolling programme of constructing additional vaults is planned as part of our long term strategy for the Low Level Waste Repository. This will ensure we meet the UK's requirements for low level waste disposal capacity.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is leading the development of a National Low Level Waste Strategy for all nuclear sites. As manager and operator of the national repository, LLW Repository Ltd is working alongside the NDA to develop long-term arrangements for the management of all UK low level waste. The main objective is to maximise remaining disposal capacity and one of the ways to achieve this is by segregating the waste.
On-going effective low level waste management at site relies on the efficiency of key facilities such as the Rail Sidings where waste is received onto site and the Grouting Plant where containers are filled with grout before storage and final disposal.
Like any disposal facility, the Low Level Waste Repository has a finite lifetime. Planning the safe and efficient closure of the site will require additional features. One such feature is the installation of a special wall, known as a cut off wall, around the site's vaults and trenches. This will minimise the amount of leachate from entering the upper ground water system that ultimately flows into the Irish Sea. Part of the closure plan also includes the installation of a final water resistant and secure cap over the trenches and vaults. Whilst these projects will not be implemented for decades to come, they form part of the site's Environmental Safety Case.
It is widely recognised that development projects bring about socioeconomic benefits such as employment and procurement. However, as a responsible organisation we also anticipate other impacts such as increased noise and traffic. Our strategy for addressing this is to ensure that, where possible, deliveries to the site, whether low level waste or construction materials for projects, arrive by rail. Our aim is to minimise the impact of all our operations and projects on the local environment.