ONDRAF/NIRAS launches public consultation on long-term management of radioactive, radium-containing waste
SCK CEN conducted the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of the preliminary plan
From today, 2 December 2024 onwards and until 2 March 2025, ONDRAF/NIRAS is hosting a national consultation on the long-term management of radioactive, radium-containing waste. The consultation itself will be taking place online at searadium.be. SCK CEN colleagues Eef Weetjens (EGA), Geert Olyslaegers (CMD) and Johan Camps (CMD) worked on the radiological aspects of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the preliminary plan, which is now being presented in the consultation.
Public consultation for safety, durability and transparency
The aim of the national consultation organised by ONDRAF/NIRAS is to gather input from the public with regard to the long-term management of radioactive, radium-containing waste from the historical radium production at Umicore in Olen. This consultation will play a crucial role in the development of safe and lasting solutions for the management of this waste, culminating in it being placed inside a final repository.
The focus lies on a new type of disposal solution, namely near-surface storage, preferably on or near Umicore's site in Olen – though other locations are not being ruled out. The ultimate goal of the consultation is to establish a policy framework and a final management solution. By actively involving the community in this phase, ONDRAF/NIRAS is endeavouring to achieve a transparent process that will contribute towards a widely supported solution.
SEA underpins national consultation on near-surface storage
SCK CEN – specifically Eef Weetjens, Geert Olyslaegers and Johan Camps – provided the Strategic Environmental Assessment (or SEA) that forms part of the ONDRAF/NIRAS draft plan on the long-term management of this type of waste.
“Even though not all the details are not known as yet, we have charted the environmental impact of ONDRAF/NIRAS' near-surface storage concept. This covers both non-radiological and radiological aspects on short-term and medium-term and long-term basis. What effect will the construction works have on the soil and the air? How will the advent of this type of disposal affect the groundwater and water quality? What are potential exposure risks to workers, residents and plants or animals? How can we mitigate the potential impacts and what technical solutions are available? We have given an exploratory and objective answer to those question in the SEA,” said Eef.
As far as the non-radiological aspects are concerned, they consulted several recognised environmental experts from Kenter and Arcadis. The SEA is an important component of the public consultation because it provides citizens and stakeholders with a scientific and objective view of the implications of the plan. It promotes understanding and engagement, after which people can make a considered choice.
Insights from the SEA and your input
If you have comments on the proposed concept regarding radium-containing waste, you can submit them through the national consultation. In each case, the SEA concludes as follows: “There will be no unacceptable radiological or non-radiological effects, provided that appropriate measures are taken. No elements exist at this time that would compromise the preferred location proposed. Further studies and detailing of the disposal concept will need to refine the impact assessment and contribute towards final decisions concerning the location and the design.”
Post-consultation support from SCK CEN
SCK CEN will also assist ONDRAF/NIRAS in its analysis of the responses and recommendations submitted provided by official bodies during the consultation. Robbe Geysmans and Catrinel Turcanu (STS) will coordinate these tasks. They will guarantee that all inputs are thoroughly evaluated, thereby contributing towards informed decision-making.
Would you like to know more?
For more information on the near-surface storage concept or
about the consultation being carried out by ONDRAF/NIRAS, please visit searadium.be.
