Fukushima operators dump first batch of once-radioactive water into the sea

The operator of Japan’s Fukushima on Monday began releasing previously radioactive groundwater from the crippled nuclear plant into the sea, saying a filtration process had made the discharge safe.

Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), which operates the plant in eastern Japan, said that on the first day it had released 850 tons of groundwater, which had become radioactive after flowing near the plant.

It was the first time the plant, whose reactors suffered meltdowns after a huge tsunami in 2011, had released filtered water into the sea after a years-long battle with fishermen, who feared it could destroy their livelihood.

TEPCO said the water was safe as it has been filtered through its Advanced Liquid Processing System, which removes highly radioactive substances like strontium and caesium but leaves in the less dangerous tritium.

Fishermen had argued that the discharge would heighten contamination concerns and hurt their already battered reputation. But they eventually bowed to pressure from TEPCO, which is struggling to find space to store tainted water.

“We have confirmed this underground water contains contaminants since it includes rainwater that has been exposed to rubble at the site. But its radiation levels are much lower than the water kept in the reactor buildings,” said a TEPCO spokesman.