RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL

DML must dispose of its radioactive waste in accordance with a Certificate of Authorisation granted by the Environment Agency under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. The current Certificate came into force in March 2002. The Authorisation specifies the maximum amounts in volume and radioactivity that DML is allowed to dispose of in each calendar year, or in some instances in a rolling 12 month period. The limits set are such that, even if disposals or discharges took place at these limits, any effects would be environmentally acceptable and would not exceed any national or international dose limits. DML is operating well below the authorised limits set in March 2002.

The Certificate of Authorisation includes a number of Schedules with specific requirements. Schedule 9 details a number of requirements for additional information and improvement, which has to be submitted to the Environment Agency within certain time constraints.

DML generates liquid, solid and airborne radioactive waste as a consequence of carrying out its central business function of refitting, refuelling, maintaining and repairing nuclear-powered submarines for the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Solid low level and very low level waste is disposed of to authorised sites in accordance with the Certificate of Authorisation. Liquid waste arising directly or indirectly from the nuclear submarine reactor system is treated to reduce radioactive contaminants before being discharged to the river. Secondary radioactive liquid wastes (e.g. arising from change rooms and the laundering of protective clothing used in radiological controlled areas) are discharged to the dockyard sewer. Airborne waste is discharged via authorised outlets and in accordance with the Certificate of Authorisation. All disposals and discharges meet current radiological environmental standards.

Small amounts of intermediate level waste are generated during the company's operations. Currently, there is no facility within the United Kingdom for the disposal of intermediate level waste. Consequently, this waste has to be stored on site until either the level of radioactivity decays to the point where it can be reclassified and disposed of as low level waste, or, a national repository becomes available. The small quantity of intermediate level waste generated at Devonport is stored safely in purpose-built facilities on DML's licensed site.

No high level waste is generated during DML's operations. The Ministry of Defence manages the removal of used nuclear fuel from the dockyard and its onward transport to BNG Sellafield for storage and possible reprocessing in the future.

DML has a radioactive waste management policy designed to justify the need for, and then control, all work that could generate radioactive waste. The company policy also includes the requirement to minimise radioactive waste arisings, disposals and discharges using Best Practicable Means (BPM) and to dispose of radioactive waste from the site as quickly as possible in order to minimise the amount held on site. When planning nuclear work DML conducts reviews to assess how much waste will be generated and then takes every practicable step to minimise that waste. No new work that would generate radioactive waste is started unless there is an approved way of disposing of or storing the waste. Records of all disposals are reported to the Environment Agency.

Radioative Waste Disposals made during 2005