Cooling basins are pumped full
Zaporizhia NPP is preparing for a water shortage
06/08/2023, 2:11 p.m
The water from the Kakhovka dam also supplies cooling water to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the cooling basins are currently being filled. If they are full, they last for months. Nevertheless, the Ukrainians view the developments with concern.
At the Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia, work is being done at full speed to fill up the cooling water reserves. This is necessary if, as a result of the destruction of the Kachowka dam and the outflow of huge amounts of water, it will soon no longer be possible to pump water from the reservoir behind it, said the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, on Wednesday evening. The Russian-occupied power plant is located at the northern end of the reservoir.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities have warned that the reservoir’s water level is approaching a dangerous low. A further subsidence threatens to affect the water supply to the cooling ponds for the nearby Zaporizhia nuclear power plant and other regions, the head of the state operator of the hydroelectric power station located at the broken dam, Ihor Syrota, said on TV. His company will be ready to repair the dam and hydroelectric power station as soon as Russian troops leave the eastern side of the Dnipro.
According to IAEA boss Grossi, the lowering of the level slowed down slightly on Wednesday. If the level drops below 12.7 meters, no more water can be pumped onto the power plant site. Grossi did not rule out that the level could fall below this mark within a few days. Therefore, as long as it is still possible, water is continuously pumped from the reservoir into collection basins on the site. According to the IAEA, the water level on Tuesday was 14.03 meters.
When these pools are full, there will be enough water to cool the six reactors for several months. Although the reactors are shut down, they still need cooling water. According to Grossi, he wants to travel to Zaporizhia himself next week to get an idea of the situation there. The IAEA wants to strengthen its team in Zaporizhia.