A full year has passed since the tsunami wiped out the Fukushima plant. Water continues to be treated and circulated into the reactor and reactor containment vessel to maintain the damaged fuel in a stable state. The water pumping, storage, and recirculation system continues to have breakdowns and leaks. On March 26, a leak from a storage tank was found. Before the leak was stopped an estimated 80 liters of water containing strontium 90 had entered the ocean. To prevent the spread of the contaminated sediment in the ocean around the plant, the seabed is being covered with a layer of cement.
The plans for removing the damaged fuel from the Units 1, 2, and 3 are being formulated. Recently, an endoscope was inserted into the Unit 2 reactor containment vessel to determine the water level in the vessel. The water level was found to be 0.60 meters, substantially lower than the 3 meters they expected. The lower water level indicated damage to the containment vessel is greater than anticipated which further complicates the task of removing the highly radioactive damaged fuel because raising the water level is integral to the plans for removing the debris.
The structure which encases the Unit 1 reactor building has been completed. Debris within the damaged building has not been removed. Removal of debris from the Units 3 and 4 reactor buildings is progressing with completion expected at the end of 2012 and mid 2012, respectively. The method for removing the fuel in the Unit 4 spent fuel pool is being determined. There is an urgency to remove the fuel because the building sustained structural damage so there is a risk of the further damage to the pool in the event of a large earthquake. Usually the spent fuel pool crane is used to remove fuel, but the crane was damaged and is contributing to the debris in the building.
Some towns around the Fukushima had been evacuated are now safe for habitation. Most people have left the area and many are concerned about the residual contamination and are staying away.
