The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the environmental regulators have published updated guidance that sets out our regulatory expectations on the prevention and management of radioactive and non-radioactive contamination of the ground and water on nuclear licensed sites.
It identifies the five key principles that regulators expect nuclear site licensees to consider in order to prevent contamination, and to ensure that if it does occur, or has already occurred, it is managed safely and that any unacceptable risks to people or the environment are mitigated against.
Following changes introduced in 2018 by the environmental regulators, it also addresses the need for nuclear site licensees to complete a waste management plan and site-wide environmental safety case in order to comply with the requirements of their environmental permit or authorisation.
To assist and aid licensees in the implementation of their Land Quality Management (LQM) plans, further sources of reading materials are also referenced in the updated guidance.
The joint guidance ‘Regulatory expectations for successful land quality management at nuclear licensed sites’ has been drafted jointly with the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and replaces an earlier version published in 2014.
ONR works closely with the environmental regulators on LQM matters at nuclear licensed sites with the aim of achieving effective, consistent and comprehensive regulation while avoiding conflicting requirements being placed on licensees.
In addition, ONR also has other regulatory responsibilities in relation to LQM activities on nuclear sites including those for health and safety, radiological protection and prevention of major accidents.
Further information on our role is contained on the LQM page on our website.