The water level in the cooling pond at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) continues to decline. This was stated by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, on August 2. He pointed out that the availability of this water is important for ensuring the nuclear safety of the plant. UNN reports this with reference to the IAEA press service.
Details
Reportedly, in recent weeks, IAEA experts at the plant have observed a steady decline in the water level in the plant's cooling pond. It is noted that if this trend continues, it will soon become problematic to pump water out of the pond.
Maintaining the water level in the pond is complicated by the hot summer weather, the store said.
After the destruction of the Kakhovka dam last year, ZNPP dug 11 groundwater wells to supply the ponds with approximately 250 cubic meters of cooling water per hour. These ponds provide enough water to cool all six reactor units in their cold shutdown state.
"During the site inspection last week, the IAEA team noted that the sprinkler ponds are functioning well and the water is at the nominal level. Any disruption in the water supply to the sprinkler ponds could result in the need to use the cooling pond as a backup source," the IAEA said.
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"The decline in the water level in the cooling pond remains a potential source of concern, and we will continue to closely monitor the situation on site to ensure that sufficient cooling water is available at all times to meet the plant's needs," said CEO Grossi.
Addendum
On August 2, the Ministry of Energy reportedthat the water level in the cooling pond is 14.79 meters. This is enough to meet the needs of the plant, the ministry added.