Hanford Drains Last Reactor Fuel Storage Basin

RICHLAND, Wash. - Hanford Site workers just finished draining the last large basin that used to hold uranium fuel rods from nuclear reactors. Crews pumped out nearly 1 million gallons of contaminated water from the K West Reactor basin.

Three contractors to the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management worked together to drain the water and drive it 8,000 gallons at a time in tankers to a nearby treatment facility.

This week crews are back at the 20-foot-deep basin filling it with grout. The grout encapsulates contaminated debris and stabilizes the basin for future demolition.