Douneay - Leak
Posted: 10th October 2025
RADIOACTIVE material was accidentally released at Scotland’s Dounreay
nuclear site in a major environmental breach, The National can reveal. An
investigation was launched in June 2024 after Nuclear Restoration Services
(NRS) – the firm which is responsible for the north Caithness complex’s
clean-up and demolition – informed the Scottish Environmental Protection
Agency (Sepa) of a potential leak of contaminated water. Scotland’s
environmental regulator confirmed that a “small leak” from a carbon bed
filter had occurred. Three different radioactive substances –
alpha-emitting Radionuclides, alpha-emitting Radionuclides and Caesium-137
– were all released, according to the Scottish Pollutant Release
Inventory (SPRI) data. Monitoring from NRS didn’t detect any increase in
radioactivity in groundwater downstream. But Sepa found that the firm had
breached environmental regulations and has ordered it to review its
groundwater monitoring arrangements and “establish the extent of
contamination” which has arisen from the leak.
The National 7th Oct 2025
https://www.thenational.scot/news/25525191.radioactive-water-highland-nuclear-site-leaked-major-breach/
Dounreay – Sodium
Sodium storage concerns remain at Dounreay amid ‘enhanced’ safety
attention at former nuclear site. The Chief Nuclear Inspector (CNI)
published his annual report on the nuclear industry in Great Britain,
covering the year from 2024 to 2025, on Monday. The Office for Nuclear
Regulation says that in areas where performance did not meet the expected
standards during 2024-2025, it held the industry to account to influence
improvements. This included a focus on sites – including Dounreay –
that were subject to enhanced or significantly enhanced regulatory
attention, with the current attention levels detailed in the report. The
CNI’s report explains that the timescales for the decommissioning of the
prototype fast reactor (PFR) at Dounreay have been extended, with
additional resources and regulation required. “Dounreay has been focused
on a number of key asset improvement projects to ensure their assets will
support future mission delivery,” the report adds.
John O’Groat Journal 7th Oct 2025
https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/sodium-storage-concerns-remain-at-dounreay-amid-enhanced-s-402754/