A long-term solution
A GDF has to be built deep underground, in solid rock. The rock plays an important part in keeping people and the environment safe while the waste naturally becomes less radioactive.
It is built of vaults and tunnels. These engineered barriers work together with the natural rock to contain and isolate the UK’s most hazardous radioactive waste.
It will be constructed 200 to 1,000 metres below ground or beneath the seabed and be sealed for permanent disposal. At this depth, waste will be protected from natural events such as earthquakes and long-term environmental change such as future ice ages or sea level rises.
This passive safety approach requires no human intervention. It will keep the waste safe and secure over the many thousands of years it will take for the radioactivity to naturally reduce.
A GDF provides a permanent, secure solution for radioactive waste management, protecting both current and future generations.
Safety is the foundation of the site selection process
The process for finding a suitable site considers safety at every step.
Detailed investigations of sites are made to ensure a GDF can be constructed, operated, and closed safely and securely. These include geophysical surveys and studies of existing data such as local geology, transport infrastructure, and local power supply.
These studies focus on six factors to establish suitability: safety and security, community, environment, engineering feasibility, transport, and value for money.
If the site is suitable at this stage, the investigative work will continue, such as drilling deep boreholes to understand more about the geology deep below the surface. (This work needs a Development Consent Order and Environmental Permits.)
Building a GDF needs regulatory permission
The information gathered from these studies goes into the applications for regulatory permissions to build a GDF.
NWS will need to demonstrate how the GDF will meet the UK’s high standards of safety, security and environmental protection throughout its lifetime.
To do this, it will develop and maintain a number of safety cases, which include operational safety, environmental safety, transport (managed by Nuclear Transport Solutions), and security plans. These safety cases, plus design specifications, site suitability and the scientific evidence are examined by the Office for Nuclear Regulation and Environment Agency, the UK’s independent nuclear regulators.
A GDF will only be built if the site will be safe and secure during its construction and operation, and it meets all the regulators’ requirements.
Scientists and other authorities all over the world agree that geological disposal is the safest way to deal with the most hazardous radioactive waste for the long term. This international consensus comes after decades of scientific research.
Looking for more information?
You can find further help and advice on these independent regulators’ websites:
You can also find information about the government’s independent advisors on radioactive waste management, the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management, (CoRWM).