Page 279 - Beyond Decommissioning

260 Beyond Decommissioning

Fig. 6.45 Brauhaus, Wuppertal, Germany. From swimming pool to restaurant.
Photo by M. Laraia.

In following years, a contract was given to remediate the contaminated embank-
ment by excavating the contents and either removing the embankment or
decontaminating and providing a weatherproof cover depending on the results of a
structural survey. Working within a 40 m 40 m 7 m high containment, the site
was characterized and the solid radioactive waste was taken away. Liquid waste was
collected in a settling tank, sampled, and transferred to the site low active effluent
system.
A structural survey showed that total removal of the embankment would compro-
mise the stability of nearby facilities. So an alternative end state was established. This
involved decontamination of the embankment by scabbling, its partial removal to
form a new entrance, and installation of storm drains. This approach avoided the costs
of maintaining a weatherproof cover and brought back the car park.
The work generated no contamination spread, regardless of extreme weather.
Industrial hazards were also present, including heavy excavation machinery in con-
fined spaces. This case study proves that definition of a site end state (and redevelop-
ment objective) is subject to many constraints (VHE Construction, n.d.).

6.7.3 Docks, piers, wharves

Many nuclear and other industrial facilities are located next to water courses, lakes,
rivers, or the sea (Fig. 6.46). Water is needed for cooling or other purposes and cargoes
are regularly loaded/unloaded on the waterfront to ensure the functions of the site.
Therefore, it is not uncommon that docks, piers, or wharves are part of the site infra-
structure. Following closure of the industrial site, new functions should be assigned to
this infrastructure.