How is liquid waste managed?
ANSTO also generates liquid effluent waste from the sewer, labs, workshops, cooling towers and radioisotope production areas. Approximately 100,000 m3 of waste water, of which approximately 5,000 m3 contains very low levels of radioactivity, are generated each year. This waste water is collected in tanks, analysed and treated where necessary to remove contaminants. The water is discharged through the sewer to Cronulla Sewage Treatment Plant after meeting the discharge limits set by Sydney Water. The waste water must meet World Health Organisation drinking water standards for radioactivity.
