For a radioactive waste disposal facility, the most important social pressure is safety, which shall be demonstrated by well-substantiated professional/technical evidences. It shall be clearly and unambiguously demonstrated during the operation, that we have a thorough knowledge of the disposal system. This means that we are able to predict, with great accuracy, the processes expected to take place in the environment of the disposal facility and, again, we are capable of recognising and influencing the changes in the conditions of the environment caused by such processes.

The above-listed expectations can be met by the operation of an appropriately designed monitoring system, and by the processing and evaluation of the monitoring results. Measurement programs have been established, which have been approved by the regulatory body, for monitoring the environment and the radiation conditions. The environment monitoring system is composed of three parts as follows: the geological and hydro-geological, radiological and conventional environment monitoring.

An observation, monitoring, and alarm system has been installed in the surrounding of the disposal facility, which is capable of supplying data on the changes in the facility and its environment, and on the radiation and contamination conditions.

Underground investigation work

Two parallel tunnels, each with length of 1700 m and an inclination of 10%, were excavated parallel, at distance of 25 m from each other between the planned base point and the surface starting point to allow the completion of the underground investigation work. These tunnels have been interconnected thus providing for the required through ventilation and two separate escape routes for the case of accident or fire. In addition to their use for supporting the underground investigation, the incline tunnels will also be used as access route to the disposal area, and will also serve as transfer and ventilation path during the construction, operation and closure of the disposal facility.

The two access tunnels were completed in the entire length in 2008. The required geological surveys have been performed and reported.

The licensing process has reached an important stage in May. The Construction Permit was issued by ÁNTSZ, which allowed the preparation work for the development of the underground storage chambers to be started. The first two of these chambers is expected to be available for receiving wastes by 2010 but, by this date, the surface building will have been capable of safely storing transports received from Paks NPP.