Controlling the environmental impact of power plants

Nuclear power plants, like most industrial activities, produce waste water and waste gases which are collected, sorted, treated and disposed of in compliance with the applicable regulations. Significant efforts are being made to reduce their volume and impact.

EDF ensures daily monitoring of the environment with special attention to atmospheric dust, water, fauna and flora around the power plant. Controls are intended to verify compliance with the discharge limits set by the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN). The results of these analyses, along with other data such as water temperature, are published monthly on the edf.fr website and on the website of the national environmental radioactivity measurement network (RNM).

Each year, a complete environmental report is published by each nuclear power plant. It is submitted to the ASN, the public authorities and members of the Local Information Commissions (CLI), among others. The public authorities, in particular the services of the Ministries of Health and Industry, control all of these analyses.

All nuclear power plants use an ISO 14001 certified environmental management system. To control events that could have an impact on the environment, the operator ensures strict compliance with the prevention rules (proper management of effluents, effluent treatment, intermediate storage, inspection prior to discharge, etc.).
Optimised effluent management is aimed at:

• Reducing the production of effluents at source, especially via recycling
• Reducing discharge of radioactive substances by means of appropriate treatment
• Minimising waste production and recovering as much conventional waste as possible

Water is essential for the operation of nuclear power plants. It makes it possible to :

•     produce the steam that drives the turbine
•     cooling the installations
•     build up security reserves
•     supply the fire-fighting circuits.
•     supply sanitary facilities and employee catering equipment.

The water used to cool nuclear reactors is drawn off in accordance with the procedures defined in the regulations specific to each plant. It is then treated, if necessary, and checked before being released into the natural environment. The water is then warmer by a few tenths of a degree for riverside sites (air coolers) and by a few degrees for seaside sites. Throughout the year, teams ensure that these temperature changes have no impact on the fauna and flora.

Whether this water is taken from the sea, a river or groundwater, its use is regulated and controlled by public authorities. In a context of dwindling resources, we are also committed to optimizing the performance of every drop of water used in our facilities.