The characteristics of disposal sites and repositories

The nuclear industry requires a disposal site for low level waste in addition to the Drigg site in Cumbria. It also requires a site for the deep disposal of intermediate level waste. The essential feature of such sites is that they can safely contain radioactive wastes for a sufficient period to reduce the risk to man to levels which are very low indeed. In fact the risk levels for such repositories must be comparable with those due to the variation of the natural background in the UK. The broad characteristics for such sites and the on-site facilities are described in the paper. (author)