Construction Began on New Nuclear Waste Storage Unit
Work is underway at the Savannah River Site on a new concrete-and-steel structure for radioactive waste.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Nuclear
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Crews have started building Saltstone Disposal Unit 12 at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. This four-story structure is designed to hold grout produced by the site's ongoing salt waste treatment operations.
Why it matters
As the Salt Waste Processing Facility accelerates its efforts to treat radioactive liquid waste, the site requires additional capacity for the final byproduct. Saltstone Disposal Unit 12 is expected to serve as the final large storage container for the facility.
The storage unit consists of a four-story concrete and steel shell designed to contain solidified radioactive grout. This final containment method follows the processing of liquid waste to remove its radioactive components.
The players
Savannah River Site
This facility is a Department of Energy nuclear reservation located in South Carolina that has been active since the 1950s.
Salt Waste Processing Facility
This installation is responsible for removing radioactive components from liquid waste at the Savannah River Site.
The details
The process involves mixing treated waste with inert materials to create a stable grout that is then poured into the disposal unit. The Savannah River Site has managed nuclear waste since the 1950s and currently operates the Salt Waste Processing Facility at record levels.
Timeline
The Savannah River Site has stored nuclear waste since the 1950s.
The Big Picture
This project follows the operational requirements established by the Savannah River Site waste treatment mission. It represents the latest infrastructure development necessary to sustain long-term environmental remediation efforts at the facility.
The expansion of storage capacity ensures that the facility can continue its waste processing operations without interruption. This project is a critical component in the ongoing effort to manage and contain radioactive materials within the state.
The takeaway
The construction of this unit reflects the scaling of modern waste treatment technologies to handle legacy materials. Residents should recognize that this site has served a critical role in regional nuclear management since the 1950s.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing environmental projects, visit the Nuclear section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Augusta Chronicle.
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