France's First Disposal Facility

Created in 1969 by the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the facility has been operated by Andra since 1979. Today, the site no longer receives waste packages and has entered its closure phase.

Covering an area of approximately 15 hectares, the facility received 527,225 m³ of radioactive waste packages between 1969 and 1994. The waste was disposed of in different types of structures. Between 1991 and 1997, the disposal area was progressively covered with a multi-layer cap.

Today, the CSM is undergoing closure and is subject to rigorous monitoring and regular inspections. Numerous improvements and adaptations are currently being studied in preparation for the transition to the long-term surveillance phase, expected within the coming decades.

The Manche Disposal Facility

The Manche Disposal Facility was designed according to a multi-barrier approach combining engineered structures and the natural properties of the geological environment to ensure the long-term containment of radioactive substances.

 

History of the CSM

Monitoring the Facility

Today, the site's activities focus on monitoring the evolution of the disposal facility, verifying that its behaviour remains consistent with predictions and ensuring that its impact on the environment remains very low.

The objectives of the monitoring programme are to:

• Verify compliance with regulatory requirements;
• Assess the impact of the facility's activities on the environment;
• Detect any abnormal situation or development;
• Maintain the facilities in an operational condition, in compliance with regulatory requirements and using the best available techniques;
• Repair or reinforce facilities whenever necessary.

 

Preserving Memory

The preservation and transmission of the memory of the CSM are based on the implementation of Andra's reference memory preservation strategy.

This strategy includes:

• A passive component, consisting of archival arrangements, including the Detailed Memory Record (DDM) and the Summary Memory Record (DSM). This component also fulfils regulatory requirements under Article R.593-75 of the French Environmental Code;
• An active component, consisting of communication and outreach activities at local, national and international levels, aimed at ensuring that the site remains part of the collective memory of society.

Maintaining knowledge of the facility over the very long term is considered an integral part of the safe management of radioactive waste and of the long-term stewardship of the site.