HS Orka has published an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report addressing the handling and disposal of scale deposits from the company’s boreholes on the Reykjanes Peninsula that contain elevated levels of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). The report is now available for public review through the Planning Agency’s consultation portal, with a six‑week comment period.
Background
In 2015, the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority notified HS Orka that samples of scale deposits from pipelines connected to several boreholes on the Reykjanes Peninsula showed elevated levels of naturally occurring radioactivity (NORM). Several options for storage or disposal have since been explored in consultation with the Radiation Safety Authority.
The conclusion is that HS Orka intends to store the deposits in sealed containers in the basement of the separation station located on the company’s operational site on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The company does not rule out other options in the future, such as exporting the material for disposal abroad.
The EIA report currently under review describes the proposed handling and disposal methods, key impact factors, and environmental effects. The environmental impact of storage is assessed as insignificantly negative across all environmental categories. HS Orka considers that the procedures and methods proposed in the report ensure that the cleaning and storage of NORM‑containing deposits will have minimal environmental impact.
Cleaning procedures will ensure safe handling and prevent radioactive material (NORM) from entering the environment.
Why do radioactive scale deposits form on the Reykjanes Peninsula?
The geothermal fluid in the Reykjanes system is geothermal seawater — its salinity is the same as seawater. When geothermal seawater is utilized, more minerals precipitate out compared to geothermal systems fed by freshwater.
Geothermal resources naturally contain radioactive elements found in the surrounding rock. These elements can be carried to the surface dissolved in the geothermal fluid, entering boreholes, rising to the wellhead, and flowing into pipelines. As the fluid cools, the elements precipitate as solid material and form dark scale deposits inside the pipes.
In Svartsengi, however, the geothermal fluid is not seawater, and scale deposits there do not contain NORM.
Which storage method is best?
Exporting the material for disposal abroad was explored, but the option proved difficult. Iceland is a signatory to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. Under the convention, each country is expected to manage its own radioactive waste. It is uncertain whether Iceland could obtain an exemption to export the material, though the option will continue to be examined.
Disposal at a landfill in Iceland was also considered. However, Iceland has no designated landfill permitted to accept radioactive waste.
After extensive evaluation, HS Orka considers on‑site storage at the company’s Reykjanes facility to be the most feasible option.
Will the storage method affect drinking water or public health?
The proposed storage site lies outside water protection zones, and groundwater flows from the area toward the sea. Measurements by ÍSOR (Iceland GeoSurvey) of water samples from the Reykjanes and Svartsengi power plants, as well as drinking water wells in Lágur and Sýrfell, show that background values are similar to those around the capital area.
There is therefore no indication that operations at the Reykjanes power plant negatively affect water quality. The planned storage method ensures that the material will not come into contact with groundwater.
To experience any radiological effects, a person would need to ingest a significant amount of the deposits. The storage area is restricted, and unauthorized individuals have no access, so there is no risk to the public.
Can radioactivity negatively affect wildlife on the Reykjanes Peninsula?
The deposits contain alpha and beta radiation:
Alpha radiation travels only 2–3 cm in air and cannot penetrate skin or even a sheet of paper.
Beta radiation can penetrate a few millimeters of skin but does not travel far due to its low mass. In large quantities, it can cause burns similar to sunburn and may damage eyes.
The deposits pose the greatest risk if ingested.
During borehole cleaning, NORM‑containing deposits are immediately placed into sealed containers, preventing animals from coming into contact with them.
Marine life is unaffected because borehole cleaning does not influence the discharge of effluent water into receiving waters. There is no vegetation around the cleaning site, and NORM‑containing deposits do not affect air quality.
Will radioactivity affect the safety and health of workers on site?
The deposits pose the greatest risk when ingested. Workers would need to ingest a substantial amount to experience effects. Proper protective equipment is always required.
HS Orka employees and contractors involved in cleaning or handling NORM‑containing deposits receive training on NORM and follow strict handling procedures. Workers performing cleaning wear protective gear, and there is no expected risk of external radiation exposure during cleaning operations.
What happens if an accident occurs during transport of the deposits?
HS Orka’s primary option is to store NORM‑containing deposits within its operational site. The containers must be transported from the cleaning area to the storage site, but the distance is short and remains within company property.
If an accident occurred and deposits entered the soil, cleanup would begin immediately, and the area would be scanned with a Geiger counter to ensure no NORM remained.
If the deposits were later exported, they would likely be transported through Helguvík harbor. Although accidents cannot be ruled out, necessary precautions would be taken in accordance with Icelandic environmental legislation (Act No. 7/1998). Any spill would be cleaned up immediately. The radiation is so short‑ranged that it would not affect groundwater. Impacts would be localized and temporary.
Detailed procedures and emergency response plans will be established to minimize risks and consequences.
Why was the environmental assessment not completed earlier?
Delays in completing the EIA report stem from several factors. Iceland has no domestic disposal solution for NORM‑containing material, meaning there were no precedents or established procedures. Early efforts focused on exploring disposal abroad, which proved complex due to international agreements.
Further analysis of domestic options then began in consultation with the Radiation Safety Authority. During this period, seismic unrest and volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula disrupted access to the area and shifted internal priorities as the company had to respond to natural hazards.
