Vietnam's Da Nang tests response to radioactive water contamination

Under the exercise scenario, a hypothetical incident occurred in the water-treatment area of Cau Do Water Plant in the central Vietnamese city.

During an inspection, a plant employee discovered a metal object bearing a strange marking, surrounded by white powder and several unidentified metal pellets.

Suspecting that the object could be radioactive, the plant immediately suspended water distribution, isolated the area, and closed valves supplying water to downstream treatment tanks.

The incident was classified as a level 2 emergency.

Specialist teams then used radiation detection equipment to survey the site.

The readings showed abnormally high radiation levels, leading to an initial determination that the object was a radioactive source.

The Da Nang Steering Board for Radiation and Nuclear Incident Response subsequently activated the city's emergency response plan.

Forces were deployed to the site to establish safety perimeters and control the movement of people and vehicles.

According to the scenario, further surveys identified the radioactive source as cesium-137 (Cs-137), with an estimated activity of about 10 curies.

The treatment tank where the incident occurred showed slight radioactive contamination, while no signs of contamination were detected in adjacent tanks.

The drill consisted of seven stages of response.

Technical teams first recovered the Cs-137 source, placed it in a secure container and rechecked radiation levels.

Military personnel handled the contaminated powder and carried out decontamination of the affected area.

Firefighting and rescue forces pumped contaminated water into specialized storage tanks for temporary containment.

After the radioactive source had been secured, specialist teams continued collecting samples and conducting measurements.

The results indicated that the powder and water in the affected tank had been lightly contaminated with Cs-137, while no contamination was detected in the other tanks.

Under the response plan, once the emergency phase was completed, the radioactive source, contaminated materials and contaminated water would be transported to a secure storage facility.

Besides, authorities would prepare official information for the media, advise residents not to use the water temporarily while its quality was being assessed, and require the water supplier to activate a backup water-supply plan.

Ho Quang Buu, vice-chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee, said the hypothetical scenario of the city's water supply becoming contaminated by radioactive material was a situation that could occur in reality.

Such an incident would be highly complex and could pose risks to public health.

The drill provided an opportunity to review the suitability of the city's response plan and assess the actual capabilities of the forces involved, he added.