TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Control Yuan issued a report on Friday (March 28) criticizing the Taiwan Power Company, or Taipower, for failing in its responsibility to properly store and maintain nuclear waste on Lanyu, also known as Orchid Island.

The Control Yuan found that Taipower did not meet its responsibilities as outlined by the Nuclear Materials and Radioactive Waste Management Act. The government found that low-level nuclear waste is being stored in corroded, rusted, and otherwise damaged barrels and containers at the storage facility, reported CNA. 

The report advises the Ministry of Economic Affairs to see that Taipower rectifies the situation. The storage facility must meet quality assurance standards, while the safety of contractors working at the site must also be ensured. 

According to the Control Yuan, it has been almost 10 years since Taipower did a comprehensive check of the 100,000-plus barrels at the facility, per CNA. The Control Yuan’s inspection discovered barrels that were not in safe condition, many bulging and warped, with several that were leaking. 

The Control Yuan advised that the barrels and storage site must be thoroughly inspected and improved, as the barrels of nuclear waste must be stored for hundreds of years in a dry, secure environment. 

Taipower reportedly already has plans to refurbish and reinforce the storage site within the next two years. The project needs to be carried out quickly and thoroughly without negatively impacting the workers or nearby communities on Lanyu, said the Control Yuan.