Digging the first trenches

Early in March, the ground works for the ITER cooling water system commenced. A pipe is currently put in place between the future cooling water tower at the northern perimeter of the site and a delivery station near the Headquarters Building. Through this tube, that has a diameter of 700 millimeters, the cooling water taken from the Verdon River will flow via the Canal de Provence onto the ITER site. These works are part of the French commitment as Host state.
 
The pipe connection will be operational from 2012 onward, but in order to avoid any interference with the construction works on site starting this summer, it was decided to put the pipes in place beforehand. Also, temporary connections to the potable water network will be installed in order to provide water to the worksite from June onward.

Besides servicing ITER, the new water connection will also supply a potable water station on the CEA site plus the centre's two new installations, the Jules Horowitz Reactor (RJH) and the Réacteur d'ESsais (RES).

Click here for more info on the ITER cooling water system .