i'm cathehene kobayashi. some municipalities are having trouble dealing with the dirty and dangerous aftermath of the accident at the fukushima daiichi nuclear plant. sludge containing radioactive materials has been building up at sewage facilities. half of it remains in storage despite the government's plan to bury it. nhk asked local governments in 17 prefectures in northeastern and central japan how they're coping with the toxic sludge. more than 54,400 tons of it has accumulated at waste water treatment facilities. 75% contains less than 8,000 becquerels of radioactive cesium. that's the set limit for disposal by bereel. still much of the amount has been kept in storage at treatment plants. one reason is because some burial projects has been rejected by residents who live near sites. a large amount of contaminated sludge has accumulated and storage space is running out. the government has decided to keep it at six facilities. it explained the decision to residents through their community associations. >>