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What is the project monitoring?
- Water quality in rivers, creeks, Lake Ontario
- Reduction in contaminant concentrations in forage fish
- Sediment quality and fish habitat
Why is the project monitoring water quality, fish and fish habitat?
- To ensure measures to prevent the release of contaminants into watercourses are effective
- To track the recovery of conditions in Port Hope Harbour after cleanup and habitat improvement
What measures is the project taking to protect water quality, fish and fish habitat?
- Install stream diversion, erosion and sediment control structures (silt fences) around work areas
- Isolate work at Port Hope Harbour from Lake Ontario through use of silt curtains
- Place daily cover on excavated surfaces near watercourses
- Suspend work near watercourses during heavy rainfall
- Collect, sample and treat water that comes in contact with contaminants
- Discharge water from work sites to approved treatment facilities
- Undertake habitat improvements following the cleanup at Port Hope Harbour
- Establish a Spill Response Plan
How is the project monitoring water quality, fish and fish habitat?
- Sample and analyze water for radiological (radium-226, uranium) and non-radiological (heavy metals) contaminants at:
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- Highland Drive South Creek
- Brewery Creek
- Alexander Creek
- Port Granby Creek
- Brand Creek (downstream of the long-term waste management facility)
- Lake Ontario (around treated leachate discharge)
- Confluence of Ganaraska River and Port Hope Harbour
- Conduct toxicity testing of treated leachate discharge to ensure protection of fish and their habitat
- Analyze whole fish samples (sand shiner and longnose dace) for radiological and non-radiological contaminants in the vicinity of Port Hope Harbour
- Sample and analyze sediment for radiological and non-radiological contaminants at Port Hope Harbour following cleanup
- Measure suspended solids (turbidity) using a Turbidometer and Secchi disk (in deeper waters) in water near remediation sites