2018
Port Hope, November 20, 2018
At approximately 12:45 p.m. on 2018 Nov. 19, CNL identified approximately one litre of water had leaked onto Cavan Street from a tank that was being transported to the Long-Term Waste Management Facility. The tank contained rain and surface water collected during the remediation of the Pine Street North Extension Temporary Storage Site.
Upon discovery, the driver pulled over safely to the side of the road. CNL immediately applied absorbent pads to the road to soak up the water. Analysis of the water prior to the tank leaving the site indicates that the leak did not have an effect on the environment. A radiological scan of the road surface confirmed that there was no contamination on the road.
CNL informed the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission of the incident.
At no time was there a risk to the safety of workers or the public. Corrective actions have been put in place to prevent a further occurrence.
Port Granby, November 5, 2018
At approximately 5 p.m. on 2018 Nov. 3, CNL staff identified a leak of untreated water at the Port Granby Waste Water Treatment Plant. Staff took immediate action to contain the water and stop the leak.
CNL notified the appropriate regulatory agencies, including the Spills Action Centre and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
The volume of water leaked is estimated to be small – less than one cubic metre – some of which was recovered and put back into containment. A radiological scan of the soil where the water leaked indicated that the effect on the environment was negligible.
At no time was there a risk to the safety of workers or the public. An investigation into the cause of the leak is underway.
Port Granby, February 2, 2018
Further to CNL’s January 25 disclosure of water flowing from a legacy ground and surface water collection reservoir at the Port Granby Waste Management Facility, CNL confirms that there was no direct discharge to Lake Ontario. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the estimated volume of water released was between 2.5 and 7 cubic metres.
Water and soil samples, collected in accordance with industry best practices and sent to an accredited third-party laboratory for analysis, are within the range expected for this area. These results confirm that at no time was there a risk to the health or safety of workers or the public and that the effect on the environment was negligible.
Remedial actions have been implemented to prevent a recurrence.
Port Granby, January 25, 2018
On January 23, 2018, project staff performing surveillance walk-downs discovered water flowing from a legacy ground and surface water collection reservoir on the site of the Port Granby Waste Management Facility, which is currently being remediated. Immediately upon discovery, the water pumping system was turned off to stop the flow of water to the collection reservoir, and an investigation was initiated. It is estimated that approximately 10 to 15 cubic metres of water flowed from the collection reservoir to the bluffs at the south end of the site.
At no time was there a health or safety risk to workers or the public, and the results of independent analysis of water samples taken at the reservoir are expected to show that the effect on the environment was negligible.
CNL proactively notified the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Canada and the municipalities of Clarington and Port Hope. The investigation continues, and an update to this public disclosure notice will be provided when more information becomes available.
2017
Port Hope, September 26, 2017
CNL has received confirmation from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) that it has met the terms and conditions of the Commission’s July 7, 2017 Order.
The Order was issued to CNL after legacy treatment ponds overflowed at the Port Hope Project Long-Term Waste Management Facility, as publicly disclosed on June 25 (see below). Immediately following the event, CNL initiated a thorough review of all water management plans and procedures for the site.
CNL has taken all actions necessary to enhance its water management plans for the Port Hope Project to prevent a recurrence. These actions are in alignment with the July 7 CNSC Order.
Port Hope, July 28, 2017
Further to CNL’s June 25 disclosure of an overflow of untreated surface water from legacy collection ponds at the Port Hope Project Long-Term Waste Management Facility, analysis of water samples collected on discovery of and following the event are provided below. The water samples were collected in accordance with industry best practices and sent to an accredited third-party laboratory for analysis.
Click on image to enlarge
The results were compared to the provincial and federal criteria for the protection of aquatic life and confirm that the effect on Brand Creek downstream of the facility was negligible. Brand Creek flows south from Clark’s Ditch for approximately three kilometres and ends at Lake Ontario.
Elevated levels of arsenic and uranium observed in Clark’s Ditch, which flows into Brand Creek, are similar to levels in the baseline studies conducted as part of the 2005 Port Hope Project Environmental Assessment. The water quality of Clark’s Ditch will be improved as the Port Hope Project progresses.
CNL takes its obligation to protect the environment very seriously and continues to monitor closely water quality and levels at the Port Hope Project Long-Term Waste Management Facility.
Port Hope, June 28, 2017
Further to CNL’s June 25 disclosure, mitigation measures put in place at the
Port Hope Facility remain effective. The results of independent analysis of water samples collected offsite were measured against the provincial and federal criteria for the protection of aquatic life and confirm that the effect on the environment was negligible.
Port Granby, June 25, 2017
As a result of extreme weather and record rainfall in the Durham Region and Northumberland County, on June 23, 2017, surface water overflowed from a catch basin in the East Gorge on the site of the existing Port Granby Waste Management Facility, located on the south side of Lakeshore Road. A small volume of untreated ground/surface water, estimated to be between two and five cubic metres, flowed from the catch basin to Lake Ontario during this short-lived event.
At no time was there a health or safety risk to workers or the public, and the results of independent analysis of water samples taken at the catch basin are expected to show that the effect on the environment was negligible, as the overflow had been diluted significantly by the heavy rainfall.
CNL proactively notified the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and will continue to provide updates to this disclosure notice as more information becomes available.
Port Hope, June 25, 2017
As a result of extreme weather and record rainfall in the Northumberland County and Durham Region, storm water collection ponds at the Port Hope Long-Term Waste Management Facility reached and exceeded storage capacity. At approximately 9:30 a.m. on June 23, 2017, water overflowed from the storm water management ponds, then flowed over ground to Clark’s Ditch and Brand Creek, which lead to Lake Ontario.
On discovery of the event, CNL immediately implemented measures to contain the collection pond water, including placing sand bags to divert the overflow water into a storm water catch basin on the site and installing additional pumps to decrease the amount of water stored in the ponds. By 12 noon the overflow had decreased substantially, and by 2:00 p.m. it had ceased entirely.
An independent analysis of water samples collected from the storm water management pond overflow indicated that contaminant levels were close to discharge objectives accepted by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). The heavy rain would have diluted the storm water such that contaminant levels in Brand Creek and Lake Ontario are considered to have been negligible.
On June 24, CNL took additional precautionary measures to ensure that no surface water from other sources was entering the storm water catch basin by constructing an earthen berm.
CNL will provide updates on the June 23 event as more information becomes available.
Port Granby, May 31, 2017
On May 30, 2017, a fire alarm sounded inside the Port Granby Project Waste Water Treatment Plant building located on Elliott Road in the Municipality of Clarington. In accordance with CNL’s emergency protocol, all workers immediately evacuated the building. Clarington Emergency and Fire Services were automatically dispatched as a result of the alarm and arrived at the site promptly. Fire services personnel inspected the building and determined that the event was a false alarm.
CNL has engaged a contractor to inspect the fire alarm system and perform any maintenance/repairs that may be required.
At no time was there any risk to the safety of workers, the public or the environment as a result of the false alarm. CNL has proactively notified the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission of this event.
Port Granby, April 21, 2017
On April 17, 2017, during a routine inspection, CNL was made aware of a leak in an underground pipe at the Port Granby Project Long-Term Waste Management Facility site. Upon discovery of the leak, the pipe was isolated to stop the flow of water, which was being pumped from the existing waste management facility for treatment at the Port Granby Project Waste Water Treatment Plant. The leak resulted in untreated water being released on the site. Upon investigation, the source of the leak was identified and repaired, and the pipe was put back in service on April 19, 2017.
Port Granby, March 9, 2017
Excavation of historic low-level radioactive waste at the Port Granby Waste Management Facility has resumed, following a temporary suspension of waste movement activities.
On December 1, 2016, CNL proactively suspended its Port Granby Project contractor’s waste excavation and placement work when two equipment operators experienced minor physical symptoms during waste placement activities. CNL directed the contractor to conduct a thorough review of the event and the existing plans and practices related to waste movement, and to institute measures to prevent a recurrence.
Subsequently, the contractor put in place enhancements to site health and safety plans and procedures, including additional training and equipment for worker safety. As a result, CNL determined that excavation of historic low-level radioactive waste at the Port Granby Waste Management Facility could safely resume.
Port Granby, January 23, 2017
CNL reports that an early warning system alarm was triggered on Friday, January 13, 2017 in one of the process rooms inside the Port Granby Project Waste Water Treatment Plant. The alarm indicated that elevated levels of hydrogen sulphide gas were present. Hydrogen sulphide is a typical by-product of wastewater collection and treatment processes.
Upon hearing the alarm, all personnel followed procedure and exited the building immediately. As a precaution, two workers sought medical evaluation. Both were cleared to return to work.
There were no off-site effects, and at no point was there a threat to the safety of the public. CNL has proactively notified the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission of this event.
2016
Port Granby, December 5, 2016
During waste placement at the new Port Granby Long-Term Waste Management Facility on Thursday, December 1, 2016, a strong ammonia-like odour was detected at the worksite. Two workers experienced symptoms such as irritation to eyes and throat, and nausea. These workers were evaluated by emergency room physicians on Dec. 1, and both were released and cleared to return to work.
The historic low-level radioactive waste at the existing Port Granby Waste Management Facility consists of by-products of the uranium refining operations of the former Eldorado Nuclear Ltd., including a variety of chemical waste, industrial refuse and contaminated soil. The waste is buried in trenches throughout the site. Early indications are that a leaking drum was the source of the ammonia-like odour. There is no indication that the leaked substance had any offsite effects, and there was no threat to the public.
Waste excavation and placement activities have been suspended at the
Port Granby site while CNL and its contractor conduct a thorough review of this event and the plans and procedures in place to prevent a recurrence. Other work not related to waste excavation continues.
Updates to this notice will be provided as more information becomes available.
Port Granby, April 21, 2016
On March 31, 2016, during construction activities at the Port Granby Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Facility, a break in a shallow underground pipe occurred. This resulted in a small quantity of untreated ground/surface water entering the treated effluent discharge system and being released to Lake Ontario. Within 30 hours of detection of this unplanned event, the visible source of the untreated water was identified, and repairs were made to the underground pipe on April 1. Water samples were collected for independent analysis.
On April 15, 2016 these sampling results confirmed that the water was impacted by contaminated soils at the site. The impact to the environment is considered negligible, and there was no threat to workers and the public. Ongoing sampling has confirmed that the quality of treated effluent released from the site continues to meet the requirements of the Port Granby Project Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission licence held by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL).
Further monitoring and corrective actions are being taken to prevent a recurrence. These include isolating similar pipes at the site and ensuring workers exercise increased vigilance when working around existing infrastructure. Additionally, the new Port Granby Project Waste Water Treatment Plant, which was put into service last month, is proving highly effective in removing contaminants from waste water, greatly exceeding the performance of the former plant and resulting in a significant environmental improvement.