Standing as the cornerstone of one of Canada’s largest environmental cleanup efforts, the Port Hope Long-Term Waste Management Facility (LTWMF) was built to safely store and manage historic low-level radioactive waste generated by radium and uranium processing activities that begun in the 1930s.
Located south of Highway 401 between Brand and Baulch Roads, the LTWMF has steadily received contaminated materials excavated from across the Municipality of Port Hope since 2018, including the harbour, the municipal landfill, and residential properties. Currently the facility has accepted over 2.7 million tonnes of contaminated soil and related materials, representing a significant portion of the historic waste in Port Hope. This volume reflects both the scale of contamination left by early industrial practices and the magnitude of the federal government’s commitment to remediation.
As additional material is safely placed and compacted within the engineered cells, the mound continues to grow in height. It is now expected that on completion the final elevation will rise an additional estimated 15 to 20 feet above its current level.
Despite its size, the mound has been carefully designed to blend into its surroundings over time. Once waste placement is complete, the facility will be capped and closed with topsoil and vegetation enabling the area to be integrated into the local environment.
Long-term monitoring and maintenance will continue for decades, ensuring that the containment systems perform as intended and that the health of the community and ecosystem is protected.
The LTWMF is an engineered aboveground containment mound designed to isolate contaminated soil and materials from the surrounding environment. By incorporating multiple layers of natural and synthetic materials, the liners and cover systems work together to prevent the release of contaminants. The system is complemented by continuous environmental monitoring and an on-site wastewater treatment plant that ensures water discharged from the facility meets or exceeds stringent regulatory standards.
The LTWMF represents more than just a storage site, it is the culmination of decades of planning, community consultation, and engineering innovation. By consolidating and safely isolating contaminated materials in a single, secure location, the project is restoring lands across Port Hope while addressing an environmental legacy that spans nearly a century.
For more information on the LTWMF or the PHAI please contact us at [email protected] or 905.885.0291.
