Waste repositories for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization
Nuclear Waste Management Organization
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Canada
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2006–Ongoing
20,000 m3 of waste to be stored.
First-of-its-kind repositories.
680 meters deep.
Challenge
- Safe, long-term storage was needed for the disposal of low-, intermediate-, and high-level nuclear waste produced at the Bruce, Darlington, and Pickering nuclear power generating stations.
- The disposal site for the high-level waste will be decided upon following conceptual design. Nine locations are still under consideration.
Solution
- Undertook a design study for the Deep Geologic Repository (DGR), which is a long-term disposal facility for the low- and intermediate-level waste (L&ILW).
- Preliminary engineering studies support the NWMO’s preparation of submissions to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for environmental approval and a construction license for the DGR.
- Designed the first high-level waste repository in North America, known as the Adaptive Phased Management (APM).
- The project will use the Hatch Nuclear Quality Management System, which complies with Canadian Standard Association’s nuclear facility management standard, CSA N286.
Highlights
- The DGR is the first low- and intermediate-level waste project of its kind in Canada.
- Waste at the DGR will be stored approximately 680 m underground in a stable limestone formation.
- The APM is the first high-level waste project in North America.