Proposed nuclear facility – Near Surface Disposal Facility
The Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) is a proposed engineered disposal facility for low-level radioactive waste that would be built on the Chalk River Laboratories site. The facility would be a mound, built at near-surface level, consisting of disposal cells with a base liner and cover as well as systems to collect leachate, detect leaks and monitor the environment. The NSDF would have an expected operating life of at least 50 years.
All waste to be disposed at the facility would be required to meet established waste acceptance criteria to assure compliance with operational and long-term safety requirements.
Photo: courtesy of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
| Location: | Deep River, Ontario on the Chalk River Laboratories campus |
|---|---|
| Licensee: | Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) |
| Status: | Application under review |
| Facility website: | CNL’s Near Surface Disposal Facility webpage |
Latest news
- April 18, 2023 - Update on the Near Surface Disposal Facility Project
- July 5, 2022 - News Release: Commission seeks additional information regarding Indigenous consultation, for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ application to authorize construction of a near surface disposal facility
- February 22, 2022 - Update on the near surface disposal facility project
- October 28, 2021 - Notice of public hearing on Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ application to amend its Chalk River Laboratories site licence
- August 3, 2021 - CNSC announces fall webinar series
- July 2, 2021 - CNSC accepts CNL’s final Environmental Impact Statement
- March 23, 2021 - Spring 2021 update on the Near Surface Disposal Facility project
Commission proceedings
The Commission is an independent administrative tribunal set up at arm's length from government, without ties to the nuclear industry.
Regulatory actions
The CNSC posts regulatory enforcement actions taken to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment. Find out about any orders or penalties placed on a particular licensee.
Disclosure
Licensees must report events and incidents involving licensed activities that could impact the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment to the CNSC. Find any information provided by a specific licensee, if any, as well as other public disclosures made by licensees.
Protecting Canadians and the environment
Environment
The CNSC uses information provided by licensees to create its own reports assessing the environmental effects of nuclear facilities or licensed activities.
- Environmental assessment documents:
- Environmental monitoring: Independent environmental monitoring results collected at Chalk River Laboratories
- Federal, provincial and municipal monitoring programs: List of monitoring programs managed by other levels of government
- Radionuclide releases: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories dataset in the Open Government catalogue
Health and safety
The CNSC oversees licensee emergency planning, and works with other levels of government to ensure the health and safety of Canadians. It also conducts and reviews health studies on various areas associated with the production, possession or use of nuclear substances.
- CNSC health studies on Canadian nuclear facilities: Relevant health studies of CNSC-regulated nuclear reactors
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