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 BHNCA requests information on radioactivity at Robert O. Pickard Environmental Center

Below is the city of Ottawa response to request for information in regards to radioactivity at Robert O. Pickard Environmental Center.

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With respect to operations at ROPEC, to date, the City's Haz-Mat Team, an independent Consultant (with expertise in the field of radioactivity) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) conducted numerous tests on the City biosolids and wastewater treatment plant in the last four days, including the biosolids rejected at the border. Not one test indicated the presence of radioactivity above normal and expected background levels, including the biosolids rejected at the border. It is important to recognize that radioactivity occurs naturally. This "normal" radioactivity is called the background. All tests conducted showed normal background levels of radioactivity.


It should be noted that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulates any business that uses radioactive material and must be licensed in order to operate. This license includes requirements related to waste disposal.

On February 4th, The CNSC issued a statement to summarize their position on the situation. It is available for view at the following web site: http://nuclearsafety.gc.ca/eng/mediacentre/issues/updates/  

Regarding previous monitoring efforts, radioactivity is not tracked through the wastewater treatment process. It is not required by current regulations. We are not aware of any other wastewater treatment plant that conducts this type of monitoring. We are continuing our research. A risk assessment analysis has been initiated to review our practice in order to improve our plant operations. In the meantime, we are testing all the biosolids produced and disposed of, until the situation is completely resolved.

ROPEC receives leachate from three different landfill sites. Preliminary results show no indication of radioactivity above background levels, i.e. the radioactivity naturally present in the environment. Leachate samples have been provided to a specialized laboratory for more detailed analysis. The results will be available in about one week.

Felice Petti
Acting Director; Water& Wastewater Services
City of Ottawa