Algonquin leaders seek answers on toxic sewage discharge at nuclear lab – CBC

May 06, 2024

Incident ‘not related to radiological contaminants,’ Canadian Nuclear Laboratories says

Algonquin leaders are demanding accountability after learning Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) discharged toxic sewage at the Chalk River research hub along the Ottawa River this spring.

Chalk River’s sanitary sewage plant failed an “acute lethality test” in February, meaning the effluent, or treated wastewater discharge, was found to be toxic to fish.

CNL was depositing the toxic effluent into freshwater at the site between February and April, violating regulations and prompting action from enforcement officers, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) confirmed.

Kebaowek First Nation Chief Lance Haymond says he trusts neither ECCC nor the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to protect his members from hazards — radioactive or otherwise.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/algonquin-leaders-chalk-river-sewage-discharge-1.7193574