Canada is pushing forward with a massive nuclear waste storage project in Ontario. With a $3.2 billion budget and decades of planning behind it, the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) is moving ahead in the rural township of South Bruce. Kiewit and WSP have been selected to lead the engineering, design, and early construction phases.

The project is being managed by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), which is responsible for long-term nuclear fuel storage across Canada. The goal is to safely isolate spent nuclear fuel nearly 2,600 feet underground in a thick limestone formation. The material will be enclosed in specially engineered containers, designed to last thousands of years without leaking into the environment.

Multiple barrier system for holding nuclear waste. Image sourced from Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

Canada’s nuclear waste project is built for long-term safety

Unlike surface storage facilities that require regular maintenance, this repository is designed to be a permanent solution. Once the used fuel is buried and sealed, the site will require little ongoing human intervention. 

The location in South Bruce was chosen after years of scientific studies and public consultation. Local support played a large role in the decision. More than 200 public meetings were held, and NWMO has worked to build trust with the community by sharing environmental research and guaranteeing the project meets strict safety standards. If all goes according to plan, construction will begin in earnest in the early 2030s, after licensing and environmental assessments are complete.

The work being done now by Kiewit and WSP includes designing the underground tunnels, planning out the logistics for transporting the nuclear material, and creating surface facilities for handling and monitoring the fuel before burial. It’s a multi-phase job that will stretch across decades, but both companies bring the kind of experience needed for a build of this size.

Deep geological repository rendering map. Image sourced from Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

The repository will be capable of holding over five million used fuel bundles from nuclear reactors across the country. These bundles will be placed into containers, which are then surrounded by layers of protective clay and rock. 

Why this nuclear waste project matters more than ever

Beyond its technical aspects, the DGR will bring construction jobs and long-term investment to South Bruce. Local training programs and construction contracts are already in development. NWMO has committed to working with nearby communities on workforce development and environmental monitoring.

With thoughtful design and careful planning this nuclear waste project will address the large-scale problem of dealing with nuclear waste. With Canada poised on generating more power using nuclear technology like the Darlington SMR nuclear project, waste is going to accumulate unless we have a safe way of disposing of it. For trade workers in Ontario, it’s also a rare opportunity to be part of a large scale project that will pay well. 

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