Ontario Power Generation

How Waste is Managed

Western Waste Management Facility (WWMF)
The WWMF stores all the low and intermediate level nuclear waste from the operation of OPG's 20 nuclear reactors, including those leased to Bruce Power. In addition, the facility provides dry fuel storage for the Bruce reactors.

Low level storage building #11 was completed in June 2009 on budget and on time. One of these buildings is built on the WWMF site about every two years to hold low level waste from the Darlington, Pickering and Bruce Power Nuclear Stations.

Darlington Waste Management Facility (DWMF)
The DWMF provides dry fuel storage for the Darlington Nuclear reactors. The facility began operating in 2007 to provide storage for approximately 500 Dry Storage Containers (DSCs). New DSC storage buildings will be constructed as additional storage space is required, about every five to seven years.

Pickering Waste Management Facility (PWMF)
The PWMF has provided dry fuel storage for the Pickering Nuclear reactors since 1994.

OPG is adding a second phase to its existing Pickering Waste Management Facility on the Pickering Nuclear site. Additional capacity for storage of used fuel is needed to support the continued operation of the station. This second phase will use the dry storage process, a proven, safe and regulated technology that has been in use at Pickering Nuclear since 1994.

By June 30, 2009 the third building to store used fuel at the PWMF was ready to receive loaded DSCs from the Pickering Nuclear stations. In addition to design, construction and commissioning, the project also involved a site inspection visit by the CNSC.

Licensed and Regulated
All OPG waste management facilities are licensed and regulated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). (The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to safeguard health and the environment, to insure safety and security, and to respect Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.)