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Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories supplies a steady source of tritium to the Ottawa River. Tritium is a form of radioactive hydrogen. It can cause cancer, genetic mutation, and harm to embryos. Our water filtration plants are not designed to remove tritium, so we must take a precautionary approach when it comes to setting guidelines for our drinking water.
Canada’s guideline for tritium in drinking water (7,000 Bq/l) is several thousand times higher than those of other countries. Other jurisdictions such as the European Union use 100 Bq/l. The scientific advisory committee that reviewed the evidence in Ontario in 1994 recommended guidelines be set at 20 Bq/l.
In late March, the Ontario Drinking Water Advisory Council heard from public interest groups on the topic of tritium and they are expected to recommend a new water quality standard for the substance.
OCWAC’s Public Consultation Meeting on Tritium
In the Upper Ottawa Valley, SRB Technologies specializes in processing tritium for light sources. It is one of the three Chalk River facilities.
Last year, Ottawa Riverkeeper recommended to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) that SRB Technologies should not be given licence to add water polluted with tritium into Pembroke’s sewage treatment plant, which discharges into the Ottawa River. We are relieved that SRB Technologies is currently unable to process tritium at their site.
Unfortunately, SRB Technologies is applying to the CNSC to re-instate their licence to process tritium at their Pembroke plant. Ottawa Riverkeeper is reviewing SRBT’s submission to the regulators and will be applying for intervener status to go on record at the public hearing that will take place June 12, 2008.
SRBT president updates city finance committee on tritium situation
Marie Zettler, The Pembroke Daily Observer – March 5, 2008
For further information on Ontario’s standard on tritium in drinking water: ODWAC’s Tritium Standard Review