Sydney Tar Ponds - Solution

Solution

After decades of study, the federal and Nova Scotia governments concluded that the best way to deal with the Sydney Tar Ponds is to stabilize, solidify, and contain the contaminated material. In January 2007, officials from Ottawa and the province announced a $400-million plan to solidify the toxic sludge using the Solidification / Stabilization (S/S) with Cement method. This technology was preferred over a controversial proposal to incinerate some of the 700,000 tonnes of sludge. Nordlys Environmental LP and ECC were awarded a $52-million contract in October 2009 to begin S/S operations.

Environmentalists and local residents continued to worry officials would incinerate some of the material, though Federal and provincial officials claimed the S/S method they had chosen would stabilize the 100-hectare site without producing any adverse health or environmental effects.

The first phase of the project was completed in mid-December 2009 and work will continue with Phase 2 in the spring of 2010. Eventually the area will be covered with an impermeable barrier, soil, and finally grass. Parts of the restored site may eventually be used for recreational purposes.