Iterative approach to developing a Waste Acceptance Criteria for disposal

Abstract

The Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) is a planned Engineered Containment Mound for solid Low Level Radioactive Waste that will be located at the Chalk River Laboratories. The Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) specifies all of the requirements that Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) will use as decision limits for accepting/rejecting Low Level Waste (LLW) for disposal. This paper will focus on the development of the NSDF WAC.

The NSDF WAC ensures CNL meets its responsibility as the licensee; all waste received for disposal in the Facility is in compliance with the design and licensing basis, safety criteria and are commensurate with international experience. The NSDF WAC ensures the short-term and long-term protection of the public, the environment and workers.

As the NSDF has the potential to be the first LLW disposal facility approved in Canada for radioactive waste, it resulted in a dynamic and collaborative project in which many lessons learned can be applied to future, alike projects. The NSDF WAC was initially developed based on IAEA and CSA guidelines, benchmarking from existing facilities and provincial regulations. The NSDF WAC has been revised through an iterative process that has included incorporating feedback from: members of the public, waste generators, industry peers and the regulator.