1. We are WSP
  2. What we do
  3. Projects
  4. Restoring Port Hope

A vision for a cleaner, safer tomorrow

In Port Hope, Ontario, WSP is supporting one of Canada’s most ambitious environmental remediation projects - the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI). With a legacy of historic low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) left behind by past refining activities, this initiative represents a massive effort to restore the land, secure future generations, and create sustainable community spaces. WSP’s role in executing critical remediation and construction work has helped transform contaminated sites into clean, vibrant areas that will benefit residents for decades to come.

Location

  • Port Hope, Ontario, Canada

Project Status

  • Ongoing

The challenge: A legacy of contamination

For decades, the Municipality of Port Hope was home to operations that led to the deposition of LLRW across various sites, including residential areas, commercial zones, and natural landscapes. To clean up these once-contaminated areas and ensure environmental integrity, the Canadian federal government launched the PHAI, with WSP as a contract partner undertaking key remediation and construction efforts to bring this vision to life.

WSP has played an integral role across multiple PHAI projects, applying cutting-edge techniques and adaptive strategies to overcome complex environmental challenges:

Waterworks West: Revitalizing a natural and recreational space

The Waterworks West site, near Port Hope’s West Beach, contained contaminated soils that posed environmental risks. WSP removed 14,027 cubic meters of LLRW - more than triple the original scope. Water management was a significant challenge due to the site's proximity to a creek. However, innovative soil conditioning techniques using Portland cement allowed excavation without disrupting the natural water flow. Today, the area has been restored with green spaces, and additional plans are under review to develop a fish habitat in collaboration with Indigenous groups, as well as install a new playground for the community.

Port Granby: Engineering a sustainable future

The Port Granby site required the excavation of 1.3 million tonnes of LLRW near the Lake Ontario shoreline.

To ensure safe relocation of this material to an engineered containment facility, WSP deployed advanced erosion and water management solutions, including eight lake tanks - each capable of holding 6.4 million liters of water - and 20,000 tonnes of rip-rap stone to prevent sediment loss.

Now fully restored into a naturalized landscape, the surrounding land is being considered for a future nature reserve based on engagement with local Indigenous communities and organizations.

Port Hope Harbour and Centre Pier: Revitalizing a historic waterway

As of January 2025, 82,000 cubic meters of LLRW and industrial waste had been removed from the harbor through collaboration with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) who is undertaking the PHAI on behalf of the Government of Canada, WSP shifted from hydraulic dredging to mechanical dredging, significantly improving waste removal efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. A specialized crawler crane with a custom clam shell bucket was deployed to optimize sediment removal.

Upon completion, the harbor and Centre Pier will be turned over to the Municipality of Port Hope to potentially support recreational and tourism activities.

Small scale sites: Restoring residential and community spaces

The remediation of privately owned properties focused on restoring residential properties impacted by contamination. WSP has remediated and restored over 40 properties in 2023 alone, managing the process through a phased approach that maintains efficiency while reducing disruption to homeowners. Community engagement was carefully coordinated in partnership with CNL, ensuring that homeowners were actively involved in the design and approval process. Each remediated property has been fully restored and returned to its owner, creating safe and livable spaces for families.

Overcoming challenges with expertise and collaboration

Executing a project of this scale presents numerous technical and logistical challenges. WSP’s ability to adapt and innovate has been critical to ensuring timely and effective remediation. Some of the key challenges and solutions include:

  • Managing unforeseen waste volumes: Many excavation sites contained significantly more LLRW than originally estimated, requiring rapid adaptation of excavation plans and sequencing work in a “celled approach” to maintain project timelines.

  • Water management: At Waterworks West and Port Granby, elevated groundwater levels posed risks to excavation. WSP introduced water diversion techniques, dewatering pumps, and advanced containment tanks to keep operations on track.

  • Winter construction and harsh conditions: In Port Hope Harbour, freezing temperatures impacted marine work. WSP implemented wave attenuators and custom anchoring systems to stabilize excavation efforts year-round.

 

Point Hope PHAI
A radiation protection technician is performing a Remediation Verification Standard Operating Procedure (RVSOP) to verify that remediation efforts have been successful.

 

Beyond just remediation, WSP’s work ensures that Port Hope is future-ready. The project is more than an environmental cleanup - it’s a restoration of community assets, a safeguard for future generations, and a model for sustainable land use. With plans for new parks, fish habitats, and natural reserves, the work done today will benefit Port Hope residents for decades to come. 

By combining technical expertise with a commitment to sustainability, WSP is leaving a lasting legacy - one where communities can reclaim and thrive in their environment once more.

 

 

Meet the Visioneer

Victoria McFarland, Environmental Manager

As Environmental Manager, Victoria oversees the development and implementation of the environmental program across several large-scale remediation projects. Her role is pivotal in ensuring compliance with all contractual, legislative, permitting, and reporting requirements. Victoria fosters a culture of open dialogue within her environmental team, encouraging the sharing of lessons learned across sites. This collaborative approach not only drives continuous improvement but also ensures consistent, high-quality deliverables for the client.

The most meaningful aspect of working on the Port Hope Area Initiative is overcoming unique environmental challenges stemming from continuously evolving project scopes. It’s rewarding to lead a multidisciplinary team that’s eager to support the development and implementation of effective, client-focused solutions.

Other challenges that we have overcome