Fish populations are rebounding in the streams near the former tar ponds and coke ovens locations in Sydney, Nova Scotia, indicating positive progress following the extensive cleanup of decades-old steel and coal industry remnants in Cape Breton.
The $400 million remediation project was overseen by the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency, later incorporated into Nova Scotia Lands and now under Build Nova Scotia’s jurisdiction, responsible for monitoring water quality in the waterways flowing through the former industrial areas.
Donnie Burke, a senior director at the agency, highlighted the encouraging results from an independent engineering assessment, indicating the effectiveness of the remediation efforts. “We are observing stable or improved trends in all aspects, which is a fantastic development,” Burke remarked during a recent inspection.
The former coke ovens site, initially covered with leftover slag rock from the steel plant, and the tar ponds, once notorious as Canada’s most polluted waste site, were remediated by encapsulating the tar ponds in concrete. Additionally, Coke Ovens Brook, Wash Brook, and Muggah Creek underwent cleanup efforts, with surrounding sites landscaped to channel surface water into the streams, and groundwater from the coke ovens area treated before reintroduction into the waterways. Topsoil and grass cover the remediated sites.
The former tar ponds have been transformed into Open Hearth Park, featuring sports fields, playgrounds, walking paths, and open spaces. The coke ovens area now serves as an open field for recreational activities such as cricket, walking, and snowmobiling in winter.
Water quality tests indicate the tar ponds cap is secure without releasing toxins, while occasional spikes in heavy metals or industrial chemicals at the former coke ovens site, often post-heavy rainfall, are promptly identified by the monitoring system and adjusted during the water treatment process.
Ongoing monitoring, conducted through wells distributed across the sites, has shown a positive development with the return of a small fish species to the waterways. Provincial staff recently observed trout eggs and fry in Coke Ovens Brook, showcasing signs of aquatic life recovery.
Dr. Katherine Jones, a biologist at Cape Breton University, noted improvements in the health of mummichog fish residing in the former tar ponds, with a recent study indicating a reduction in previously identified health issues post-remediation.
Burke emphasized the government’s commitment to monitoring the sites for 25 years post-cleanup, with regular updates on Build Nova Scotia’s website. Approximately halfway through the monitoring period, the data suggests a positive trend in the remediated areas.
Further studies are warranted to assess the ongoing impact of the remediated industrial sites on local fish populations. Burke emphasized the importance of continued monitoring to ensure the sustained progress achieved since the cleanup efforts began.