Fish have made a comeback in the streams near the former tar ponds and coke ovens sites in Sydney, Nova Scotia, signaling a positive development following the extensive cleanup of over a century’s worth of steel and coal industry remnants in Cape Breton.
The $400 million cleanup was overseen by the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency, which later merged into Nova Scotia Lands and now operates under Build Nova Scotia. This agency is responsible for monitoring water quality in the streams flowing through the former industrial areas.
Donnie Burke, a senior director at the agency, mentioned that results from an independent engineering firm confirm the effectiveness of the remediation efforts. He expressed satisfaction during a recent inspection, stating that the progress is either stable or showing improvement.
The coke ovens area was previously covered with slag rock from the old steel plant, while the tar ponds, notorious for being Canada’s most toxic waste site, were sealed with concrete. Additionally, Coke Ovens Brook, Wash Brook, and Muggah Creek underwent cleanup, and the surrounding areas were landscaped to channel surface water into the streams. Groundwater from the coke ovens site is treated before being discharged back into the streams.
Both sites were then landscaped with topsoil and grass. The former tar ponds have been transformed into Open Hearth Park, featuring sports fields, a playground, walking paths, and open spaces. The coke ovens site is now an open field used for cricket, walking, and snowmobiling in winter.
Water testing has revealed that the tar ponds cap has no toxic leaks. Although the former coke ovens site occasionally experiences spikes in heavy metals or industrial chemicals after heavy rainfall, the monitoring system promptly detects these issues, and the water treatment process is adjusted accordingly.
According to Burke, the monitoring of the sites will continue for 25 years post-cleanup, with regular updates published on Build Nova Scotia’s website. The monitoring process is halfway through, and the overall trend is positive.
Recent research from Cape Breton University indicates the return of small fish species to the streams, with trout eggs and fry observed in Coke Ovens Brook. Dr. Katherine Jones, a CBU biologist, noticed improvements in the health of mummichog fish living in the former tar ponds, with decreased bone and fin abnormalities post-cleanup.
Jones emphasized the need for further studies to evaluate the impact of the remediated sites on local fish populations. Burke echoed a commitment to ongoing monitoring and noted the encouraging trend observed so far.
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