The Town of Whitby has announed that the contamination in the harbour has been traced to an adjacent upstream property along Pringle Creek.
“Over time, the contaminated sediments were carried downstream into Whitby Harbour. The sediment in Whitby Harbour and a small area of Pringle Creek needs to be cleaned remediated to reduce potential risks,” said a town statement.
It said the Whitby Harbour remediation project is being completed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). “Work started this fall and will be complete in fall 2026.”
Whitby Harbour is federal property owned by DFO. The Town of Whitby leases the property for the Whitby Marina, and a portion is sub-leased to the Whitby Yacht Club.
This project is being undertaken because sediment at the bottom of the harbour contains levels high levels of chemicals called dioxins and furans that could be harmful to fish, birds, and humans
The town said remediation of the upstream properties along Pringle Creek was started in 2008 by the province. “Since the early 2000s, many environmental studies have been undertaken at Pringle Creek and Whitby Harbour to determine the extent and risks of the chemicals.
“The studies found that the risks to birds and mammals are low. The risks to humans and fish are moderate and need to be managed,” the town said.
Contaminated Sediment
It said contaminated sediment is being removed by hydraulic dredging and placed in a temporary de-watering area. De-watered materials will then be trucked off-site to a licensed disposal facility.
The area proposed for temporary de-watering is the portion of Victoria Field, north of the Gordon Street parking lot.
The dewatering area will be constructed with two layers of geotextile liners at the bottom and sides. The liners will act as an impermeable barrier to prevent any potential leaching into the ground.
DFO says information collected to date indicates composition of the dredged sediment will not result in air emission or odour issues during the drying process, the town said. The dredged sediment will stay wet while on site, meaning dust should not be an issue. If the sediment does dry out, a specialized fabric (geotextile) will be used as a cover to prevent dust.
Click here for more information on the project.
To share questions, concerns, or feedback, contact DFO by email at DFO.OPInfoWhitby.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or call 1-833-551-2702.
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