Waste management and its role in the Canadian fuel cycle

Used fuel from the CANDU-PHW reactor is safely stored in water-filled pools at the reactor site. Methods have been developed for long-term storage if this is required. The research and development program leading to the demonstration of safe, permanent disposal of immobilized wastes deep underground in stable rock formations is outlined. The program is designed to maintain the option of disposing of the used fuel itself or of disposing of processing wastes should Canada decide to recover and recycle the fissile material to extend fuel resources.