by John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Source: Telegraph-Journal
September 21, 2026

Point Lepreau nuclear plant. Photo: NB Power

NB Power says about 200 litres of radioactive heavy water gushed out of a broken instrumentation line earlier this month at its Lepreau nuclear plant, a dangerous problem that’s still under repair.

But the public utility insists no workers were exposed to heavy radiation in the  cleanup, a claim backed by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, which oversees the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station.

“Approximately 200 litres of heavy water was contained and collected in the reactor building as per station design,” wrote spokesperson Elizabeth Fraser-McAllister, in an email to Brunswick News on Monday. “There was no impact or safety risk to the public, staff, or the environment.”

Asked how many staff were involved in the cleanup and repair, the spokesperson didn’t give a firm number. However, she said trained and qualified station staff with specialized expertise entered the reactor building using personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate for the conditions.

Two hundred litres of water is about the amount that a standard-size bathtub would hold.

“Staff accessing the area where the leak was located completed their work under strict radiation protection and industrial safety controls, including specialized monitoring equipment and personal protective equipment,” Fraser-McAllister wrote. “There were no unplanned or unexpected exposures associated with this event. Worker safety remains our top priority.”

NB Power slow to respond

Critics have accused NB Power of downplaying the hazardous spill, detected on September 10th.

When Brunswick News asked early Friday morning whether the leak, first reported via a public news release on September 14th, was highly radioactive, it took NB Power nearly 10 hours to answer the question.

Blitzed with follow up questions, the utility took until Monday afternoon to provide more information.

On Monday, the utility said repairs were progressing.

“The work is being carried out methodically and in accordance with strict safety standards. We will provide updates as new information becomes available.”

In the meantime, the plant remains offline and won’t produce any electricity.

For earlier coverage, click here.

This story was written by John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Reporter with Brunswick News.