Contaminated Site Investigation
Environmental Site Assessments generally are performed in two stages, Phase I and Phase II. The decision to remediate or not will follow from the completion of both phases.
Phase I Site Investigation typically consists of:
- Gathering information about past and present uses of the site;
- Inspection of the site by an environmental professional, usually accompanied by someone familiar with the area;
- Reviewing environmental files maintained by the site owner and regulatory agencies;
- Preparing a report that identifies existing and potential sources of contamination on the property.
The result of a Phase I Site Investigation determines the need for further site investigation, i.e., if any type of intrusive sampling and analysis is required or not.
A Phase II Site Investigation focuses on gathering specific information on the site condition and can include the following tasks:
- Surface and subsurface soil sampling, groundwater and surface water sampling, soil vapour sampling (along with laboratory analysis), sediment sampling, collection of plant or aquatic species samples;
- Above/underground storage tank content and tightness testing, geomagnetic or geophysical surveys;
- Directly measuring conditions such as noise levels or radiation;
- Using environmental fate or transportation models to evaluate the potential migration of the contamination.
The result of a Phase II Site Investigation determines the need for a remedial work plan and may also allow the determination of weather conditions or events at the site are causing or likely to cause adverse effects; this will require notification to the appropriate regulatory authority.
