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Southwest Environmental Limited
Suite 2201, 250 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario , Canada M5B 2L7

Phone: 647 794 0233             Email: swenviro+toronto@gmail.com

Environmental Consultancy Services to Industry, Business and Individuals

Geo-Environmental Consultants

There are 4 stages typically employed in the investigation and remediation of contaminated land.

Phase 1 Environmental Site Investigation

This refers to the "desk top" phase of an investigation that is the collection and review of secondary data.

To oversimplify, if the site used to be a glue factory then you will probably need to conduct a phase 2 investigation, if the site is (and always has been) a field in the middle o no where then you chances of just requiring a Phase 1 Investigation are dramatically increased.

If the site was a glue factory or tannery then this information will be used to scope the phase 2 investigation in terms of the number of samples and the contaminants that are tested for. 

Phase 2 Environmental Site Investigation

If there is cause to carry out a site investigation, it does not means that the site is certainly contaminated. The requirement for a Phase 2 following recommendations of  Phase 1 just means there is potential for contamination.

The classic examples is where you have a modern building with modern drainage, carrying out a "dirty" activity. There is a good chance the ground will not be contaminated (provided no previous use) because the solid floors, and sealed drainage systems have prevented the ingress of contaminates in to the soil.

Soil samples are collected at various depths and tested for a selection of contaminants, metals, PAHs and TPCs is a popular suite, and for this the land can be assed as whether it is fit for use.

Stage 3 & 4

If the results shows that the land is not fit for use then it will need to be cleaned up if, you wish to develop. And then after it has been cleaned up, the clean up will have to be verified.

Guides

Northwest Territories - Guideline for Contaminated Site Remediation