“Brownfield properties are vacant or underutilized places where past industrial or commercial activities may have left contamination (chemical pollution) behind, including:
- factories
- gas stations
- waterfront properties (port lands) formerly used for industrial or commercial activities”
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Peritus provides a full range of environmental services relating to brownfield investigation and redevelopment. Our team of professionals includes scientists and engineers who have extensive experience with a variety of environmental solutions. Each brownfield property is unique and Peritus provides a solution that is tailored to the site and requirements of the client. If you have any questions about your brownfield property; feel free to contact us and we are more then happy to help.
Investigation of brownfield sites includes the identification of areas of potential contamination and subsurface work required to assess possible impacts to the soil and/or groundwater. Peritus provides recommendations to manage soil and/or groundwater impacts through remediation or a risk assessment.
Peritus regularly conducts Phase One Environmental Site Assessments for a variety of clients. Phase One Environmental Site Assessments can be required as part of the due diligence process for property and financial transactions or they can be the first step in a multi-stage environmental process. They are a non-intrusive investigation conducted by reviewing available historical documents, interviewing property owners and tenants and visually inspecting the site. Peritus uses the information gathered to determine the locations of potential and/or actual contamination (if any) and complete a report as required by the client. The Phase One Environmental Site Assessment work and report are conducted in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Regulation 153/04, as amended.
Peritus can also provide the additional information as required by the Canadian Standards Association standard Z768-01 for Phase One Environmental Site Assessments.
Sample Projects:
A Phase Two Environmental Site Assessment investigates the areas of potential environmental concern that were identified in the Phase One Environmental Site Assessment. The investigation includes the collection of soil and groundwater samples to determine whether or not there is any subsurface contamination. It also assesses the geology and hydrogeology of the site. Peritus has completed many Phase Two Environmental Site Assessments on a wide variety of sites.
The Phase Two Environmental Site Assessment is conducted in accordance with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Regulation 153/04, as amended and the client’s requirements.
Peritus can also provide the additional information as required by the Canadian Standards Association standard Z769-00 for Phase Two Environmental Site Assessments.
Sample Projects:
The Phase Two Environmental Site Assessment conducted at a site provides a detailed understanding of the degree and extent of contamination in the soil and/or groundwater. Often, remediation is required for redevelopment of a brownfield site. Peritus staff have a thorough understanding of environmental risks related to contaminated sites, which is essential for providing an economical remediation solution. There are many commercially available remediation technologies, with more emerging technologies added each year. In the right setting, each technological solution has the potential to be an optimal remedial option. The engineers and scientists at Peritus can assess each option and prepare an evaluation report that allows the client to confidently assess the merits of each option and select the one most appropriate for their property. Using the option selected, Peritus ensures the contaminated site is remediated so that it satisfies the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change site condition standards.
If remediation is not appropriate for a site, a Risk Assessment provides a cost effective and efficient alternative. Often, a Risk Assessment is used as an alternative to remediation or conducted in conjunction with strategic remediation.
Sample Projects:
Risk Assessments are conducted to evaluate the risks to human and ecological receptors from exposure to subsurface contamination. Based on the assessment of risks, Peritus can design a risk management solution that is fully protective of human health and the environment. The risk management measures reduce the risk from exposure to a level considered by the regulatory agencies to be safe. The engineers and project managers at Peritus have extensive experience in combining traditional civil construction methods with innovative environmental technologies to design and implement the most effective risk management measures for a site.
Peritus has over 25 years of experience specializing in Risk Assessments and effective risk management solutions.
Sample Projects:
In Ontario, obtaining a Record of Site Condition is often the final step in the environmental process. To obtain a Record of Site Condition, the site must undergo one or more of the following: Phase One Environmental Site Assessment, Phase Two Environmental Site Assessment, remediation and/or Risk Assessment. The Record of Site Condition is prepared and signed by a Qualified Person attesting to the fact that the site has been fully assessed. It is an essential stage in enabling a developer to begin construction.
Sample Projects:
Peritus staff have over 25 years of experience with subsurface environmental investigations, Phase One and Phase Two Environmental Sites Assessments, remediation strategies and Risk Assessments. Peritus provides expert opinions for the various facets of the brownfield investigation and redevelopment process. A peer review of the available reports and information can provide a second opinion and suggest any further action that may or may not be required.
Sample Projects:
Storage Tank Decommissioning
The decommissioning of underground storage tanks is a common requirement of aging tanks or property redevelopment. Peritus is very familiar with underground storage tanks and their impact on the environment. When an underground storage tank is removed, it is inspected for any obvious holes and decay. The surrounding soil is sampled to investigate the potential for contamination due to tank leakage and any contaminated soil is removed. A complete decommissioning report is provided to the client after the work is completed.