Ausenco put together a team of technical experts with the proven ability to develop rigorous management decision-making tools to appropriately characterize, classify and prioritize remediation costs for all sites the City of Vancouver deemed responsible.
Overview
Ausenco was retained to assist the City of Vancouver with PS3260 Compliance Support and to design a program to identify contaminated sites within the scope of the new Public Sector Accounting Standard (PSAS). This project involved the completion of multiple and concurrent Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs). The final phase of this project included generating probable costs for each site to further investigate, physically remediate or risk assess, and ultimately prepare a submission package for a BC Ministry of Environment Instrument. We completed a preliminary remedial options assessment with costs to support these deliverables.
Approach
Phase I ESAs were completed at eight city-owned, non-productive sites. The assessments were completed in general accordance with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z768-01 for Phase I ESAs. The types of sites assessed ranged from vacant and vegetated properties to sites that were once used for heavy industrial uses.
Based on the results of the Phase I ESAs, four of the properties were carried forward and Phase II ESAs were completed. The ESAs consisted of soil, groundwater, and soil vapour assessments at each site. Each site had complex logistical challenges, which included permitting, drilling in high-profile areas (on streets, near public areas and parks), and complex geological conditions. Multiple drilling methods were used, including sonic, odex and air rotary, and limited access rigs. Project efficiencies were realized by completing this work concurrently, with consistent staffing. We successfully completed the Phase II ESAs under a limited timeframe.
Results
Ausenco put together a team of technical experts with the proven ability to develop rigorous management decision-making tools to appropriately characterize, classify and prioritize remediation costs for all sites the City of Vancouver deemed responsible. This project demonstrates Ausenco’s ability to deliver multiple and concurrent Phase I and II ESA projects under a tight timeline, sample multi-media, project manage and complete remediation planning activities. We understood the requirements of the Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) process and advised the City of Vancouver on appropriate paths forward for each site.