A Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) is a porous wall or zone of remedial compounds which treats contaminated groundwater as it flows naturally through the subsurface. The barrier captures and removes contaminants while allowing clean groundwater to pass through.
A PRB can be customized based on contaminant type, concentration, and site-specific conditions. Every PRB installed by AEL is based on a tailor-made PRB system to fit the specific remedial needs of each unique project.
Benefits of a PRB
The main benefit of a PRB is its cost-effectiveness. Rather than treating all the contaminated groundwater spread throughout a large area – a process which can be time consuming, expensive, and often overdesigned – a PRB treats contamination at a focused location.
Additional benefits include:
- Reduced installation cost and timeline compared to a full-scale remediation
- Passive treatment using natural groundwater flow for long-term effectiveness
- Scalability – can be used as a single barrier or as part of a larger remedial system
- Lower maintenance needs once installed
AEL can help determine the most efficient PRB design to protect your property and budget
How Can a PRB Help You?
If you have a contaminated property, potential off-site migration of contaminants is a major concern. It can lead to:
- Costly lawsuits from neighbouring property owners
- Regulatory cleanup orders from the Government of Ontario
- Difficulty securing financing, as lenders will not support contaminated sites
The good news is, a PRB may be a great option to mitigate these concerns. PRBs installed in strategic locations can prevent contamination from leaving your site without you having to spend all the money on a more costly full-site remediation. In many cases, pairing a PRB with Source Removal or Risk Assessment can be sufficient to get a Record of Site Condition or financing, and can significantly increase property value, making your property more marketable.
A variety of remediation strategies may be used in conjunction with a PRB, depending on the type of contamination and site constraints. When deciding how to treat a contaminated property, many factors must be considered, including project timeline, desired outcomes, budget, potential for off-site migration, and other technical design items. To determine how to best treat the contamination at your property, ask AEL for a Remedial Action Plan (RAP).
Don’t let contamination hold back your property value. Ask AEL about PRB solutions designed for your site.
Take the Next Step with AEL Environment
Whether you are facing lender requirements, regulatory pressure, or simply want to safeguard your investment, a PRB may be the right solution for your site, investment and peace of mind.
