A Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is where an environmental consultant visits a site to investigate Areas of Potential Environmental Concern (APECs) that were identified through a Phase 1 ESA to characterize the site.
Generally, a Phase 2 investigation consists of soil and groundwater sampling on a subject site. In Ontario, the requirements for Phase 2 investigation are guided by O. Reg. 153/04, which specifies the appropriate scope of work based on the APECs identified at the site. The source of a contaminant of concern (COC) for a given APEC along with its chemical properties are also used to inform the sampling and analysis plan (SAP) for that area.
Prior to Commencing On-Site Work
AEL will coordinate the location of underground services, and planned positions for the drilling and installation of monitoring wells, as informed by the APECs identified in the Phase One, while taking care to minimize unnecessary damage to the site.
A Qualified Person (QP) (i.e., P.Eng. or P.Geo.) must characterize the site appropriately to gain a clear understanding of site conditions before determining borehole locations/depths and monitoring well positions and after when interpreting site data obtained. The accuracy, completeness and applicability of information gained from a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) depends on the assessor’s depth of understanding of the client and site goals when preparing the scope of work (SOW).
On-Site Phase 2 ESA Activities
A member of AEL’s environmental consulting team will oversee the drilling and installation of monitoring wells by a licensed drilling company (per Regulation 903 in Ontario), while logging soil stratigraphy and collecting subsurface soil samples.
To supplement data obtained in a Phase 2 investigation, AEL employs on-site testing where samples are screened in near real-time with field instrumentation, including ultraviolet fluorescence (UVF), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), and photoionization detectors (PID). Screening data provides AEL with a better understanding of site conditions and informs the sample selection process for laboratory analysis.
Laboratory results are interpreted by AEL’s senior engineers and environmental scientists based on the appropriate site standard. It is the task of the AEL team to determine which standards are relevant to our client’s property while considering their goals for a site.
Throughout a Phase 2 investigation, AEL uses strict quality assurance and quality control procedures (QA/QC) in all areas of site work, data analysis, and reporting, which include:
- Decontamination of sampling equipment or single-use samplers (e.g., geoprobe sample tubes) to reduce potential cross-contamination
- Unique sample barcode identifications to track samples through collection, analysis, and reporting, and to avoid data transposition errors and reference number duplication
- Ensuring appropriate sample collection, preservation, storage and hold times
- Providing appropriate field duplicates and blanks as per the regulation and/or applicable site investigation standards, including field blanks and duplicates
Learn more about Phase Two Environmental Site Assessments within O.Reg 153/04 below.
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What Our Customers Have To Say
In my two decades plus as a specialist in Environmental Law, I have dealt with numerous environmental consulting firms right across Canada, and from big to small, Not all of them are able to deal with sophisticated scientific questions and not all of the ones with greater scientific skills are practical. AEL Environment have the necessary science skills and their advice is always practical. They have never failed to help me and my clients.
Michael Peterson, Environmental Law
Sky Counsel Group
Our Process
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1. Discover
Every property is unique. We will listen carefully and seek clarity to ensure we understand your site’s unique details and goals.
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2. Identify
We will recommend an optimal approach, innovative and cost-effective services and solutions for your site, focused on achieving your desired outcome.
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3. Analyze
Once authorized, we will complete the required research, testing, consulting or reports to required standards. We take the time to review any results and reports together.