Category: Environmnetal Issues & Concerns

Should you find yourself in need of a consultant for environmental assessment or remediation, there are several things you should consider. The first step is to determine why you require an environmental consultant. A common reason is to conduct an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for purchase and/or financing of commercial and industrial properties; but it can also be required for regulatory compliance, or to address known or suspected contamination. The work required can become complex and expensive and it is imperative to confirm all regulatory, legal, financial and due diligence requirements. Costly remediation and loss of value at contaminated sites can turn your investment ‘nest-egg’ into a liability. It still amazes me the number of people that will invest millions of dollars in real estate, but refuse to spend the time and fees necessary to evaluate and understand their environmental risks.     Continue reading “Choosing an Environmental Consultant”

One of the questions I hear often from clients and property owners is “If we didn’t cause contamination, why should we worry about responsibility for it?” Fairness and common sense dictates that the responsible polluter should be held accountable; however, recent court rulings and ministerial orders show this is not always the case. The scenarios below demonstrate that apparently “innocent” third parties should indeed be worried.    Continue reading “The Polluter Always Pays; Don’t They?”

In my last post I discussed Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (or LUST) and their associated environmental and financial liabilities.  A properly conducted Phase 1 ESA should investigate the potential presence or likelihood of storage tanks at a Site.  Historical records can help uncover evidence of storage tanks, including: Fire Insurance Plans that graphically illustrate the location of historical tanks; City Directories which may list prior occupants such as service stations and fueling facilities; Site Plans and Building Permits may describe the installation a tank. Other private databases such as EcoLog ERIS provide records of Private or Retail Storage Tanks and spills. Continue reading “More Tales of LUST”

One of the common concerns I encounter when conducting Environmental Site Assessments is the potential presence of fuel or chemical storage tanks, specifically Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST). Although exact numbers are not readily available, there may be thousands of abandoned, out-of-service or forgotten Underground Storage Tanks (UST) across Canada, and each one presents a potential environmental liability.  Continue reading “Cautionary Tales of LUST”

In my last blog, I discussed the issue of Trihalomethanes (THM) including chloroform in groundwater in Ontario, and how THM-impacted groundwater can be problematic in obtaining a Record of Site Condition (RSC) under Ontario Regulation 153/04. Based on my experience with similar Sites, property owners and consultants may want to consider the following actions. Continue reading “Help! My Urban Ontario Property Is Contaminated By Drinking Water”