Building on the tremendous success of the first “Smart Remediation” conference last year, organizers have been planning an event for this year.  You can get all the details by clicking Smart Remediation.

The MOE (Ministry of Environment) and the APGO (Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario) have both issued final versions of their documents related to the new RSC regulations.  We have enclosed links below for both:

MOE -  Guide for Completing Phase Two Environmental Site Assessments under Ontario Regulation 153/04

APGO – Guidance for Environmental Site Assessments under Ontario Regulation 153/04 (as amended)

In addition, some changes were made to Regulation 153/04 – in order to make sure you are referring to the most up to date version, you can click on the e-laws version of the regulation.

By all accounts, the SMART conference was a resounding success.  With over 100 people attending, it was a great venue for learning, networking, and information exchange.  The talks were very topical and of significant interest to those people involved in soil and groundwater remediation.  For details on the conference, topics, and speakers, click conference information.  Contact the organizers if you would like to be on the mailing list for future sessions.

A new video describing the operation of the Port Lands Pilot Soil Recycling Facility has been released by Waterfront Toronto.  It’s an interesting video and provides a glimpse of what could become a much larger operation.  You can watch the video by clicking this link.

Maxxam has released a technical bulletin discussing problems with PHC analysis when naturally occurring organic compounds cause interferences.  You can read the bulletin by clicking Maxxam Technical Bulletin

The MOE has released a draft version of a technical guidance document on soil vapour intrusion.  The MOE indicates “The Guidance is intended to provide the user with a basic understanding of soil vapour intrusion and the tools required to identify review and evaluate sites for vapour intrusion with respect to contaminated sites.”  The MOE had an info session on this topic on January 27.

Because Kodiak Drilling specializes in drilling indoors, we have installed a lot of vapour probes and have developed some unique methods and equipment for their installation.  We will continue to monitor the MOE proposed methods to ensure we are providing equipment and methods that are technically defensible and consistent with their requirements.

After revising the document based on feedback, the MOE plans to post the document on the EBR for public comment.

Smart Methods in Advanced Remediation Technologies (SMART) is an upcoming conference specifically oriented towards soil and groundwater remediation.  The fast approaching half day seminar is affordably priced and will be held in Vaughan on Thursday Feb 17, 2011.  The organizers are hoping to use this vehicle for further technical information exchange and networking at subsequent sessions, both in Southern Ontario, and possibly other areas.  Kodiak Drilling will keep our contacts apprised of further developments with this group and provide any assistance we can to the organizers to help make it a successful venture.   You can get more information by clicking Smart Remediation

Kodiak Drilling is often installing monitoring wells for environmental consultants who are evaluating sites for petroleum hydrocarbon contamination.  Maxxam Labs has recently published an article related to F3 and F4 PHCs in groundwater.  Maxxam recommends the use of low flow sampling in silty conditions to prevent soil particles from being included in the sample.  You can read the article by clicking here.

There are a number of events upcoming that are related to soil and groundwater.  We have posted a few below:

Ontario Ground Water Association – Private Well Seminar Day – October 18 – click here for details

Waterfront Toronto Brownfields Breakfast Summit – October 27 – click here for details

Making Great Places – Canadian Brownfields 2010 – November 1-3 – click here for details

ECO Canada – Project Management Workshop Networking Luncheon & AGM – November 9 – click here for details

The APGO (Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario) has released its draft “Guidance for Environmental Site Assessments under Ontario Regulation 153/04 (as amended by Ontario Regulation 511/09).

The intent of this document is to assist Professional Geoscientists (P.Geo) with completing Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments in a manner that is consistent with the new regulation and consistent with good environmental geoscience practices.  The work was assisted by a funding grant provided by the MOE.  The APGO is currently circulating the document and soliciting feedback from the membership.  A copy of the document is available from the APGO website (click here to link to the document).