Services

Phase 1 and 2 Environmental Sites Assessments

A Phase 1 ESA is carried out to identify evidence of actual or potential contamination on a property. It is an information collection process, site inspection, interviews and a written report. A Phase 1 ESA report clarifies the environmental liability risks associated with a property. Our reports satisfy CMHC requirements and the BC Ministry of Environment guidelines.

A Phase 2 ESA is an investigation of a property, where soil, groundwater and soil vapour samples are collected. The purpose of a Phase 2 investigation is to confirm the presence of contaminants or to demonstrate that a property is not contaminated.

Property Development Assistance

Site Profiles: Site Profiles are required when applying to the municipality for rezoning, subdivision, development permits and excavation permits. For many commercial and industrial sites, once the site profile is submitted to the municipality, it triggers a "freeze" on further municipal approvals.

Release for Demolition, Development, Rezoning and Subdivision: Once there is a "freeze" on a property, a release from the Ministry of Environment may be required to obtain further municipal approvals. The MOE has a specific process for releasing a site. The amount of environmental work that goes into releasing a site varies. We are experienced at facilitating this process to make it as smooth and timely as possible.

Remediation During Development: We will work with your excavation contractor to ensure your site is remediated before or during bulk excavation. We have a lot of experience coordinating our environmental work with the excavation contractor so that there are no delays in the construction schedule for environmental activities.

Wastewater Discharge During Construction and Erosion and sediment control monitoring: Many municipalities require erosion and sediment control measures be conducted during bulk excavation and construction. We have worked on sites in Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond and can help to obtain sanitary discharge permits in the case of a discharge of contaminated groundwater. We also function as third party site monitors to ensure that municipal erosion and sediment control guidelines are being met.

Occupancy Permits: Municipalities frequently tie the issuing of the occupancy permits to a Certificate of Compliance. We have helped many clients obtain CoCs and have done so in a timely fashion that ensures there are no delays in building occupancy for an environmental reason.

Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments

Risk assessments allow contaminated soils, groundwater and soil vapour to be managed in place. A risk assessment is completed when it is not cost effective to remediate contamination by other methods. It can be done in conjunction with the construction of a new building or management of an existing structure in place. All work is completed to the Ministry of Environment standards and is a way that Certificates of Compliance can be achieved, allowing development to be completed.

Hydrogeological Investigations

Hydrogeological studies are completed to better understand the processes by which groundwater moves and affects the conditions at a site. A hydrogeological study can have a wide range of focuses including quantifying water supplies, better understanding contaminant transport mechanisms and dewatering studies for construction. The City of Vancouver has proposed that future developments may need to conduct hydrogeological studies as part of their development permit application.

Engineering and Design of Residential and Commercial Vapour Mitigation Systems

Vapour mitigation may be required to prevent gases such as methane, radon and contaminated vapours from entering a building. After the province started regulating soil vapour, many developments have installed vapour mitigation systems to prevent contaminated vapour intrusion. Geostratus has designed and installed both passive vapour systems as well as active sub-slab depressurization systems. We have installed vapour mitigation systems in new construction, and have also refit existing buildings.