The Largest Remediation & Reclamation Project in an Environmentally Significant Area

Project Summary:

Phase 1, 2 and 3 Environmental Site Assessments and Reclamation of a Remote Sump

Ballast Environmental provided the following to achieve project goals:

  • The project was completed in an Environmentally Significant Area in Alberta with key habitat for birds and plants.
  • Remediation of a remote sump which was 40 metres x 25 metres x 4 metres deep
  • Surface reclamation of 5.2 Acres in native prairie
  • Completion of a Phase 1, 2 and 3 Environmental Site Assessments in accordance with regulatory standards
  • Development and implementation of a remediation plan including landowner agreements and lease extensions
  • Project management and supervision of remediation and reclamation
  • Provide daily and weekly reports including costs
Stripping Topsoil
Final Limits of the Excavation

This remote sump was located in an environmental sensitive area

Showing the Reclaimed Site

Project Details

During multiple Phase 1 ESAs completed on multi-well padsit was determined a remote sump was used for multiple wells drilled in the 1980’s. After extensive research, it was discovered that the remote sump was located over 1 kilometer from the well sites.

A Phase 2 ESA was initiated on the remote sump and through an EM Scan and borehole drilling, it was determined the remote sump was contaminated with hydrocarbons and salinity (SAR, EC and chlorides). The areas of contamination were further delineated using the EM survey and borehole drilling program.

Upon consultation and review of several remediation options provided by Ballast Environmental, the client chose to excavate the sump and transport it to an approved facility for disposal.

We managed the project, including all contractors and communications with the stakeholders. This project involved a new lease agreement, fencing, soil stripping and conservation, tree/bush removal, excavation of overburden and excavation of contaminated soils. This project was especially challenging because of its location in sandy soils with no access. The sandy soils complicated the contamination migration and access to site. To reduce impact and cost, the contaminated soils weretransported from site during frozen ground conditions. The backfilling and surface reclamation took place in spring. Over the next few years, we monitored the growth and made adjustments as necessary until the site meet the AER guidelines and passed a Detailed Site Assessment. During the process we provide daily reports with weekly update meetings. We were on budget.

View: Tree mulching on site prior to excavation activities
View: Site looking south toward newly installed fence
View: Site looking southeast before remediation activities, August 12,2014
View: Stripping the topsoil on the site, September 15, 2014
View: Excavation of overburden, looking northwest, September 16, 2014
View: Topsoil and sump materials stockpiled on the north side of the site, September 24, 2014
View: View of excavation looking southeast, September 24, 2014
View: Excavation, contaminated soil and hill stripped for backfill looking northwest, October 6, 2014
View: Overview of excavation looking southeast from top of hill, October 6, 2014
View: Excavation looking northeast, October 15, 2014
View: Excavation limits, contaminated stockpile and clean soil looking north, October 27, 2014
View: Limits of excavation, topsoil and clean soil looking southeast, November 6, 2014
View: Limits of excavation, contaminated soil and the hill looking west from clean soil stockpile, November 6, 2014
View: Soil stockpiles on north side of site looking west, November 6, 2014
View: Setting the rig mats over the Telus line, November 2, 2015
View: Constructing a containment area for the loading pad, November 2, 2015
View: Excavating the sluff and areas of potential contaminant migration out of the excavation, November 2, 2015
View: Removing excavation water using a vac truck, November 6, 2015
View: Further excavation of contaminated soils, November 6, 2015
View: Loading contaminated soils, November 5, 2015
View: Constructing a small containment area to store contaminated soils, November 16, 2015
View: Further excavation of contaminated soils, November 17, 2015
View: Re-contouring by pushing soil from the hill into the excavation area, November 17, 2015
View: Replacing the topsoil, November 18, 2015
View: Seeding and harrowing the site, November 19, 2015
View: From the top of the hill in the northeast corner looking towards the access road, November 19, 2015
View: Southeast corner towards the northwest, November 19, 2015
View: Southeast corner towards the north, November 19, 2015