Decontamination Project for Drummondville’s New Library
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector
Brownfield
Project value$2,324,370
Project Type
Capital Project
Sub Sector
Remediation and risk management initiatives
Grant amount$0
Program type
GMF
Municipality
Ville de Drummondville, QC
Loan amount$1,324,370
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
79,258
Project timeline
2010 - 2012
Project number
11058
Description
The City of Drummondville will rehabilitate a 20,000 m2 brownfield site in order to promote the revitalization of the downtown area with the construction of a new LEED-certified municipal library. After analyses conducted by the City of Drummondville, the land is currently uncultivated, partially grassy or gravelly or paved or built on and requires rehabilitation for the construction of the library. Approximately 11,330 m3 of soil contaminated by hydrocarbons and metals, presenting concentrations that exceed the maximum values indicated in appendix II of the Land Protection and Rehabilitation Regulation (LPRR) shall be excavated and brought to an authorized treatment or landfill. Appendix II of the LPRR corresponds to the maximum values set for land authorized solely for industrial, commercial or institutional use, in accordance with a municipal zoning regulation, except for land where educational or health institutions are set up. The remaining soil shall be sampled and analyzed to determine whether it will be used as backfill or sent to an authorized landfill, according to the soil’s geotechnical characteristics. Groundwater shall be pumped and treated, and risk reduction measures shall be put in place. Once the land is rehabilitated, the soil shall meet LPRR standards and reduced groundwater contamination is expected. The new municipal library and new public spaces will make a positive contribution to the downtown area’s cultural and educational life. These facilities will notably revitalize the downtown area, encourage the resident population to remain there, attract new families, preserve and create jobs, reduce the pressure of growing real estate on peripheral wooded or agricultural areas, as well as increase the downtown density. Rehabilitating brownfield sites to develop its municipal infrastructure is a new experience for the City of Drummondville. This project could serve as an example to other Canadian municipalities who wish to revitalize their downtown areas using an integrated approach. (Project description from original funding application)
Project results
- 5403 cubic metres of media (soil, groundwater and sediment) managed
- 2 hectares of land reclaimed
Environmental outcomes
- Improved groundwater quality
- Promotion of eco-friendly transportation
- Brownfield restoration
- Urban sprawl management
Social outcomes
- Protection/improvement of public human health
- Increased opportunities for physical activity
- Increased opportunities for recreational activities
- Improved availability and accessibility of information
- Increased opportunities for community engagement
- Community revitalization
- Development of local programs
Economic outcomes
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Increased service life
- Increased tourism
- Increased municipal attraction
- Local business development or local economy stimulus
- Local spending/consumption
- Use of feasibility tools
Lessons learned
- Data and reporting
- Resources
- External factors
Applicant
Ville de Drummondville, QC