Environmental Works for Fuel Storage Tank Decommissioning

The City of Guelph will undertake a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and Risk Assessment (RA) for a 2.6 hectare municipally owned and operated works yard to investigate sub-surface conditions and develop appropriate remediation and/or risk management measures related to five onsite underground fuel storage tanks (UST). This initiative will provide benefits to public and environmental health while supporting the City’s goal of converting to above-ground fuel storage (AST) infrastructure. A Phase I ESA of the property, located at 45 Municipal Street, concluded there are 10 Areas of Potential Environmental Concern (APEC). Likelihood of leaking is attributed to UST age, dates of installation ranging from 1976 to 1996, as well as the type of USTs which include single-walled steel and fibreglass tanks that no longer meet industry standards. Potential onsite contaminants include PHCs, VOCs, PAHs, metals and other inorganics. By delineating contamination and developing a strategy to manage it, the City will achieve direct environmental benefits of improved soil and groundwater quality as well as mitigate the threat of contamination to a nearby municipal well-water source. By converting to AST infrastructure, the City hopes to further mitigate future environmental risk by upgrading to meet current tank regulations and allowing for faster response times to potential leaks or spills. Economic benefits include reduced inspection and maintenance costs and extended lifespan of the facility. The initiative achieves objectives outlined in the City of Guelph’s Official Plan (Consolidated 2014) for sites with Major Utility designation as follows; to provide effective and efficient utility services to all areas of the City, to protect public health and safety and to minimize environmental impacts, and to prevent nuisance effects from utility facilities and sites. The project is also informed by the City of Guelph Source Water Protection Policies, the City of Guelph Guidelines for Development of Contaminated or Potentially Contaminated Sites (2016), and the City of Guelph Brownfield Redevelopment Community Improvement Plan (2012). As no change in land-use designation will be sought, the City is not required to conduct public consultation. This initiative will be conducted in consultation with various City departments, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) as appropriate. The lessons learned from this project could provide value for other Canadian municipalities looking to mitigate current and future risks to human and environmental health associated with their public works infrastructure. (Project description from original funding application)