Environmental Site Assessments in Edmonton
Vista Environmental Science provides comprehensive environmental site assessments in Edmonton, helping property owners, developers, and lenders make confident, compliant decisions. Our work adheres to Alberta’s Environmental Site Assessment Standard and CSA-Z768/769 guidelines, ensuring that every report meets the expectations of provincial, municipal, and lender authorities.
Whether it’s a Phase I ESA, Phase II ESA or remediation, our team delivers efficient, science-based solutions that align with the environmental assessment phases in Edmonton. We specialize in identifying risks, confirming site conditions, and implementing sustainable strategies, all while saving our clients time and unnecessary costs. Contact us to arrange environmental site assessments and obtain clear documentation to support informed property decisions.
Case Study: Phase I ESA and Groundwater Analysis Using Existing Wells
Location: 12315 – 118 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta
Date: August 2024
Challenge
The client required a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). The assessment was required to ascertain a current environmental baseline and confirm that the retail fuel outlet occupying the property adjacent to the Site had not adversely impacted the Site due to the historical presence of an underground storage tank containing fuel. Traditional next steps would typically recommend a Phase II ESA, which would involve drilling/collecting soil samples and installation of groundwater wells.
Vista Environmental Science Approach
Given that the Site has previously undergone a Phase II ESA by another consulting firm in October of 2019, rather than duplicating work, Vista Environmental Science located/identified three existing groundwater monitoring wells (installed during a 2019 Phase II investigation), which had been buried by Site-regrading activities. Using these wells, Vista Environmental Science collected new groundwater samples to confirm current Site conditions — an efficient and sustainable solution that avoided invasive and redundant work.
Findings and Final Outcome
Vista Environmental Science prepared the Phase I ESA and groundwater results into one final report. Laboratory analysis of groundwater for BTEX and Petroleum Hydrocarbons confirmed that all results met 2024 Alberta Tier 1 Soil and Groundwater Remediation Guidelines for fine-grained soils under commercial/industrial land use.
Results & Outcome
-
No evidence of off-site migration or contamination.
-
No areas of potential environmental concern.
-
No Phase II ESA required.
-
Accepted by the lender on time and on budget.
Summary
By identifying existing wells which had been buried due to Site regrading, Vista Environmental Science delivered a cost-effective, defensible assessment that satisfied regulatory and lender requirements without delay, demonstrating our commitment to practical, results-driven environmental solutions. Our approach saved the Client not just money, but shaved weeks off the timeline to deliver a report.
Stages of Environmental Site Assessments
Environmental site assessments may involve different phases depending on the property history and assessment findings.
Assessment stages include:
​
-
Phase I ESA: Non-intrusive review of historical records, site conditions, and interviews.
-
Phase II ESA: Intrusive testing involving soil, groundwater, or vapour sampling.
Each phase is completed based on regulatory standards and site-specific requirements.
Site Inspection and Visual Observations
Our environmental site assessments in Edmonton are conducted to observe existing conditions. These inspections involve a structured walkthrough of accessible property areas.
Typical observations include:
​
-
Current operations: Reviewing present land use and activities.
-
Storage areas: Identifying tanks, drums, or chemical storage.
-
Surface conditions: Observing staining, odours, or stressed vegetation.
-
Waste handling practices: Reviewing disposal and storage methods.
-
Neighbouring properties: Identifying adjacent land uses that may pose risk.
All findings are documented through photographs and written field notes.
Regional Environmental Site Assessments in Edmonton
Environmental site assessments account for regional development patterns and regulatory frameworks.
Regional factors may include:
​
-
Industrial zoning history: Legacy land uses within Edmonton.
-
Transportation infrastructure: Proximity to railways, terminals, or fuel corridors.
-
Municipal planning requirements: City of Edmonton development processes.
-
Provincial environmental guidelines: Alberta regulatory standards.
Importance of Environmental Site Assessments
Our environmental site assessments in Edmonton support responsible land management and environmental due diligence. They provide documented information used by property owners, lenders, developers, and legal professionals.
Key benefits include:
-
Improved risk awareness: Identification of potential environmental liabilities to support informed decision-making.
-
Support for property transactions: Reliable documentation that assists buyers, sellers, and lenders during due diligence processes.
-
Early identification of environmental concerns: Detection of possible contamination issues before they escalate into costly remediation requirements.
-
Documented compliance and due diligence: Formal reporting aligned with regulatory standards to demonstrate environmental responsibility and legal compliance.
Our team strives to deliver clear and accurate assessments based on verified information.
