OSHAWA HARBOUR
TRANSPORT CANADA, OSHAWA, ONTARIO
The Oshawa Harbour Commission oversees the
operation of industrial portland and recreational marina
facilities at Oshawa Harbour, located on the north
shore of Lake Ontario in southern Ontario. Transport
Canada, on behalf of the Crown, retains ownership of
the lands and water lots.
DCS was retained by Transport Canada to carry out a
Phase I and Phase II ESA for certain lands at Oshawa
Harbour. The works consisted of a historical review,
facilities audit, soil and groundwater sampling, and
surface water and sediment sampling in order to
delineate contaminant areas and provide remedial cost
estimates. Upon completion of the Phase II, further
delineation was recommended by Transport Canada to
reduce uncertainty in contaminant volume estimates.
The supplemental Phase II ESA included further
borehole and monitoring well installations, surface
water sampling and research into City drainage
discharges. Qualitative and screening level risk
assessments for contaminant areas were prepared.
A comprehensive three volume report was prepared,
which outlined the findings of the Phase I and II ESAs
SITE CHARACTERIZATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT:
BROWNFIELD SITES, SEDIMENT AND SURFACE WATER
and risk assessments, presented the remedial cost
estimates and recommended options for cleanup. The
table below presents the comparative costs of
full-scale remediation by excavation and off-site
disposal, versus the recommended risk management
measures, consisting primarily of placing a barrier
(cover) over contaminated areas of the site,
undertaking limited excavations in isolated areas which
could pose health risks, and carrying out long term
monitoring. As shown, the risk-management option
would save over $25 million versus full-scale cleanup.
Area Risk Management Cost* Full Cleanup Cost
A $ 1,191,000 $ 10,800,000
B and C $ 0.00 $ 0.00
D $ 577,000 $ 8,940,000
E $ 574,000 $ 9,424,000
Total Estimated Cost $ 2,342,000 $ 29,164,000
* Recommended option.
A presentation on the findings of the Phase I/II ESA
and the recommended remediation plan was made to
City Council. DCS met the budget and schedule as
determined by Transport Canada. Overall project value
was $125,000 and was completed in October 2003.
BR039.1