ASSESSMENTS > Site Characterization | Site Assessment | Risk Assessment | Laboratory Services
Updated September 2010
ASSESSMENTS: Site Assessment

Environmental Site Assessments are generally composed of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) and a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (Phase II ESA).

A Phase I ESA identifies potential liabilities associated with contaminants in soil, sediment, ground or surface water through site inspection and historical review. Phase I ESAs are non-intrusive investigative research conducted to obtain as much detailed site history as possible without having to sample and analyze the site. A Phase I ESA is composed of a preliminary assessment of the site and of properties in the vicinity of the site which is the process of collecting and reviewing available information about known or suspected hazardous wastes storage, spills, releases and contamination. Typical characteristics associated with brownfield properties include soil, sediment, surface water and/or groundwater impacted by former operations, stored or buried infrastructure, chemicals, waste, hazardous materials and spills or illegal disposal.

Phase II ESA is an intrusive investigation and assessment of a property's, surface and subsurface media. These may include sections within a brownfield site, the entire property itself and physical pathways to human exposure and off-site migration. A Phase II ESA investigates and confirms the environmental condition of the 'Areas of Concern' identified through the Phase I ESA and determines the site characteristics (chemicals, contamination and concentrations) present to the extent of the investigation performed. This data is necessary to file a Record of Site Condition (RSC) and perform a Risk Assessment.

Site Assessment Standards 

Across Canada, site characterization is guided by several standards or guidance documents that vary from province to province and through federal properties. Although Environmental Site Assessments are not a legal requirement throughout Canada, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard has become accepted in Canada as reasonable environmental 'due diligence' for property transactions. It is acknowledged as appropriate environmental 'risk assessment' for real estate investments. The CSA states that a public records review shall be conducted and should provide an assessor with an in-depth understanding of a site’s history. Appropriate measures should be taken to document possible sources of hazardous waste, other sources of contamination and liability. The standard requires that the assessor also consider adjacent properties and any relevant information that is 'reasonably ascertainable'.

  • Phase I ESAs are guided by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z768 (1994) - CAN/CSA-768-01 

    This Standard establishes the principles and practices that are applicable to a Phase I ESA. It is intended to provide a consistent framework and minimum requirements for conducting Phase I ESAs that can accommodate broader regulatory and liability requirements, as well as address pertinent site-specific requirements. This framework involves preparing for and undertaking an investigation and interpreting and reporting on the information gathered. This Standard may be used prior to using CSA Standard Z769.

  • Phase II ESAs are guided by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z769 (1998) - CAN/CSA-Z769-00 

    This Standard establishes the principles and practices that are applicable to a Phase II ESA. It is intended to provide a consistent framework and minimum requirements for conducting Phase II ESAs that can accommodate broader regulatory and liability requirements, as well as address pertinent site-specific requirements. This framework involves developing a sampling plan, preparing for and undertaking an investigation for sampling and measuring, and interpreting and reporting on the information gathered. This Standard is intended as a follow-up to CSA Standard Z768.

    Ontario
    • In Ontario the requirements for a Phase I ESA are now prescribed by regulation. These requirements must be followed if the Phase I ESA is to be used as part of a RSC (Record of Site Condition) process. The RSC requirements follow the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z768, with an important exception.
    • The requirements for a Phase II ESA are now prescribed by regulation. These requirements must be followed if the Phase II ESA is to be used as part of a RSC process. The RSC requirements follow the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z769.

    • Further details can be found on the Brownfields Toolbox (Legal Framework)

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    Resources:

    The BROWNFIELDS TOOLBOX (STEP 2: Evaluation) has further information on how to Conduct Research, Phase I and II ESA's in Ontario.

    For more information on the components and process of conducting Phase I and II ESA's see the Brownfields Toolbox (Environmental Assessment)