Contaminated Soil Disposal

Contaminated soil management is the process of identifying, classifying, and safely removing soil that contains contaminants such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, or chemicals that exceed applicable environmental standards.

Proper soil disposal ensures protection of the environment, reduces health risks, maintains compliance with the BC Environmental Management Act (EMA) and Contaminated Sites Regulation (CSR), and mitigates future liability.

Active Earth provides comprehensive soil management services across British Columbia. We test, classify, provide disposal and management recommendations, and assist with coordinating final disposal or treatment at approved facilities along with submission of any required notifications. Every step is documented to keep your project compliant, efficient, and defensible.

Failing to manage or dispose of contaminated soil correctly can lead to serious financial, regulatory, and safety issues. Improper waste management can expose owners and contractors to penalties and cleanup orders and can significantly devalue the property where contaminated soil was deposited.

Managing soil effectively:

• Protects property value and project timelines.
• Reduces environmental liability under BC CSR.
• Demonstrates due diligence for lenders, regulators, and investors.
• Supports site remediation and future development approvals.
• Supports eventual property divestiture. 

Active Earth’s expertise ensures that all soils, whether slightly impacted or heavily contaminated, are managed according to the BC CSR and EMA and in the most cost effective and defensible manner.

Active Earth has coordinated soil characterization, management, disposal and remediation for thousands of sites across BC. Our proven process ensures regulatory compliance and cost and schedule savings.

Project Understanding 

We begin with understanding the objectives of the client and the scope of soil removal. Why is the soil being removed, how much soil is being removed, where is the soil being removed from, are there any areas of potential environmental concern on-site or nearby, is the site a Schedule 2 site. This information is crucial in devising a practical and defensible approach.

Characterization Approach

Once the client’s objectives and project scope are fully understood, Active Earth takes into account the local fill site requirements, best management practices, and applicable regulations to devise an optimized soil characterization program.

Soil Sampling

To characterize the soil, a soil sampling program is undertaken. Consideration is given to the most cost effective at timely soil characterization methods to ensure client objectives are being met. This may include test-pitting with an excavator, drilling with a drill rig, hydro vacuuming, hand digging, or ex-situ stockpile testing. In all cases, representative samples of the material being excavated are collected and sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis of potential contaminants of concern.

Data Review and Soil Characterization

Upon receipt of the lab data, the raw data is quickly compared to applicable standards to determine if the soil is contaminated and where it can be disposed of. Sometimes results can include marginal levels of contamination that can sometimes be addressed using Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV) prescribed tools allowing the soil to be disposed of as clean and resulting in cost savings. 

Disposal, Oversight, and Documentation

We assist with obtaining approvals to dispose of at clean and contaminated fill sites across the province. If required, our field technicians can be on-site to document the remediation, ensure it’s being carried out appropriately, and ticket trucks.

Ministry Notifications

There are multiple triggers when moving soil that could require a notification to ENV such as: 

• When removing contaminated soil from a property a Notification of Independent Remediation is required to be submitted 3 days before starting remediation as well as 90 days after completion.
• When removing clean soil from a Schedule 2 site to a clean fill receiver, a Soil Relocation Notification Form is required to be submitted 7 days in advance of moving the clean soil to ENV.

The cost of contaminated soil disposal depends on:

• Type and concentration of contaminants
• Volume of soil (tonnes or cubic metres)
• Haul distance to facility
• Excavation and loading conditions
• Schedule and regulatory requirements

Tipping fees for contaminated soil in BC typically range from $40-80 tonne. If the soil is considered hazardous waste under the Hazardous Waste Regulation, tipping fees are often much higher in the $250 per tonne range.

Active Earth is on the leading edge of soil characterization and is routinely sought after to help with contaminated soil challenges. We have completed thousands of soil assessments and managed soil disposal and remediation for projects across numerous industries, including:

• Commercial and industrial sites
• Transportation and infrastructure upgrades
• Municipal and First Nations developments
• Brownfield site remediation and redevelopment
• Resource, forestry, and mining operations

Our team includes several of the industry’s leading soil characterization / management experts and is exceptionally well versed in soil characterization, contaminant delineation, and relocation/disposal management in accordance with federal, provincial and local regulations. Specific relevant expertise includes classification and management in accordance with the BC CSR including ENV Protocol 19, federal Disposal at Sea (DAS) regulations, HWR, local fill placement bylaws, ALC requirements, and local fill site acceptance requirements. Our team has defined industry best practices for clean fill relocation/reuse, and is the leader in using all available tools for minimizing “contaminated” soil disposal volumes.

If you require contaminated soil disposal or remediation services in British Columbia, our team is ready to help.

With extensive experience, regulatory knowledge, and a client-focused approach, Active Earth will manage your soil, protect your site, and keep your project compliant.

Call us today or request a quote online to begin your soil management and disposal process.