Environmental Assessment and Risk Management of Salinity Impacts – Municipal Maintenance Yard

Historical salt storage resulted in salinity impacts to shallow soil and groundwater, with nearby receptors including municipal water supply wells and a downgradient creek.

Alta Tech completed detailed investigations and developed a defensible hydrogeologic model to support risk-based management.

Work included:

• Site characterization and monitoring well installation
• Development of a conceptual hydrogeologic model confirming salinity confined to a shallow sand unit, hydraulically separated from the deeper bedrock aquifer by a low-permeability aquitard
• Risk assessment and receptor evaluation against Alberta guidelines
• Preparation of a Risk Management Plan (RMP) with land-use controls and monitoring
• Design and implementation of a long-term groundwater and surface water monitoring program

Impacts were confirmed to be confined to shallow groundwater, with no risk to deeper water supply wells. The approved Risk Management Plan allows the site to be managed through monitoring and controls rather than intrusive remediation.