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Cleaning up contaminants and redeveloping a brownfield site can bring communities a number of environmental, economic and social benefits. You can achieve even greater benefits by incorporating sustainable approaches throughout the site remediation and risk management activities.

Environmental benefits

  • Lower risk of soil, surface water and groundwater contamination
  • Fewer GHGs through decreased urban sprawl and commuting
  • Less or no waste
  • Energy savings
  • Protected ecosystem and habitat

Economic benefits

  • New development opportunities
  • Job creation
  • Increased property values
  • Higher tax revenues
  • Lower energy costs
  • Lower water costs
  • Lower landfill disposal costs
  • Reduced landfill space

Social benefits

  • Revitalized neighbourhoods
  • More public space
  • Improved public health and safety
  • Job creation

Benefits at all stages: reap the rewards

Project Stage Activities Environmental Benefits

Economic Benefits

 Social Benefits
Planning Develop a water conservation plan  • •
Develop a waste minimization or recycling plan  • •  
Implement idling restrictions on vehicles and construction equipment  • •
Consider interim uses for sites that will be under-used for extended periods (e.g. community gardens, solar panels)  •     •
Site Assessment Seek community involvement to increase public awareness and acceptance.  •
Use passive sampling devices.  •  
Use on-site analytical techniques.  •
Use telemetry or remote data collection.  •   
Remediation/Risk management Sequence work to minimize handling materials twice. •
Reduce excavation and off-site disposal.  • •  
Consider technologies that destroy contaminants without creating waste or additional contamination.  •
Consider low-energy technologies (e.g. bioremediation, phytoremediation).  •   
Use energy-efficient equipment and optimize equipment performance  • •  
Incorporate renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar, into treatment systems.  • •  
Use construction equipment with enhanced emission controls.  •  

Examples

Remediation of Strathcona Shooting Range, City of Edmonton, AB

With its growing population and a related demand for recreational facilities, the City of Edmonton decided to convert the Strathcona Shooting Range to a multi-use sports and recreational facility. By using a sustainable approach, testing for lead and other contaminants was carried out on-site, rather than in a laboratory, and soil was excavated at the same time as when the on-site soil analysis took place. This project received support from FCM's Green Municipal Fund, and was completed for less than half the original $9 million estimate to remove lead and other soil contaminants.

Environmental benefits 

  • Eliminated further contamination from shooting activities
  • Reduced soil handling and less soil excavated.

Economic benefits

  • No need to convert other valuable land into sports fields.
  • Reduced transportation of analytical samples and limited laboratory costs.
  • Selective excavation of soil known to be contaminated.

Social benefits

  • A much-needed recreational and sport field space for the community.

New Town Hall, Town of the Blue Mountains, ON

When the Town of the Blue Mountains found itself with too little space to meet its administrative needs, it chose to build a new town hall on a brownfield site. The town avoided moving contaminated soil to landfill by using an on-site bioremediation process to break down the contaminants and by using the remediated material as a landfill cap. Geothermal wells were installed in areas where soil would be excavated. This project received support from FCM's Green Municipal Fund.

Environmental benefits

  • Reduced soil excavation
  • Eliminated contamination rather than disposed of contaminated soi.

Economic benefits

  • Less labour and excavation time
  • Reduced landfill fees and extended landfill life.Selective excavation of soil known to be contaminated
  • No need to use valuable materials for covers

Social benefits

  • Reduced health risk due to less handling of contaminated soil

Landfill transformed to residential land, City of St. Catharines, ON

The City of St. Catharines used a series of sustainable approaches to convert a former landfill into a residential area. The project was Ontario's first large-scale initiative of its kind. The municipality gained 3.5 acres of new residential lands, and increased available housing and tax revenues. This project was a finalist in the Sustainable Remediation Technologies and Technological Innovation category for the 2009 Canadian Urban Institute's Brownie Awards. 

Environmental benefits 

  • Soil contaminated with petroleum bioremediated on-site.
  • Metal and tires from the landfill were recycled and other waste material was reused as golf course fill

Economic benefits

  • Sustainable approach to remediation diverted waste from landfill
  • Redevelopment into residential area increased tax revenue

Social benefits

  • Landfill site was redeveloped as residential property.

Want to know more?

See these websites for more information on sustainable remediation and risk management metrics:

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West Pubnico Sewer Treatment Plant Upgrade

Sewage-treatment facility

To cut pollution threatening fish and groundwater, the Municipality of the District of Argyle updated sewage-treatment facilities in the seaside village of West Pubnico with screens and ultraviolet light that disinfects effluent before releasing it into Lobster Bay.

The upgrades will allow the municipality to expand its sewer system to homes with septic tanks - a move that had been delayed because the 30-year-old plant's chlorine-disinfection chambers could no longer consistently clean wastewater to comply with anti-pollution standards.

The improvements clear the way for more sewer lines, reducing the risk that groundwater contamination from septic tanks will make drinking water unsafe. Plant updates include a wastewater heating system that will lower plant energy costs, as well as a sludge-drying process that will make sewage solids less costly to truck away.   

Results

Environmental Economic Social
  • 400,000 litres of ocean-bound effluent disinfected each day
  • Wastewater heat-exchange system cuts energy consumption, GHG emissions
  • $50,000 annual saving in sludge trucking costs
  • Lower energy costs thanks to heat exchanger
  • Lower maintenance costs with new system
  • Plant will accommodate more sewage, cutting need for homeowner septic tanks
  • Retrofit protects a fishery that residents depend on for their livelihood

Challenges

  • Finding a way to lower high sludge-disposal costs.
  • Meeting provincial disinfectant standards for ocean-discharged wastewater.
  • Keeping the ocean free of sewage that would endanger fishing and processing jobs.

Lessons learned

  • Conduct rigorous evaluations to prevent equipment cost surprises.
  • Be prepared to eliminate less-essential project features to stay within budget.
  • Using sewer wastewater for heat can cut costs and  may align with eligibility criteria for green infrastructure grants.  

Partners and Collaborators

Project Contact

Alain Muise
Chief Administrative Officer
Municipality of the District of Argyle, NS
T. 902-648-3293

Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada. 

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The rapidly growing City of Cranbrook has upgraded its wastewater systems to improve effluent quality, reduce operating costs, cut GHG emissions and allow for population growth over the next 20 years.

Cranbrook's current wastewater treatment system, which was cutting-edge when it was built more than 40 years ago, uses reclaimed water to irrigate agricultural lands, boosting the local economy. Building on that legacy, the upgrades include a new storage pond, and aeration and disinfecting equipment that that treat sewage with natural biochemical processes. Reclaimed water from the improved system exceeds health and safety standards and can be used to irrigate recreational as well as agricultural lands.

Restoring and upgrading Cranbrook's existing facility has created a showpiece for efficient wastewater management. The upgraded system produces lower GHG emissions, uses less power and has significantly lower operating costs.

Cranbook's wastewater improvement project was the 2012 FCM Sustainable Communities Awards winner for water.

Results

Environmental Economic Social
  • Annual GHG emissions have been reduced by 75% for lagoons and 54% for storage ponds
  • Treated wastewater has fewer  suspended solids and less phosphorous, coliform and residual chlorine
  • Operating costs, including power consumption, have been reduced by 42 % annually
  • Reclaiming water for irrigation reduces demand for potable water and boosts local agriculture.
  • Upgrade provides capacity for at least 20 years of population growth
  • 1,000 ha water treatment site has become a recreational area and provides habitat for many wildlife species

Challenges

  • Engaging the entire community in the project was a challenge. Council emphasised building relationships within the community and surrounding area and with stakeholders including provincial agencies and local First Nations.

Lessons learned

  • Ensure that you have clear lines of communications between regulators, designers, staff, contractors and stakeholders.
  • Hold monthly meetings with regulators to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Think long term and go beyond conventional and accepted solutions.

Partners and Collaborators

Project Contact

Maryse Leroux 
Policy Analyst
City of Cranbrook, B.C.
T. 250-489-0239

Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada. 

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Any technique that remediates or manages the risk of contamination at a site has an environmental benefit as it eliminates or reduces exposure to contaminants. Some techniques, however, are more sustainable than others. You can make a technique more sustainable by applying it in a way that conserves energy, fuel or water; reduces GHGs or other emissions; or minimizes or recycles waste.

The guiding principles for sustainable site remediation and risk management are:

  • Treat as much soil as possible on-site and preferably in-situ.
  • Use techniques that are energy-efficient, produce minimal chemical and greenhouse gas emissions and incorporate renewable energy.
  • Minimize water use and recycle water whenever and wherever possible.

Relative sustainability of contamination management options

The techniques in this table are listed from most to least sustainable.

Contamination management technique

 Description Sustainability factors
Risk management approaches

Risk management approaches reduce exposure to contamination through:

  • administrative controls, such as restricting the use of or access to the site through zoning
  • physical barriers, such as ground covers (e.g. asphalt) to prevent exposure to contaminants or in-situ barriers to contain contaminated groundwater

A detailed risk assessment is required to show that a risk management approach will provide the same protection to human health and the environment as remediation.

Compared to remediation, risk management approaches typically:

  • use less energy
  • create less waste
  • generate fewer emissions

These approaches can be the most sustainable method of managing contamination.
Remediation approaches - in situ

Because in-situ remediation techniques are applied in the ground, there is no need to excavate soil or pump groundwater.

Common in-situ techniques include bioremediation, vapour extraction and chemical oxidation.

Compared to remediation techniques that require soil excavation or groundwater pumping, in-situ remediation techniques typically:

  • use less energy
  • create less waste
  • generate fewer emissions

If you choose an in-situ technique, you can use specific sustainable approaches to reduce the environmental impact.
Remediation approaches - ex-situ

Ex-situ remediation techniques involve either or both of these options:

  • Pumping groundwater from the ground and treating it above ground.
  • Excavating contaminated soil and either treating it on site or sending it off site for treatment or disposal.

If you determine that an ex-situ technique is most feasible, you can use specific sustainable approaches to reduce the environmental impact.


Want to know more?

See these resources on sustainable remediation and risk management techniques:

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Tidal Power Feasibility Study

View of the city of Campbell River

The City of Campbell River studied the feasibility of using tidal energy to generate electricity. It hoped to install a small demonstration turbine at the municipal pier.

While currents were fast farther out in the Discovery Passage, the study found they were only moderate at the pier. The turbine output would be small and would not justify the cost of connecting to the grid. The site would, however, be a good one for a research and demonstration project. It would promote a clean, renewable energy source and attract companies developing the technology to the city. It would be a first step toward positioning the city as a tidal power pioneer.

Results

Environmental Economic Social

  • Developing clean, renewable sources of electricity reduces GHGs and our reliance on fossil fuels

  • A research and demonstration project would attract manufacturing companies to the city to develop and test turbines
  • A demonstration turbine would educate people about how tidal power works
  • A turbine at the pier would allow people to see it in action

Challenges

  • There are only few tidal turbines in operation worldwide, so the choices of technology were limited.
  • Winter storms delayed the measurements of tidal currents.
  • Wave analysis, initially not part of the study, had to be added when it was discovered that high waves occur regularly at the pier. Extreme waves can damage tidal turbines.

Lessons learned

  • It is a good idea to start looking for industrial partners early in the process.
  • Make sure you have qualified marine-energy scientists involved.
  • The feasibility study has proven an important resource in helping the city map out its next steps on tidal power.

Partners and Collaborators

Project Contact

Amber Zirnhelt
Sustainability Manager
City of Campbell River, BC
T. 250-286-5742

Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada. 

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Lonsdale Energy Corp. Startup

Installation of pipe network

The City of North Vancouver, BC, built a district energy system (DES) to heat buildings in a major redevelopment of its waterfront area.

The DES uses small heating plants scattered through the area, rather than one central plant. The gas-fired boilers circulate hot water underground to buildings connected to the system. The energy-efficient boilers provide customers with cleaner, cheaper heat than the electric baseboard heaters commonly used in British Columbia.

Using smaller plants allows the system to grow in steps as new customers sign on. Run by a municipality-owned utility, the system also taps solar and other renewable energy sources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Results

Environmental Economic Social
  • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to electric baseboard heating
  • Allows replacement of fossil fuels with solar and geothermal energy
  • Reduces heating costs by an estimated 22 per cent per year
  • Allows staggering of capital expenditures on generating plants as area is developed
  • Improves energy security by diversifying sources
  • Educates public on sustainability

Challenges

  • Overcoming the perception in parts of the community that district heating is more, not less, costly
  • Engineering and building the system in North Vancouver's steeply sloped terrain
  • Arranging training in another municipality for city construction crews with no DES experience in

Lessons learned

  • Make sure developers equip new buildings so they may be connected to the district heating system.
  • Include an experienced installation contractor in the design process.
  • Do not embark on a district energy project without the city council support.

Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada. 

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Town Hall

The City of Delta's new Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) is a long-term strategy for sustainable development. The plan will help the city reduce its energy costs and vulnerability to energy markets, mitigate climate change, improve air quality, encourage alternative transportation choices, and create new jobs and business opportunities.

The plan identifies 37 areas for action and lays out a 25-year timetable for the city to achieve its sustainability goals. The goals include developing compact neighbourhoods, reducing vehicle travel, increasing renewable energy use, and improving waste management. The plan will also provide the framework to promote healthy and affordable homes and help businesses make the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Results

Environmental Economic Social
  • 21% reduction from 2007 per capita electrical use levels by 2040
  • 31% reduction in overall per capita energy use from 2007 levels by 2040
  • 12% reduction from 2007 GHG emission levels by 2040
  • Increase capture and re-use of waste heat and use of renewable energy
  • Reduce vehicular travel and provide opportunities for low-carbon mobility
  • Reuse, recycle and recover more materials from solid waste
  • Increase density in urban nodes with the potential to develop district energy systems
  • Develop compact neighbourhoods with reduced energy consumption
  • Promote efficient, healthy, affordable homes

Results

Challenges

  • Two key members left the consulting firm while Delta's CEEP project was underway. City staff had to adapt quickly and work closely with the remaining consultant to complete the project.

Lessons learned

  • Assign a dedicated staff member as a liaison between consultants and the city's senior management and staff.
  • Go beyond climate change when framing the plan: issues of resilience, cost savings, liveability, health and affordability all resonated with Delta's stakeholders and staff.
  • Facilitated workshops with members of the community are exceptional tools for eliciting ideas and developing buy-in.

Partners and Collaborators

Project Contact

Mike Brotherston
Manager of Climate Action and Environment
City of Delta,  BC
T. 604-946-3281

Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada. 

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City of Pitt Meadows’ Sustainability Plans

City of Pitt Meadows

The City of Pitt Meadows developed two complementary plans to guide the municipality in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. One plan addresses emissions from municipal operations; the other covers emissions from community properties and activities.

The measures in the plan for municipal operations focus on city buildings, the city fleet, water and wastewater, and solid waste. The community plan is broader in scope, addressing issues related to land use, urban design, transportation planning, as well as emissions from residential, commercial and industrial properties and solid waste. Reduction measures include things like promoting energy-efficiency in buildings, encouraging waste heat recovery in industrial facilities, launching a zero-waste challenge, and increasing transit ridership.

The plans will help the city balance growth with protection of the environment.

Results

Environmental Economic Social
  • Corporate plan measures would cut GHG emissions by 32%
  • Community plan measures would cut GHG emissions by 13%
  • Reducing energy consumption in city-owned buildings and operations will provide savings on energy costs
  • Increased transit ridership will lead to savings on transportation infrastructure
  • Greater public awareness of sustainability
  • Smart growth that is transit- and pedestrian-friendly and supports healthier lifestyles

Challenges

  • Balancing future development and planning challenges in a small but growing municipality.
  • Carrying out preparation of the plans within a limited budget.
  • Completing the process in a reasonable amount of time.

Lessons learned

  • To successfully develop an energy plan, community engagement should be fostered and sustained - which takes preparation and resources.
  • Be patient and realistic with expectations, and listen to community members.
  • Make sure consultants have relevant experience and keep them on track with frequent update meetings.

Partners and Collaborators

Project Contact

Laurie Darcus
Director of Corporate Services
City of Pitt Meadows, BC
T. 604-465-2433

Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada. 

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Pearson Eco-Business Zone District Energy Feasibility Study

Aerial view of Toronto Pearson International Airport

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Region of Peel studied whether a district energy system was feasible for buildings near Toronto Pearson International Airport. The idea was part of a strategy to create an eco-business zone.

A study team identified 11 buildings as potential customers for a district energy system, in which locally generated heat is shared among buildings. The buildings, many of which are hotels, have a total thermal load of 13,625 kilowatts, enough to make a district energy system effective in saving energy.

The estimated installation cost, including a central combined heat and power plant and 3.1 kilometres of piping, was $28.2 million. The next step was to look for private- or public-sector development partners for a district energy system.

Results

Environmental Economic Social
  • Greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by 3,600 tonnes per year
  • Air quality would be improved
  • Developers of the system would see an estimated 8% internal rate of return
  • With fewer maintenance costs, building owners' heating costs would remain about the same
  • Constructing the heat and power plant would create jobs locally

Challenges

  • Gaining access to buildings and building managers to properly evaluate the feasibility of a district energy system.
  • Educating local business owners on the benefits of a district energy system.
  • Establishing a financial model when natural gas prices can be volatile.

Lessons learned

  • Establish contacts with building managers before launching the feasibility study.
  • Form an advisory panel of private and public stakeholders with expertise on district energy systems.
  • Have a champion from the municipality, because public endorsement of the project encourages potential customers.

Resources

Partners and Collaborators

Project Contact

Dennis Braun
Project Manager
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
T. 416-661-6600, ext. 5594

Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada. 

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Eastern Shelburne County Energy Strategy

Installed solar panels

To reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, the Municipality of the District of Shelburne has endorsed projects that will use wind, solar panels and waste-wood pellets to generate electricity and heat.

The renewable-energy projects will reduce municipal dependence on costly electricity and heat from fossil-fuel power plants, which add 106,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas to the county atmosphere each year.

Residents, business and institutions have been encouraged to install similar, smaller renewable-energy systems and to practise conservation by using energy-efficient lights and junking older gas-guzzling cars.

Results

Environmental Economic Social
  • 531 fewer tonnes of GHG emissions annually from wood-pellet heating in local hospital
  • Nine fewer tonnes of GHG emissions from solar hot-water heating in local fire hall
  • $130,727 savings annually from wood-pellet heating in hospital
  • $3,106 savings each year from solar hot-water heating in fire hall
  • Community-wide installations of renewable-energy systems leads to a cleaner atmosphere, healthier living
  • Energy savings to reduce living costs

Challenges

  • No direct municipal influence over private renewable-energy-use decisions.
  • Constantly changing rules for renewable-energy project funding.
  • Fluctuating prices and supplies of wood-waste heating material.

Lessons learned

  • Avoid duplication and save money by collaborating with other municipalities on shared-interest energy projects.
  • Ensure municipal alternative-energy installations are financially within reach.
  • Set a strategy that can accommodate renewable-energy opportunities when they come up.

Resources

Partners and Collaborators

Project Contact

Emily Tipton
Sustainable Development Coordinator
District of Shelburne, NS
T. 902-875-3489

Want to explore all GMF-funded projects? Check out the Projects Database for a complete overview of funded projects and get inspired by municipalities of all sizes, across Canada. 

Visit the projects database

Pagination

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