Aquifer Sustainability and Management - Nitrate Wastes - Eastern Ontario |
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A small septic company was identified as the cause of nitrate contamination in a nearby rural community. Mr. Hubley conducted a peer review supplemented with additional sampling and analysis to demonstrate that other inputs of nitrogen were contributing to the problem. The work ultimately prevented further Orders from being inappropriately issued only to the septic company, and instead brought all parties to the table to develop solutions, as some of the nitrate in the groundwater was determined to be from the application of fertilizers to farmer’s fields. Proper characterization resulted in a faster resolution to the problem.
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Development of Conceptual Site Models |
HGL regularly develops conceptual site models, and where required, provides direction and quality assurance to CAD and modeling specialists during the development of fence diagrams, 3-D models, particle tracking and groundwater flow models.
Peer Review of Former Sawmills Remediation - Couchiching First Nation, ON |
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HGL was retained to conduct expert technical peer review for Couchiching First Nation, ON, with the objective of evaluating, on behalf of the First Nation, the accuracy and reasonableness of the technical information developed by others. At the request of the First Nation, HGL also utilized a "concept mapping" technique to reduce conflict by identifying the community perception of the project, and comparing with the technical perspective to identify commonalities and gaps. The HGL team included experts in soil and groundwater, ecological and human health, and aquatic toxicology. The project successfully entered the remediation stage in 2019.
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Internal Quality Control to Minimize Exposure to Errors and Omissions - across Canada |
HGL was retained by a medium-sized environmental consulting company to conduct senior desktop quality control review for all written draft reports prior to issuance to clients. The consulting company was temporarily lacking sufficient resources internally to conduct effective internal reviews. HGL provided the resources necessary to bridge the gap until full-time senior staff were hired by the consulting company, thereby limiting their exposure to errors and omissions. Reports included site assessments, remediations, air monitoring, landfill management and watershed studies, for a range of clients including minesites, PWGSC, sawmills, petroleum companies, insurers, DND, First Nations, municipalities and others. HGL also developed technical submissions for SRED claims, not previously contemplated by the consulting company, adding tens of thousands of dollars back to the company’s bottom line.
Liability Assessments - across Canada |
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HGL was retained through an environmental consultant to conduct liability assessments for an insurance underwriter seeking to determine their risk of underwriting an applicant company with numerous industrial plants throughout Canada. HGL conducted a review of First Party cleanup costs, Third Party liability risks, high risk factors, and an overall opinion of risk. The information was compiled by the consultant and used by the insurer to assess the applicant in a broader risk analysis.
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Oil Spill Incident Response and Reporting - Ottawa, ON |
HGL was retained by private homeowners to provide environmental consulting and peer review services during an incident involving the release of fuel oil to the subsurface. The incident was the subject of an order issued by the applicable regulator, TSSA. HGL provided a rapid response, advised on the prevailing regulatory instructions, environmental site conditions, conducted quality assurance and quality control of delineation activities, and reported on the incident responses including remediation. The incident response successfully satisfied the regulatory Order in 2019 and the project is closed.
Aquifer Sustainability and Greenbelt Management - Southern Ontario |
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Ecojustice (formerly Sierra Legal Defence Fund) and Earthroots, along with funding partners Ducks Unlimited and Ontario Nature among others retained HGL to develop a detailed hydrogeological review of the Milton Quarry Extension, examining the assumptions of the aquifer performance work, the quarry permitting process in Ontario and a risk analysis related to the possible effects to the aquifer. More broadly, HGL supported the project team to understand the Permit To Take Water (PTTW) framework and Municipal Class EAs as they pertain to aquifer sustainability in the Oak Ridges Moraine. The review work was cited in the 2012 report entitled Protecting Greenbelt Wetlands.
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Chlorinated Solvent Plume characterization and management - southern Ontario |
HGL supports a consultant on the interpretation and management of a chlorinated solvent plume in southern Ontario. The plume originated from the vicinity of the former aeronautics plant. HGL aids the consultant in identifying the plume characteristics, data trends, and anomalies, in order to develop viable recommendations related to plume management to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).
Since inception in 2011, HGL has conducted reviews of environmental conditions at hundreds of properties through over 100 projects, for insurers, First Nations, environmental consultants, homeowners and regulators.
For information on these or other projects, and how our experience may fit your needs, please contact us.
Since inception in 2011, HGL has conducted reviews of environmental conditions at hundreds of properties through over 100 projects, for insurers, First Nations, environmental consultants, homeowners and regulators.
For information on these or other projects, and how our experience may fit your needs, please contact us.