Preapprovals

A flow-through contaminated site is a site or parcel that contaminants have migrated to from an up-gradient source. These contaminants pass through the “flow-through” parcel without increasing in concentration. The contaminants then migrate further down-gradient to one or more additional affected sites or parcels.

Water lots may be impacted by flow-through contamination.

In this scenario, you are not required to investigate or remediate beyond the flow-through parcel boundaries but must still remediate all contamination at that parcel.

When reporting this scenario, you should include:

1. All relevant information including figures for the site and surrounding area demonstrating that contamination considered “flow- through” is originating from an upgradient neighbouring source parcel, is migrating through the site, and then leaving the site without an increase in concentration
2. Information about flow-through contaminants that have potential to break down into other products (for example perchloroethylene degrading to trichloroethylene, dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride). These breakdown products are considered part of the source contamination if you can show that they do not come from activities on the affected parcel.

Area wide contamination is contaminated fill that spreads over a large area and does not have:

• A known historical source
• An identifiable responsible person
• A designated environmental management area

Water lots may be impacted by area wide contamination.

In this scenario, you do not have to investigate or remediate beyond the parcel boundaries, but you are still responsible for remediating all contamination at that parcel.  

When reporting this scenario, you should include:

1. All relevant information such as historical photos and maps, land use records, and investigation results at the site and where possible, for the surrounding area that show area wide contamination
2. Cross sections that clearly identify the soil and/or groundwater contamination is confined to the fill layer

Where a facility is no longer operational, your report should include:

1. A plan and schedule that shows how you will remediate all contamination
2. A written reason for why you are seeking a certification document or site release notice for the affected parcel, and not for the entire site

When the source site is still an operating facility, you don’t need to include additional information.

Contamination can come from materials or substances that have beneficial use. These materials and substances are listed in the table below. 

To prove a beneficial use in your report, you should include information that:

1. Shows that the contamination from beneficial use materials doesn’t go significantly beyond the source. The extent may differ depending on the beneficial use
2. Shows that the beneficial use serves its intended purpose or the materials associated with the beneficial use continue to be used
3. Includes records that confirm the beneficial use materials were not produced or stored at the parcel

Please refer to Protocol 13 to learn about beneficial use exemptions. If the exemptions in Protocol 13 do not apply, the contamination from beneficial use materials must be evaluated using a Detailed Risk Assessment.

Widespread road salt application

When remediating a parcel contaminated by beneficial use of road salt to meet numerical standards, and the same beneficial use will continue on adjacent parcels or roadways, you are not required to investigate or remediate beyond the parcel boundaries. The parcel may be eligible for a numerical certification document.