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Performance verification plans

Last updated on March 2, 2023

A performance verification plan (PVP) is a stand-alone document that describes the principal risk controls necessary to ensure that risk-based standards under the Contaminated Sites Regulation (CSR) are met at a site.

It lays out the actions needed to ensure these risk controls are implemented and maintained.

An example of risk control is a pavement cover placed over shallow contaminated soil. This eliminates the risk to humans and animals coming into contact with that soil.

General information

As a PVP supports the development and compliance with risk controls, it may be required for:

The person responsible for the remediation of a site is also responsible for the implementation of the PVP.  

A PVP may be modified based upon application to, and at the discretion of, the ministry.

To determine whether a PVP is necessary, sites are classified into Type 1 or 2 based on the type of risk control needed to meet CSR risk-based standards:

  • Type 1 sites generally do not require a PVP unless specified by the director
  • Type 2 sites that implement institutional and/or engineering controls require a PVP
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Site types and risk control examples 

Site Type Descriptions with Examples of Risk Controls
Site Type Example of Risk Controls

Type 1:

Site meets risk-based standards under current and future standards without risk controls.

The site has institutional control for limiting the presence of future drinking water wells where the site is serviced by a treated municipal water supply.

The site has engineered control of a paved cap covering soil contamination in a municipal roadway or sidewalk.

No risk controls:

Passes screening level risk assessment or detailed risk assessment despite operative exposure pathways.

Institutional controls:

Site groundwater must not be used for drinking water purposes.

The site will remain a municipal roadway and the asphalt cap will be maintained on a routine basis.

Type 2:

Site meets risk-based standards under current and future uses through use of institutional or engineered risk controls (apart from the risk controls noted in Site Type 1).

Institutional controls:

  • Fencing
  • Signage restricting use (for example: no trespassing)
  • Lack of receptor occupancy or contractual restriction of receptor, or Land Title restriction on soil disturbance or land use

Engineering controls:

  • Vapour barrier
  • Pavement or soil cap for deeper soil contamination
  • Secure containment of leachable contaminated soil in a lined cell
  • Groundwater extraction and treatment system
  • Soil vapour extraction and treatment system
  • Engineered barrier system or reactive wall
  • In situ soil treatment system
  • In situ water treatment system and ex situ soil treatment system
 

What to include in a PVP 

The ministry expects a PVP to include the following:

  • The necessary risk controls with the rationale for their selection
  • The actions required to implement, operate and monitor the identified risk controls
  • Detailed specifications on any engineering work to be implemented

The information on this web page does not replace the legislative requirements in the EMA or its regulations and it does not list all provisions for contaminated site services.

If there are differences between this information and the Act, Regulation, or Protocols, the Act, Regulation, and Protocols apply.