Category: MECP

  • Questions about GE’s Private Stormwater System

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    Applying Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act to GE

    In 2024, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) used four (partially overlapping) instruments under Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act (1990) to regulate GEPR Energy Canada’s (GE’s) properties in Peterborough, ON:

    1. Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA, dated December 10, 2018; revoked March 2024 and replaced by:
    2. Director’s Order 1-228916698, dated March 6, 2024
    3. Director’s Instructions for Interim PCB Waste Management — Monaghan Road, dated June 21, 1995; revoked May 2024 and replaced by Director’s Order 1-228916698, Appendix A: Requirements for the In-Situ Management of PCB-impacted Soils at the Monaghan Road Parking Lot on Site 2
    4. ECA 8032-BEJNAK, dated September 30, 2019.

    Director’s Order 1-228916698 applies to two Sites on GE’s properties:

    • “Site 1” means the property with two municipal addresses of 107 Park Street and 1160 Monaghan Road, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28081-0123.
    • “Site 2” means the property with two municipal addresses of 1063 and 1091 Monaghan Road, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28067-0046.

    Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA, dated December 10, 2018, covered two additional GE properties, until March 6, 2024:

    • “Site 3” means the property located at 297 Rink Street, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28091-0139.
    • “Site 4” means the property located at 107 Rubidge Street, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28091-0137.

    Director’s Instructions for Interim PCB Waste Management – Monaghan Road covered Site 2, until May 8, 2024.

    The MECP agreed to GE’s request that Site 3 and Site 4 be excluded from Director’s Order 1-228916698.1“On March 16, 2023, GEPR requested that Site 3 and Site 4 be removed from this Director’s Order. Those two properties were included in the previous order as there are monitoring wells located on them that are part of the Site monitoring program. However, the monitoring wells are being replaced with new monitoring wells to be located on adjacent off-property locations by GEPR, which is acceptable to the Ministry, and therefore it is appropriate to remove them as reflected in this Order.” Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Director’s Order 1-228916698, March 6, 2024, p. 6. The 2024 PCB Monitoring Report for Stormwater and Groundwater prepared by GE’s consultant, AECOM Canada ULC (AECOM), included findings for Site 3 and Site 4 per Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA, and findings for Site 2 per the 1995 Director’s Instructions.
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    Monitoring PCBs in GE’s Groundwater and Stormwater

    Director’s Order 1-228916698 identifies polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as one of two primary contaminants of concern associated with Site 1 and Site 2 – the other being trichloroethylene (TCE) and its degradation compounds, such as dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride:

    The main concern regarding potential off-site environmental impacts associated with the PCB contamination at the Site is for PCB molecules to be transported off-site via water discharges into the municipal storm water sewer system which flows eastward along Rink Street and discharges into Little Lake and the Otonabee River.

    Little Lake and the Otonabee River also subject to recreational water activities, and exposure to PCB contaminated waters and sediment may represent a human health risk. PCBs also transfer up the ecological food chain to other aquatic, terrestrial and avian species within which the contaminants may bioaccumulate and result in ecological impacts. As such, further inputs of PCBs to Little Lake and the Otonabee River system should be mitigated.

    Various studies have shown that deposits of PCB contaminated sediments are present in Little Lake and further downstream along the Otonabee River and in Rice Lake, which the Otonabee flows into, located approximately 20 kilometres south of the City of Peterborough.

    Studies have shown that PCBs are present within the tissues of sport fish collected from the Otonabee River and Rice Lake at concentrations that have caused fish consumption advisories to be issued and which should be followed for the protection of human health; refer to the MECP’s online ‘Guide to Eating Ontario Fish’. The Hiawatha First Nation community is located on the north shore of Rice Lake and community members, as well as other sport fishers, consume fish from the lake. …

    In regard to the PCB storm water sewers (water and sediment) and groundwater monitoring programs, MECP Eastern Region Technical Support Section reviews annual monitoring reports and provides comments that are reviewed with GEPR to guide further monitoring activities and site management actions. The reviews to date have recommended continuation of the ongoing monitoring program.

    Considering the long-term and wide-spread nature of the PCB contamination at the Site, and the ongoing instances of PCB contaminant concentrations in storm water discharges from the Site, it is expected that the PCB monitoring program will continue to be required of GEPR for many years to monitor the effectiveness of its actions to control, prevent and mitigate PCB discharges from the Site to the natural environment.2Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Director’s Order 1-228916698, March 6, 2024, pp. 8, 11.

    Details of GE’s program for monitoring PCBs in the groundwater and stormwater include:3See Director’s Order 1-228916698, Appendix B, Table 1: Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling Program, Table 3: Storm Sewer Monitoring Program, Figure 1A: Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling Location PCB at Facility,  Figure 1B: Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling Location PCB at Monaghan Road Parking Lot, and Figure 3: Storm Water Monitoring Locations.

    • Groundwater monitoring
      • Site 1: 3 monitoring wells
      • Site 2: 7 monitorong wells
      • Monitoring wells are sampled for Total PCB one time per year in the spring.
      • Monitoring includes measuring groundwater levels.
    • Stormwater monitoring
      • Site 1: 13 outfalls
      • Site 2: 4 outfalls
      • City of Peterborough: 5 manholes
      • Little Lake: sample taken 15 m from culvert inlet
      • Most storm sewer outfalls, including 3 City of Peterborough storm sewer manholes, are sampled three times per year during or immediately following a rain event (10 mm).
      • City of Peterborough manhole (MH135703), located near the intersection of George and Rink Streets, is sampled six times per year.
      • Where present, stormwater will be sampled for Total PCB (including Aroclors) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS).
      • Where present, sediment will be sampled for Total PCB and TSS and its thickness measured.

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    Questions about GE’s Private Stormwater System

    AECOM’s documentation of its monitoring of PCB raises a critical question about whether GE’s private stormwater system somehow connects to the City’s public stormwater system.

    On the one hand, AECOM’s 2024 PCB Monitoring Report for Stormwater and Groundwater  (Appendix K: Storm Sewer Data Summary) makes no mention of any connection between the two systems. AECOM usually remarks that the run-off of rainwater from different Zones of GE’s properties “feeds” or “flows toward” the City’s stormwater system:

    • Zone 1 “feeds the municipal storm sewer [STM.MH136551] on Wolfe Street, located north of the Site [1]”
    • Zone 2 “feeds the municipal storm sewer [STM.MH135683] on Park Street, located east of the Site [1]”
    • Zone 3 “feeds the municipal storm sewer on Albert Street. located south of the Site [1] … all of which flow towards City storm sewer MH135686”
    • Zone 4 “feeds the municipal storm sewers on Monaghan Road and Frank Street, located east and south of the Monaghan Road Property [Site 2]”
    • Zone 5 “feeds the municipal storm sewer on Monaghan Road [Site 2] … Some of the surface water from this area flows overland toward city CBs located on Monaghan Road. In 2016, MH166902 was established as the outfall monitoring location for Zone 5 … [and] collects stormwater drainage from Zone 5 and parts of Monaghan Road”
    • Zone 6 “feeds the municipal storm sewer on Rubidge and Townsend Street [Site 4] … All the water flows toward the STM.MH135686”
    • Zone 7 feeds the municipal storm sewer on Rubidge Street [Site 3] … All the water flows toward the STM.MH135686″

    On the other hand, AECOM’s Storm Sewer Monitoring Program seems to indicate that 15 of the 17 outfalls from Site 1 and Site 2 actually connect to the City’s stormwater system. AECOM puts asterisks beside two outfalls (CBR140 and CBR142) in Table 3 to indicate “Catch basin not connected to City storm sewer system. These locations will be monitored but will not be considered representative of storm water outfall from Site.”4Director’s Order 1-228916698, Appendix B, Table 3: Storm Sewer Monitoring Program.

    The question of whether GE’s private stormwater system connects to Peterborough’s public stormwater system seems critical to evaluating the efficacy of GE’s program for monitoring PCB in the stormwater. Accordingly, I have sought clarification from the Director, Peterborough District Office, MECP.

    According to AECOM’s 2024 PCB Monitoring Report for Stormwater and Groundwater, GE’s private stormwater system includes at least 162 catchbasins and manholes at Site 1 and Site 2 [p. ii]. AECOM’s maps of the Zones/Catchment Areas/Sub-catchment Areas associated with Site 1 and Site 2 in Appendix K refer to multiple features of GE’s stormwater system, including:

    • Storm Sewer Catchbasin
    • Decommissioned Storm Sewer Catchbasin
    • Storm Sewer Catchbasin – Below Water Table
    • Storm Sewer Manhole
    • Storm Sewer Manhole – Below Water Table
    • Storm Sewer – Below Water Table
    • Storm Sewer System (Underground)
    • Storm Sewer System (Overhead)
    • Inspected Sewer Pipe
    • Damaged Sewer Pipe
    • Jellyfish System

    The MECP has provided low-resolution, grayscale copies of these maps to the Canadian Environmental Law Association. Unfortunately, these images obscure many of features of GE’s stormwater system. I have asked the Director, Peterborough District Office, MECP for help in obtaining the higher-resolution, colour images copies of AECOM’s original submission of Appendix K.

    Findings

    Forthcoming.

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    • 1
      “On March 16, 2023, GEPR requested that Site 3 and Site 4 be removed from this Director’s Order. Those two properties were included in the previous order as there are monitoring wells located on them that are part of the Site monitoring program. However, the monitoring wells are being replaced with new monitoring wells to be located on adjacent off-property locations by GEPR, which is acceptable to the Ministry, and therefore it is appropriate to remove them as reflected in this Order.” Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Director’s Order 1-228916698, March 6, 2024, p. 6. ↩︎
    • 2
      Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Director’s Order 1-228916698, March 6, 2024, pp. 8, 11. ↩︎
    • 3
      See Director’s Order 1-228916698, Appendix B, Table 1: Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling Program, Table 3: Storm Sewer Monitoring Program, Figure 1A: Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling Location PCB at Facility,  Figure 1B: Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling Location PCB at Monaghan Road Parking Lot, and Figure 3: Storm Water Monitoring Locations. ↩︎
    • 4
      Director’s Order 1-228916698, Appendix B, Table 3: Storm Sewer Monitoring Program. ↩︎
  • MECP Director’s Order Number 1-228916698

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    Part A – Work Ordered

    Director’s Order Issued To
    GEPR ENERGY CANADA INC. 1919 MINNESOTA CRT SUITE 100, MISSISSAUGA, ON, L5N 0C9

    Site
    General Electric
    107 PARK ST N, PETERBOROUGH, ON, K9J 3V6

    This work is ordered pursuant to my authority under EPA | 132 | (1), EPA | 18 | (1), EPA | 197 | (1), I order you to do the following:

    Item No. 1

    Within fifteen days of service of this Order, submit written confirmation to the Director by email to [email protected] and environment. [email protected] that the Qualified Consultant that was retained to comply with the requirements of Director’s Order GE-PTBO DO001FA continues to be retained to conduct the work required by this Order. The written confirmation shall include confirmation from the Qualified Consultant that they have, (1) received a copy of this Order; (2) been retained to carry out the work; and (3) the experience and qualifications to carry out such work.

    Item No. 2

    Within thirty days of service of this Order, arrange for the Qualified Consultant retained as a result of Item No. 1 to commence the activities and tasks associated with Contaminants of Concern at the Site as detailed in Appendices A and B, and arrange for the Qualified Consultant to continue to undertake the activities and tasks identified in Appendices A and B in accordance with the timelines set out in the appendices until the Director revokes or amends this Order.

    Item No. 3

    Within thirty days of service of this Order, submit to the Director by email to [email protected] and [email protected] for acceptance, a Financial Assurance evaluation in accordance with the Ministry’s Financial Assurance Guideline F-15, which shall specify the amount of Financial Assurance to be provided to the Ministry to provide sufficient funds to implement and complete the ongoing work required by Item No. 2 of this Order and detailed in Appendices A and B. The Financial Assurance evaluation shall include written analyses, detailed and itemized calculations, and, if necessary, accounting documents to provide a justification of the proposed amount.

    Item No. 4

    Within sixty days of receipt of the Director’s acceptance of the Financial Assurance evaluation submitted pursuant to Item No. 3 of this Order, submit to the Director in accordance with the instructions set out in the acceptance, payment of the accepted amount of Financial Assurance.

    Item No. 5

    Commencing on October 31, 2027, and every four years thereafter until the Initial Financial Assurance submitted as a result of Item No. 4 has been returned, submit to the Director a re-evaluation of the amount of Initial Financial Assurance (Re-evaluated Financial Assurance). The re-evaluation shall be done in accordance with the Ministry’s Financial Assurance Guideline F- 15, and shall include written analyses, detailed and itemized calculations, and, if necessary, accounting documents to provide a justification of the proposed amounts.

    Item No. 6

    Within twenty-one days of receipt of the Director’s acceptance of the Re- evaluated Financial Assurance evaluation submitted pursuant to Item No. 5 of this Order, submit to the Director in accordance with the instructions set out in the acceptance payment of the accepted amount of Re-evaluated Financial Assurance.

    Item No. 7

    Upon service of this Order, GEPR Energy Canada Inc. and any other person with an interest in the Site shall, before dealing with the Site in any way, give a copy of this Order, including any amendments thereto, to every person who will acquire an interest in the Site as a result of the dealing.

    Item No. 8

    Within fifteen days of receipt of an acknowledgment and direction form signed by the Director enclosing a certificate of withdrawal, register the certificate of withdrawal issued under s. 197 of the EPA on title to Site 1, Site 2, Site 3 and Site 4, in the appropriate land registry office.

    Item No. 9

    Within fifteen days of receipt of an acknowledgment and direction form signed by the Director enclosing a certificate of requirement, register the certificate of requirement issued under s. 197 of the EPA on title to Site 1 and Site 2 in the appropriate land registry office.

    Item No. 10

    Within five days of registration of each of the Certificates of Withdrawal and Requirement as required by Items No. 8 and 9, provide written verification to the Director that the Certificates of Withdrawal and Requirement have been registered on title to each of Site 1, and Site 2, and that the Certificates of Withdrawal have been registered on title for each of Site 1, Site 2, Site 3 and Site 4, respectively.

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    Part B – Background and Reasons

    This Director’s Order is being issued for the reasons set out below.

    Definitions

    For the purposes of this Director’s Order, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set out below: “CGECL” means Canadian General Electric Canada Limited (Ontario Corporation Number 000001701), a predecessor corporation of General Electric Canada Company (Ontario Corporation Number 001796028), a previous owner of the Site.

    “Contaminants of Concern” includes but is not necessarily limited to the following compounds and any associated degradation compounds:

    1. polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
    2. trichloroethylene (TCE)
    3. dichloroethylene (DCE)
    4. vinyl chloride (VC).

    “Director” means the undersigned or any other person appointed for purposes of s. 18, 132, and 197 of the EPA.

    “Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA” means the Director’s Order that was issued on December 10, 2018, under the EPA, to General Electric Canada Company and General Electric Canada Property Inc.

    “EPA” means the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19.

    “Financial Assurance” or “FA” has the same meaning as in section 131 of the EPA,

    “GECC” means General Electric Canada Company, the successor company to Canadian General Electric Corporation Limited (Ontario Corporation Number 000001701) and, General Electric Canada Inc. (Ontario Corporation Numbers 000576365 and 000875925).

    “GECPI” means General Electric Canada Property Inc., the previous owner of the Site.

    “GEPR” means GEPR Energy Canada Inc., the current owner of the Site.

    “Ministry” or “MECP” means the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

    “PCBs” means polychlorinated biphenyls.

    “PWQO” means Ontario’s Provincial Water Quality Objectives.

    “Qualified Consultant” means a person who has obtained the appropriate education and training and has demonstrated experience and expertise in the areas relating to the work required to be carried out by this Order. For the purposes of this Order, the person shall also meet the qualifications set out in Section 5 of O. Reg. 153/04, made under the EPA.

    “Site” means the two properties located within the city of Peterborough, Ontario consisting of Site 1 and Site 2, as defined below.

    “Site 1” means the property with two municipal addresses of 107 Park Street and 1160 Monaghan Road, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28081-0123.

    “Site 2” means the property with two municipal addresses of 1063 and 1091 Monaghan Road, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28067-0046.

    “Site 3” means the property located at 297 Rink Street, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28091-0139, which was subject to the previous Director’s Order GE- PTBO-DO001FA but is not subject to this Order.

    “Site 4” means the property located at 107 Rubidge Street, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28091-0137, which was subject to the previous Director’s Order GE- PTBO-DO001FA but is not subject to this Order.

    “TCE” means trichloroethylene.

    “VOCs” means volatile organic compounds.

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    Description of Person(s) Subject to the Director’s Order

    GEPR Energy Canada Inc. is a federally incorporated company, corporation number 1394805- 6, incorporated on April 12, 2022. GEPR is a successor to the previous owner the Site, along with Site 3 and Site 4, whereby ownership of the four properties were transferred to GEPR on January 3, 2023, from General Electric Canada Property Inc. which owned of the four properties since 2004. GEPR was created as part of the corporate restructuring process of General Electric (parent company of General Electric Canada Company (GECC)) to subdivide the company into three separate corporations which commenced at the beginning of 2023 with spinoff of GE’s Health Care business (GE Healthcare).

    The separation of the two remaining businesses (GE Aerospace and GE Vernova) is still underway and planned to be completed during 2024. GEPR is a subordinate company within GE Vernova which designs and manufactures various types of energy production and management systems. As part of the restructuring, GEPR has assumed the responsibilities for the Site, including any off-site impacts, that GECC and CECPI are or were responsible for under the EPA.

    GECC is the successor corporation to various former corporate entities which previously owned and had management and control of the four properties (Site 1, 2, 3 and 4) for decades. More specifically, GECC and its predecessor corporations owned and had management and control of all or significant portions of the four properties as follows: Site 1 since in or around 1893; Site 2 since in or around 1947; Site 3 since in or around 1910/11; and since in or around 1928 for at least a portion of Site 4 and since 1980 in terms of Site 4 in its entirety.

    Description of the Site and/or System/Facility

    The Site is located within the City of Peterborough where there are various land uses in the surrounding areas, including predominantly residential, as well as some commercial and industrial uses, and a school (Prince of Wales Public School).

    The Site that is the subject of this Order consists of two separate properties defined as Site 1 and Site 2. The previous Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA was issued with respect to four properties which included two additional properties, Site 3 and Site 4. On March 16, 2023, GEPR requested that Site 3 and Site 4 be removed from this Director’s Order. Those two properties were included in the previous order as there are monitoring wells located on them that are part of the Site monitoring program. However, the monitoring wells are being replaced with new monitoring wells to be located on adjacent off-property locations by GEPR, which is acceptable to the Ministry, and therefore it is appropriate to remove them as reflected in this Order.

    Site 1 was used for manufacturing purposes between 1891 and 2018. In or around 1891, a large manufacturing plant was constructed at Site 1 consisting of three buildings with a total manufacturing area of 74,000 square feet. Industrial manufacturing of dynamos, motors for stationary power and electrical railway purposes, mining locomotives, underground conductors, electrical instruments, appliances, electric cables and insulated wire took place in the early years of manufacturing at the Site. Over the years, manufacturing continued and changed. During the First World War, manufacturing shifted to the production of artillery, shells and guns. In or around 1946, separate buildings were developed for the fractional motors and porcelain departments. Industrial manufacturing in the form of large electrical motors and other components continued at Site 1 until the manufacturing activities were ceased by GECC in late 2018. Some buildings at Site 1 continue to be used for office space by a limited number of GEPR employees.

    Site 2 consists largely of undeveloped land, however, there are several parking lot areas on the eastern portion of the property, along Monaghan Road, that are used by employees of GEPR and a formerly associated business. Some activities related to the industrial manufacturing businesses at Site 1 may have occurred on Site 2 over time, based on the presence of contaminants there, including PCBs. Site 2 has one building that is located near its southeastern corner (at the corner of Frank Street and Monaghan Road) and one building located in the northwestern corner along High Street.

    Site 3 (297 Rink Street) and Site 4 (107 Rubidge Street) are small vacant properties located immediately east of Site 1 that are currently used as parking areas. A railway line passes along the southeastern side of Site 3 where a former rail spur, that served the GECC plant facility on Site 1, splits off and passes through the northern part of Site 4, along its route to the plant facility. Groundwater monitoring wells were located on Sites 3 and 4 that were sampled as part of GECC’s Site monitoring program in relation to the TCE contamination issue. These monitoring wells are in the process of being replaced by new wells to be established on adjacent off-property locations, which is acceptable to the Ministry.

    Through various industrial and related activities that occurred over time at the Site, contamination of soil and groundwater resulted, including PCBs and TCE. PCBs and TCE (along with associated degradation compounds, such as dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride) are the primary Contaminants of Concern at the Site.

    PCBs were once widely deployed in the industrial sector within dielectric and coolant fluids in electrical apparatus and in heat transfer fluids.

    TCE has typically been used in the industrial sector as a solvent for degreasing metal materials and parts during the manufacture of products.

    Both Sites 1 and 2 are the subject of ongoing environmental monitoring/sampling, assessment and remedial/mitigative activities undertaken by GEPR to manage these contamination issues and to mitigate contaminant discharges and potential adverse effects. These environmental monitoring/sampling, assessment and remedial/mitigative activities have been ongoing since at least the 1980’s.

    The two sites are serviced with storm water sewers (Site 1 extensively, and Site 2 to a limited extent on-site, but with surface water runoff directed to surrounding municipal storm water sewer lines) that connect to the municipal storm water sewer system in the surrounding areas which is owned by the City of Peterborough. The municipal storm water sewer system in the immediate vicinity of the Site drains eastwardly along Rink Street into Little Lake which is situated on the Otonabee River within the city.

    Little Lake and the Otonabee River system are the subject of ongoing environmental monitoring and assessments in regard to accumulated sediment that contains PCBs (and other contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals) and associated environmental impacts by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and by Parks Canada Agency, an agency of the federal Crown which owns the water lot section of the Otonabee River and Little Lake that is part of the Trent-Severn Waterway.

    Reasons for the Director’s Order

    This Order revokes and replaces Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA that was issued on December 10, 2018, for the purpose of updating various information and requirements, and replaces Director’s Instructions issued by the ministry on June 21, 1995. It also addresses the in-situ management of PCB impacted soils that have previously been managed in accordance with Director’s Instructions issued under Regulation 362 under the EPA. More specific details are provided below.

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    Environmental Concerns associated with the Site Contamination

    The two primary contaminants of concern for the purposes of this Order are PCBs and TCE, as described in the following sections.

    a) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

    The main concern regarding potential off-Site environmental impacts associated with the PCB contamination at the Site is for PCB molecules to be transported off-site via water discharges into the municipal storm water sewer system which flows eastward along Rink Street and discharges into Little Lake and the Otonabee River.

    Little Lake and the Otonabee River also subject to recreational water activities, and exposure to PCB contaminated waters and sediment may represent a human health risk. PCBs also transfer up the ecological food chain to other aquatic, terrestrial and avian species within which the contaminants may bioaccumulate and result in ecological impacts. As such, further inputs of PCBs to Little Lake and the Otonabee River system should be mitigated.

    Various studies have shown that deposits of PCB contaminated sediments are present in Little Lake and further downstream along the Otonabee River and in Rice Lake, which the Otonabee flows into, located approximately 20 kilometres south of the City of Peterborough. Studies have shown that PCBs are present within the tissues of sport fish collected from the Otonabee River and Rice Lake at concentrations that have caused fish consumption advisories to be issued and which should be followed for the protection of human health; refer to the MECP’s online ‘Guide to Eating Ontario Fish‘. The Hiawatha First Nation community is located on the north shore of Rice Lake and community members, as well as other sport fishers, consume fish from the lake.

    Since the City of Peterborough, including the Site and its vicinity, is serviced with municipal water supply obtained from the Otonabee River some distance upstream of the Site and Little Lake, potential human health impacts associated with PCB groundwater contamination at the Site are unlikely.

    GEPR undertakes an annual PCB monitoring and mitigation program for surface water and sediments in storm water sewers, and for groundwater, as part of its management of the PCB contamination issues at the Site. The PCB monitoring program and findings are described in more detail in sections below.

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    b) Trichloroethylene (TCE)

    TCE is a chlorinated volatile organic compound. As a subsurface soil and groundwater contaminant (as is the case for the Site), the chemical may volatilize (become gaseous) into the subsurface soil vapour zone with the potential to infiltrate into the airspaces of buildings, including houses. TCE can then cause human health impacts to residents who may inhale the vapours, given sufficient concentration and time exposure. TCE may also degrade within the subsurface environment to form other volatile organic compounds, such as dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride, which have similar properties and environmental concerns.

    Since the City of Peterborough and local area is serviced with municipal water supply, consumption of impacted groundwater is not likely to occur, and since the contamination is within the subsurface environment, it should not represent a public health risk via direct contact with, or ingestion of, impacted soil or groundwater; however, the volatilization of these VOCs in the soil may pose a risk to indoor air of buildings located in the area of the off-site TCE plume.

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    History and Background

    a) PCB Monitoring Program History

    GECC submitted a report entitled “Storm Sewer Monitoring Program, 2012 Annual Report (Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, April 2013)” which provides the following background description regarding the operational history and PCB occurrence for Site 1 and Site 2 (the two properties subject to this Order):

    “The Site was originally developed for manufacturing operations in the late 1880s. Historical and/or current operations conducted at the Site include capacitor manufacturing, large motor manufacturing, small AC motor manufacturing, and AC traction motor manufacturing. PCBs were historically used in the manufacturing of capacitors. Wastes oils, some containing PCBs, were also used as a dust suppressant at the Site and Monaghan Road Parking Lot. Monitoring of the PCB impacts on storm water, sediment, and groundwater has been conducted since 1992. …”

    Note: the reference to ‘Site’ in the above excerpt is regarding Site 1, and the reference to the Monaghan Road Parking Lot is regarding part of Site 2.

    These historical activities at Site 1 and Site 2 resulted in PCB contamination of soils and other surfaces. PCB soil contamination was identified in the southern parking lot area of Site 2, which has been managed ‘in-place’ by GECC/GEPR since the mid-1990s through Director’s Instructions issued by the ministry on June 21, 1995 (which revised previous Director’s Instructions, dated November 2, 1993).

    The Director’s Instructions provided for the establishment and operation of an interim PCB Waste Management site by ensuring a protective cap layer is maintained over the impacted soils, along with a requirement to implement a groundwater and surface water monitoring program.

    In 2011, an expanded annual PCB Site monitoring program (in addition to that required by the Director’s Instructions, noted above) was implemented which, included the collection of water and sediment samples (in the spring, summer and fall seasons) from storm sewers outfalls from Site 1. The outline of the program, including the Site evaluation criteria for surface water and sediment discharges, was set out in a document prepared by the Ministry, entitled ‘Storm Sewer Monitoring Program for PCBs, General Electric Canada – Peterborough, February 2, 2011‘.

    A work plan was submitted to the Ministry in May 2012, which consolidated the annual PCB monitoring and reporting activities for the Site. Since 2012, GECC/GEPR has undertaken an annual maintenance and monitoring program, including the clean-out of PCB-impacted sediments from their storm sewers in response to instances of elevated PCB sampling results, as well as various activities to investigate and mitigate sources of PCBs, including soil sampling and the implementation of Best Management Practices (e.g., the cleaning of exterior surfaces such as paved areas). These annual site monitoring and management activities are detailed in an annual report submitted to the Ministry each year.

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    b) In-Situ Management of PCB-Impacted Soils at the Monaghan Road Parking Lot

    As noted above, the regulatory authority and requirements that provide for the PCB- contaminated soils at the Monaghan Road Parking Lot soils, located on Site 2, to be managed ‘in-situ’ through the implementation of appropriate risk management measures, is being transferred from the previous Director’s Instructions (1995) to this Order.

    The PCB-contaminated soils are being managed through the use of an asphalt cap (barrier) to prevent the erosion and migration of PCB contaminants in surface water runoff. PCB molecules are considered to have a relatively low mobility within the subsurface groundwater system due to their nature to bind to soil particles.

    The inspection and maintenance details of the risk management measures required of GEPR for the management of the PCB-impacted soils at the Monaghan Road Parking Lot are set out in Appendix A.

    GEPR undertakes a surface water, sediment and groundwater monitoring program with respect to the management of the PCB-impacted soils at the Monaghan Road Parking Lot to ensure the risk management measures are effective in preventing the mobilization of PCBs and their exposure to the natural environment and human receptors. The details of the monitoring and management program component for this area are contained in Appendix B.

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    c) TCE Monitoring Program and Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System

    Environmental investigations of the Site by GECC began in 1981, with the installation of groundwater wells and implementation of a monitoring and sampling program. Subsequent investigations resulted in the characterization of the subsurface hydrology and delineation of an area impacted by VOCs, where TCE and its degradation products were the primary concern.

    In 2001, a remedial action plan was approved by the Ministry, which included:

    1. the implementation of a groundwater extraction and treatment system to hydraulically contain and mitigate the off-site migration of the VOC plume;
    2. the investigation and assessment of the TCE source, including removal of free product; and
    3. the completion of a site-specific risk assessment and the ongoing assessment of monitored natural attenuation of off-site TCE groundwater impacts.

    The site-specific risk assessment was accepted by the Ministry in September 2002, which provided site-specific groundwater criteria for existing on-site and off-site VOC impacts.

    The groundwater extraction and treatment system (GETS) was activated in October 2004. Since then, annual summary reports detailing the geologic and hydrogeologic conditions, and the performance of the GETS and monitoring activities, have been completed and submitted to the Ministry by GECC.

    In addition to groundwater monitoring and sampling, GECC/GEPR has undertaken soil vapour sampling in the area of the off-site TCE plume beginning in 2000 and submits annual Soil Vapour Monitoring reports to the ministry.

    GEPR is currently in the process of replacing and updating the GETS during 2023.

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    d) Current Status of Site Operations and Monitoring Requirements

    In late August 2017, GECC announced that it would be ceasing its industrial manufacturing activities at its Peterborough plant located at the Site in the fall of 2018.

    Ongoing monitoring and remediation programs of the Contaminants of Concern have been undertaken on a voluntary basis by GECC. Financial Assurance was previously required by Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA that was issued on December 10, 2018, for any of the ongoing environmental programs or activities that were the subject of that Order, and the corresponding Financial Assurance continues to be in place, subject to the issuance of this Order.

    In regard to the PCB storm water sewers (water and sediment) and groundwater monitoring programs, MECP Eastern Region Technical Support Section reviews annual monitoring reports and provides comments that are reviewed with GEPR to guide further monitoring activities and site management actions. The reviews to date have recommended continuation of the ongoing monitoring program.

    Considering the long-term and wide-spread nature of the PCB contamination at the Site, and the ongoing instances of PCB contaminant concentrations in storm water discharges from the Site, it is expected that the PCB monitoring program will continue to be required of GEPR for many years to monitor the effectiveness of its actions to control, prevent and mitigate PCB discharges from the Site to the natural environment.

    Similarly, the ministry’s Eastern Region Technical Support Section reviews the annual GETS monitoring reports and recommends the continued operation of the GETS and continuation of the ongoing groundwater and soil vapour TCE monitoring programs.

    The specifications of the PCB and TCE monitoring and remedial programs described above are summarized in the GEPET_60698930T_4011_03_002_02 – Monitoring Program Summary (20230726) – [10 pages, dated 2023/07/26] that is attached as Appendix B and forms part of this Order.

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    Authority to Issue the Director’s Order

    I am issuing this Director’s Order under my authority as a Director under the following legislation, which also includes the authority to take intermediate action and/or procedural steps:

    I am issuing this Director’s Order under my authority as a Director under the following legislation, which also includes the authority to take intermediate action and/or procedural steps:

    Sections 18, 132 and 197 of the EPA.

    Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that GEPR is the current owner of the Site and is the successor to the prior corporate owners of the Site who were previously in management or control of the Site and/or of activities undertaken on the Site that is contaminated with Contaminants of Concern.

    Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that it is reasonable to believe that the Site is currently contaminated and has been contaminated for some time.

    The Site is a source of the Contaminants of Concern which have migrated off the Site and onto adjacent properties.

    If the TCE groundwater remediation and containment program and other monitoring and mitigation programs described in Appendices A and B and as they may be amended or revised from time to time do not continue, groundwater and/or surface water contaminated with the Contaminants of Concern may continue to migrate off the Site and onto adjacent properties where adverse effects may occur or have already occurred.

    I reasonably believe that the requirements of this Order are necessary and advisable to prevent or reduce the risk of a discharge of groundwater and/or surface water impacted with the Contaminants of Concern into the natural environment from the Site and to prevent, decrease or eliminate any adverse effects that may result from such a discharge or from the presence or discharge of the Contaminants of Concern in, on or under the Site related to soil vapour, groundwater and surface water impacts.

    I am of the opinion that it is reasonable and appropriate, and consistent with my authority under section 132 of the EPA and the Ministry’s Financial Assurance Guideline F-15, specifically sections 4.4 and 4.4.5 of that Guideline, that Financial Assurance be provided by the GEPR so that funds are available for the MECP, in the event that the GEPR is unable or becomes unable or unwilling to provide ongoing care, monitoring and control of contamination issues related to the Site.

    Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA that was issued on December 10, 2018 is hereby revoked.

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    Attachments

    The attachments listed below, if any, form part of this Director’s Order:

    Issuing Director

    Name: David Bradley
    Job Title: District Manager
    Address: 300 WATER ST 2ND FLR, PETERBOROUGH, ON, K9J 3C7
    Director Email: [email protected]
    Office Email: [email protected]
    Date: Mar 6, 2024

    Appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal Information

    You may require a hearing before the Ontario Land Tribunal if, within 15 days of service of this Director’s Order, you serve written notice of your appeal on the Ontario Land Tribunal and the Director as indicated in the Contact Information below. Your notice of appeal must state the portions of this Director’s Order for which a hearing is required and the grounds on which you intend to rely at the hearing. Unless you receive leave (permission) from the Ontario Land Tribunal, you are not entitled to appeal a portion of this Director’s Order or to rely on grounds of appeal that are not stated in the notice of appeal. …
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    Additional Information

    Unless stayed by the Director or the Ontario Land Tribunal, this Director’s Order is effective from the date of service.

    Failure to comply with a requirement of this Director’s Order constitutes an offence. Unless otherwise indicated, the obligation to comply with a requirement of this Director’s Order continues on each day after the specified compliance date until the obligation has been satisfied.

    The requirements of this Director’s Order are minimum requirements only and do not mean that you are not required to comply with any other applicable legal requirements, including any:

    • statute, regulation, or by-law;
    • federal, provincial, or municipal law; or
    • applicable requirements that are not addressed in this Director’s Order.

    The requirements of this Director’s Order are severable. If any requirement of this Director’s Order, or the application of any requirement to any circumstance, is held invalid, such finding does not invalidate or render unenforceable the requirement in other circumstances. It also does not invalidate or render unenforceable the other requirements of this Director’s Order.

    Further orders may be issued in accordance with the legislation as circumstances require.

    This Director’s Order is binding upon any successors or assignees of the persons to whom this Director’s Order is issued.

    The procedures to request a hearing and an appeal of this Director’s Order and other information provided above are intended as a guide. The legislation should be consulted for additional details and accurate reference. Further information can be obtained from e-Laws at www.ontario.ca/laws.

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    Appendix A – Requirements for the In-situ Management of PCB-impacted Soils at the Monaghan Road Parking Lot on Site 2

    In conjunction with the Site monitoring program as outlined in Appendix B to this Order, GEPR shall implement the following inspection and maintenance actions for the management of the PCB-impacted soils at Site 2:

    i. All locations within the defined area of PCB-impacted soils at Site 2, which were previously determined as containing soils with PCB concentrations greater than 5 micrograms per gram (ug/g), shall remain covered with a minimum of 5 centimetres of asphalt and the cover shall be maintained at all times. The currently defined area of the in-situ PCB-impacted soils at Site 2 that is subject to these requirements is outlined in Figure 1B of Appendix B.

    ii. The defined area shall be inspected by authorized personnel on a monthly basis and written records will be maintained of these inspections, including inspection date and condition of the asphalt cover. The records shall be signed digitally by an authorized inspector and a copy maintained at the Site. Any problem identified that may impact the environmental integrity of the in-situ management of the PCB-impacted soils at Site 2 shall be reported to the Peterborough District Manager or designate forthwith.

    iii. A summary of the inspections conducted, problems cited, and corrective actions taken shall be included in the annual report specified in Appendix B.

    Appendix B

    Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling Program

    Groundwater monitoring wells shall be monitored and sampled one time per year in spring subject to well accessibility and condition, Table 1.

    Monitoring includes groundwater level measurements. Groundwater shall be sampled for Total PCB or Select VOCs (1,1 DCE; trans- 1,2 DCE; cis- 1,2 DCE, TCE, VC) annually and for Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) parameters every five years. The groundwater monitoring program shall be reviewed annually by the Qualified Person (QP) and any recommendations for change or amendments shall be submitted to the Ministry for review. Any recommendations accepted by the Ministry shall be implemented and shall form part of Appendix E as amended. Monitoring results and recommendations shall be reported annually under the titles PCB Monitoring Report for Storm Water and Groundwater and Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System Monitoring Report.

    Table 1 – Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling Program
    Well ID PCB
    Facility
    PCB
    Monaghan
    Select VOCs
    RAP / SSRA
    MNA
    RAP / SSRA
    EW1 X
    EW2 X
    EW3 X
    EW4 X
    EW5 X
    EW6 X
    EW7 X
    MW05R X
    MW11R2 X X
    MW25 X
    MW26 X
    MW28 X
    MW32 X
    MW33 X
    MW35 X
    MW37A X
    MW38 X
    MW49 X
    MW50 X
    MW51 X
    MW52 X
    MW53 X
    MW58 X
    MW59R X X
    MW60R X X
    MW61 X X
    MW62 X
    MW63R X X
    MW64 X X
    MW65 X X
    MW66 X X
    MW67 X
    MW68 X X
    MW71 X X
    MW73 X
    MW102 X
    MW103 X
    MW104 X

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    Soil Vapour Monitoring Program

    Soil vapour probes shall be sampled once per year in the summer subject to well accessibility and condition, Table 2. Waterloo Membrane Samplers (WMS) shall be used to collect soil gas samples.

    Samples shall be analyzed for select VOCs (1,1 DCE; trans- 1,2 DCE; cis- 1,2 DCE, TCE, VC)

    The soil vapour monitoring program shall be reviewed annually by the QP and any recommendations for change or amendments shall be submitted to the Ministry for review. Any recommendations accepted by the Ministry shall be implemented and shall form part of Appendix E as amended.

    Monitoring results and recommendations shall be reported annually under the title Soil Vapour Monitoring Report.

    Table 2 – Soil Vapour Monitoring and Sampling Program
    Well ID WMS
    GP3-12 X
    GP5-12 X
    GP7-12 X
    GP18-12 X
    GP19-12 X
    GP21-12 X

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    Storm Sewer Monitoring Program

    Storm Sewer Outfalls including three City of Peterborough Storm Sewer manholes shall be monitored and sampled three times per year (except as noted below) during or immediately following a rain event (10mm) subject to outfall accessibility and condition, Table 3.

    Monitoring shall include a visual inspection of the CB/MH and measurement of sediment thickness. Where present, sediment shall be sampled for Total PCB (including Aroclors) and TOC. Where present, stormwater shall be sampled for Total PCB (including Aroclors) and TSS. The Monaghan Road Parking Lot shall be inspected by an authorized person on a monthly basis and written records will be maintained of these inspections, including inspection date and condition of the asphalt cover. The storm sewer monitoring program shall be reviewed annually by the QP and any recommendations for change or amendments shall be submitted to the Ministry for review. Any recommendations accepted by the Ministry shall be implemented and shall form part of Appendix E as amended.

    Monitoring results and recommendations shall be reported annually under the title PCB Monitoring Report for Storm Water and Groundwater.

    Table 3 – Storm Sewer Monitoring and Sampling Program
    MH/CB ID Facility
    Outfalls
    Monaghan Rd
    Outfalls
    City of Peterborough Little Lake
    MHR1 X
    MHR35 X
    MHR41 X
    CBR35 X
    CBR73 X
    CBR82 X
    C.STM.MH X
    CBR90 X
    CBR94 X
    CBR107 X
    CBR111 X
    CBR112 X
    CBMRH113 X
    CBMHR130 X
    CBR137 X
    CBR140 * X
    CBR142 * X
    MH135686 X
    MH135683 X
    MH136551 X
    MH166902 X
    MH135703 ** X
    LL-15 X

    *   Catch basin not connected to City storm sewer system. These locations will be monitored but will not be considered representative of storm water outfall from Site.
    **  Location shall be monitored and sampled six times per year during or immediately following a rain event (10mm) subject to outfall accessibility and condition

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    Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System (GETS)

    The Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System (GETS) operates in the southeast corner of the Site to provide hydraulic containment along a network of seven groundwater extraction wells, EW1 through EW7, located along the southern property boundary.
    The GETS operates under the following permits:

    1. Permit to Take Water (PTTW) No. 6551-BCWQSV, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP);
    2. Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) 7896-9HDRYN, MOECC: for treatment of groundwater via air stripping; and,
    3. Slug Discharge Permit, City of Peterborough (City): for discharge of treated groundwater to the City’s sanitary sewer.

    In accordance with PTTW, daily water taking from all extraction wells are reported annually on a calendar year basis.

    There is no specific monitoring required under the ECA. The ECA is part of a Site-wide ECA. [ECA 8032-BEJNAK?]

    Operation of the PTTW (including any sampling) is subject to maintenance and repairs as required.

    A consolidated summary of GETS operation and performance monitoring is reported annually under a report titled Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System Monitoring Report.

    Annual Reporting Details

    Each of the annual reports referred to in this document will be submitted to the Ministry by the end of February each year in the form of three paper copies and an electronic copy.

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    References

    • 1995-06-21 – MECP, Director’s Instructions, Interim PCB Waste Management – Monaghan Road (Source: AECOM_2024-PCB-Monitoring-Report-for-Stormwater-and-Groundwater_20250228, pp. 74-76).
    • 2011-02-02 – MECP, Storm Sewer Monitoring Program for PCBs, General Electric Canada – Peterborough
    • 2013-04-00 – GECC/GEPR – Storm Sewer Monitoring Program, 2012 Annual Report (Conestoga-Rovers & Associates)
    • 2018-12-10 – MECP, Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA (Source: AECOM_2024-PCB-Monitoring-Report-for-Stormwater-and-Groundwater_20250228, pp. 78-138)
      • Appendix A – 2017-07-06 – MOECP – Technical Memorandum Re: Surface Water/Sediment Results in GE’s 2016 PCB Monitoring Report for Stormwater and Groundwater (February 2017) (pp. 101-108)
      • Appendix B – 2018-01-05 – MECP – Technical Memorandum re: Groundwater Monitoring Results in GE’s 2016 PCB Monitoring Report for Stormwater and Groundwater (February 2017) (pp. 110-113)
      • Appendix C – 2017-06-13 – MECP – Technical Memorandum re: GE’s 2016 Soil Vapour Monitoring Report (February 16, 2017) (pp. 115-119)
      • Appendix D – 2015-04-23 – MECP – Technical Memorandum re: GE’s 2014 Groundwater Extraction and Treatment Report, Monitoring Program Summary Document, including Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System Operation (pp. 121-126)
      • Appendix E – 2018-12-07 – AECOM – Monitoring Program Summary (pp. 128-134)
      • Appendix F – I – MECP – Certificates of Requirement
    • 2019-09-30_MECP_ECA-8032-BEJNAK (Source: AECOM 2024 PCB Monitoring Report for Stormwater and Groundwater pp. 140-151)
    • 2024-05-08_MECP_Revocation of Director’s Instructions (1995-06-21) (pp. 183-184)
    • 2025-01-31_MECP_Comments re groundwater component of GE’s 2023 PCB Monitoring Report for Stormwater and Groundwater (pp. 247-248)
    • 2024-09-17_MECP_Comments re surface water component of GE’s 2023 PCB Monitoring Report for Stormwater and Groundwater (pp. 250-259)
    • ???_AECOM_Background_Site Geologic and Hydrogeological Summary (pp. 262-265, 268-283)
    • ???_AECOM_Historical Results (pp.286-366) (not extracted)
    • ???_AECOM_Certificates of Analysis (pp. 369-645) (not extracted)
    • ???_AECOM_Monitoring Program Methodology_GE Peterborough Soil Management Plan (pp. 648-651, 653-658)
    • ???_AECOM_Hydrologic Calculations (pp. 678-679)
    • ???_AECOM_Groundwater Quality Sampling Plan v.11 (pp. 689-695)
    • ???_AECOM_Stormwater Monitoring Programs v.11 (pp. 697-698)
    • ???_AECOM_Storm Sewer Data Summary by Zones (pp. 700-795)
    • ?? – MECP, Guide to Eating Fish
    • ?? GECC/GEPR – Annual Soil Vapour Monitoring Report
    • ?? GECC/GEPR – Annual PCB Monitoring Report for Storm Water and Groundwater Report
    • ?? GECC/GEPR – Annual Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System (GETS) Monitoring Report
    • ?? Waterloo Membrane Samplers (WMS)
    • ?? – MECP, Financial Assurance Guideline F-15
    • ?? – MECP, Environmental Protection Act
    • GECC/GEPR, Initial Financial Assurance
    • MECP, Re-evaluated Financial Assurance
    • Certificate of Withdrawal
    • Certificate of Requirement
    • MECP, Permit to Take Water (PTTW) No. 6551-BCWQSV
    • MECP, Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) 7896-9HDRYN
    • City of Peterborough, Slug Discharge Permit
    • MECP, Site-wide ECA

    Documents

    Author Title Date Mentioned by Attached to Local Download
    GE Letter of Proposal April 30, 1993 Director’s Instructions 1995 N/A NEEDED
    GE Letter of Proposal September 27, 29913 Director’s Instructions 1995 N/A NEEDED
    MEE Director’s Instructions 1993 November 2, 1993 Director’s Instructions 1995 N/A NEEDED
    GE Letter of Proposal April 10, 1995 Director’s Instructions 1995 N/A NEEDED
    MEE Director’s Instructions 1995 June 21, 1995 AECOM_2024-PCB-Monitoring-Report-for-Stormwater-and-Groundwater_20250228 AECOM_2024-PCB-Monitoring-Report-for-Stormwater-and-Groundwater_20250228, pp. 74-76 Director’s Instructions 1995
    MECP Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA December 10, 2018 Director’s Order Number 1-228916698 N/A Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA
    MECP Director’s Order 1-228916698 – Draft December 14, 2023 N/A N/A Director’s Order 1-228916698 – Draft
    MECP Director’s Order 1-228916698 March 6, 2024 N/A N/A Director’s Order 1-228916698

    Licence

    We are publishing this material under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence.

    CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0

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  • CELA Weighs In

    The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) has joined others who have raised concerns about GEPR Energy Canada (GE)’s application to Ontario’s Ministry of the Environmental, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to renew an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) to emit noise and trichloroethylene (TCE) from a Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System running 24/7 107 Park St. North, Peterborough.

    CELA notes:

    “There is significant public concern about the GE Site due to persisting historical contamination, GE’s intention to demolish most of the buildings at the Site, and the adjacent Prince of Wales Public School. CELA is extremely concerned that important information relating to this application to renew the ECA, which will govern air and noise emissions at the site now and after the demolition, was not provided to the public through the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) posting or through the requests of CELA.

    “CELA therefore requests that the MECP extend the time for public comment until 45 days after unredacted documents are provided to the public and posted on the ERO website, along with a draft of the proposed ECA.

    “In any event, CELA is of the view that it is not appropriate for GE to be seeking a renewal of its ECA for air and noise emissions at this time. Instead, GE should apply for a new ECA once the demolition has been completed. The conditions at the Site will be significantly different after the proposed demolition. The MECP should, therefore, assess the conditions at the Site after the demolition has been completed and then determine the appropriate terms and conditions to be included in the ECA.”

    The full text is available on CELA’s website.

  • GE’S Opening Salvo

    GEPR Energy Canada Inc. (formerly General Electric) has applied to renew an approval from Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) for emissions of noise and toxic chemicals from a Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System running 24/7 on the southern boundary of GE’s property at 107 Park St. North, Peterborough.

    Understandably, the community’s concern about a single renewal application from GE pales in comparison with concerns about the massive demolition that GE is planning for the same property. Yet, this renewal application is GE testing the waters – with the municipal and provincial governments and with the citizens of Peterborough. From that perspective, we need to push back on GE’s opening salvo.

    GE’s renewal application skirts all concern about the human health and environmental risks inherent in demolishing 26 contaminated, abandoned buildings, where asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and trichloroethylene (TCE) were used – and where thousands of workers contracted myriad grievous, even terminal illnesses from their exposure to these toxins.

    Instead, GE’s renewal application skips over the risks of demolishing its contaminated buildings and transports us silently to its “Future Operation”. Other posts here have already highlighted technical problems with GE’s estimates of noise and TCE emissions from a Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System in the “Future Operation” – and there’s more to come.

    Here, we want to highlight GE’s bad faith – especially its secretiveness and lack of transparency.

    First, GE supports its renewal application with four heavily redacted documents. The MECP has dismissed a request from the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) to release unredacted versions of these documents, stating that GE refuses to the release of the redacted portions. Neither GE nor the MECP has explained the legal grounds for withholding this information from the public.

    The redacted information includes:

    • Sources of noise and TCE emissions and noise, including source names, equipment type, and location.
    • Number of pieces of equipment.
    • Sound power levels (dB)
    • Total facility emission rates, site-specific emission thresholds, and equipment flow rates.
    • References to the Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System, including its planned relocation.

    GE claims that the noise and trichloroethylene emission from its property will meet regulatory standards; however, the public cannot assess or verify those claims without access to unredacted versions of GE’s supporting documents.

    Second, under the guise of a simple renewal, GE is trying to secure a ten-year approval from the MECP to emit noise and trichloroethylene in a “Future Operation” that survives a massive demolition that GE has so far refused to disclose to public officials and citizens of Peterborough. In similar fashion, GE is trying to disentangle its compliance with provincial laws from BWXT’s operations on the same property – without regard for gaps in environmental safeguards that might result.

    Be sure to share your concerns about GE’s renewal application at https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0523 before July 21, 2026.

    AECOM, Emission Summary and Dispersion Report (January 2026), p. 14.
    AECOM, Emission Summary and Dispersion Report (January 2026), p. 29.
  • GEPR Energy Application to Renew ECA 7836-9HYDRN

    GEPR Energy Canada Inc. has an outstanding application to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) for the renewal of Environmental Compliance Approval (Air & Noise) No. 7836-9HDRYN covering its operations at 107 Park Street N in Peterborough, Ontario. The opportunity for public comment on GEPR’s application closes on July 4, 2026.

    The posting of GEPR’s application on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0523) indicates that some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, one can request to view the materials in person by contacting the MECP’s Client Services and Permissions Branch (CSPB).

    On June 1, 2026, I telephoned and emailed the CSPB to request copies of any supporting materials relating to GEPR’s application, explaining that I lived more than 3 hours traveling by car from Toronto.

    On June 8, 2026, the MECP confirmed receipt of my request.

    On June 19, 2026, the MECP forwarded four supporting documents for GEPR’s application:

    1. GEPR Energy Canada Inc., Acoustic Assessment Report (AAR), March 5, 2025. RPT_2026-03-05-GE Peterborough AAR-60746233-signed (redacted).pdf
    2. GEPR Energy Canada Inc. Emission Summary and Dispersion Modeling (ESDM) Report, January 23, 2026. RPT_2026_01_20_GE Peterborough_ESDM_60746233-Final (redacted).pdf
    3. GEPR Energy Canada Inc., Environmental Compliance Approval Application, February 5, 2026. ECA Application Form – GE Vernova – Peterborough – Signed (redacted).pdf
    4. GEPR Energy Canada Inc., Request for Notice Under s. 7(1) of Local Air Quality Regulation for Use of a Specified Dispersion Model, April 6, 2026. Request s.7(1) Specified Model.GEPET – Signed.pdf

    The first three documents are heavily redacted. None of the redactions is explained – and the redactions seem contrary to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), the Environmental Bill of Rights (ERB), and MECP’s own policies and procedures.

    GEPR’s Environmental Compliance Approval Application, includes:

    “2.8 Other Approvals/Permits for Facility

    “List all other instruments (approvals or permits) issued by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks or applied for under the Environmental Protection Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Ontario Water Resources Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 and any Environmental Activity and Sector Registrations that are relevant to this application.”

    Instrument Type Instrument Number/
    Application Reference Number
    Approval or Application Date Cessation/Expiry Date
    Permit to Take Water, Groundwater 6551-BCWQSV 2019-06-07 2029-06-07
    ECA Stormwater 8032-BEJNAK 2019-09-30
    Director’s Order 1-228916698 2024-03-06
    Director’s Instruction, PCB Storage Site 30513a001 2013-12-23

    “List all other instruments (approvals or permits) issued by an agency, municipality or another ministry that are relevant to this application.”

    Issuing Agency Approval or Permit Name Approval or Permit Number Issued Date
    City of Peterborough Slug Discharge Permit, GETS n/a 2002-05-12

    NOTE: Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System, Appendix B, Director’s Order 1-228916698 includes:

    “The GETS operates under the following permits:

      1. Permit to Take Water (PTTW) No. 6551-BCWQSV, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).
      2. Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) 7896-9HYDRN, MOECC: for treatment of groundwater via air stripping, and
      3. Slug Discharge Permit, City of Peterborough (City): for discharge of treated groundwater to the City’s sanitary sewer.”

    Thus, the Director’s Order implicates no other approvals or permits in the operation of the GETS than those identified above.

  • Slug Discharge Permit – Groundwater Recovery and Treatment System

    TO: Robert D. Fyke, Coordinator Environmental Programs, GE Canada, 107 Park St. North, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B5
    FROM: Patrick Devlin, Chief Environmental Officer, Environmental Protection Divsion, Utility Services Department, City of Peterborough
    RE: SLUG Discharge Permit – Groundwater Recovery and Treatment System
    DATE: May 12, 2004

    Dear Robert,

    In response to your request for a slug discharge permit, dated May 12, 2004. GE Canada (GE) is hereby authorized to discharge groundwater produced by the operation of a groundwater recovery and treatment system (GRTS), into the City of Peterborough’s Sanitary Sewer. The GRTS is part of a remediation program being undertaken by GE in the area of Park Street North and Albert Street, Peterborough, Ontario. The said groundwater discharge will result from the pumping activity from seven wells located along the southern property boundary of GE’ s manufacturing facility located at 107 Park Street North, Peterborough, Ontario. This permit is issued in conjunction with a Certificate of Approval for air emissions, a Permit to Take Water and Director’s authorization from the Ministry of Environment to carry out the above work.

    This permit is conditional on the following:

    1. All groundwater will be discharged to the City of Peterborough’ s Sanitary Sewer System at the designated location of the sanitary sewer discharge that extends from Building 14 (GRTS Monitoring Point) to the City sanitary main on Albert Street, located approximately 230 metres west of Park Street.
    2. Technical details on the operation of the GRTS system: The GRTS includes a chemical sequestering system, air stripper, two liquid phase granular activated carbon (GAC) units, bag filters, and equalization tanks and is capable of treating up to 190 Lpm (42 Igpm). |t is expected, however, due to estimated sustainable pumping rates associated with the extraction wells, that the GRTS will operate at a rate of approximately 113.5 Lpm (25 lgpm).
    3. The groundwater discharged to the Sanitary Sewer at the Monitoring Point must comply with the City of Peterborough’s by-law 1991-10 (By-Law), which governs, in part, all discharges to the Sanitary Sewers except that discharge of the specific parameters set out in Section 7 below shall be’ permitted subject to Section 7 and the not to exceed levels set out in Section 7.
    4. A copy of any Director’s Orders, Permits and/or Certificates of Approval relating to the GRTS from the. Ministry of the Environment must be sent to the City of Peterborough -Environmental Protection Division (COP-EPD) prior to the start of any discharges.
    5. The City of Peterborough reserves the right to enter the premises at any time deemed necessary for monitoring, sampling and inspection purposes.
    6. Sampling and analysis of the contaminants of concern in Section 7 must be conducted upon commencement of pumping at the GRTS MONITORING POINT, as well as quarterly sampling at Raw Influent and Final Discharge points at the Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant. Sampling at the MONITORING POINT will be conducted by GE at its cost in accordance with the schedule below. Sampling at the Wastewater Treatment Plant will be conducted by plant staff. Sampling and analysis for PCB’s will be conducted at the MONITORING POINT annually. All analysis, at all points will be paid for by GE. GE will forward all analytical results to the City of Peterborough upon receipt.
    Period Sampling Frequency
    Weeks 1 through 4 3 Times Weekly
    Weeks 5 through 12 2 Times Weekly
    After Week 12 Monthly
    1. The discharge from the MONITORING POINT shall not exceed the following limits:
    Contaminant of Concern Not to Exceed (µg/L)
    Trichloroethylene 400
    1,1-Dichloroethylene 2
    cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene 4,000
    Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene 2
    Vinyl chloride 2
    1. The groundwater extraction and treatment system will be immediately shut down should any contaminant concentration exceed the respective specified ’Not to Exceed! limit at the MONITORING POINT. The City of Peterborough will be notified within 24 hours following shut down. GE may restart the GRTS provided that GE has carried out any corrective actions required so that the GRTS, when restarted, meets the “Not to Exceed” limits at the MONITORING POINT.
    2. The City of Peterborough reserves the right to revoke this permit at any time deemed necessary immediately upon notice in writing if GE violates any provision set out in this permit or the discharge permitted hereunder will materially compromise the ability for the City of Peterborough to comply with its Certificate of Approval for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
    3. This permit will be valid from the date of commencement of operation of the GRTS until December 31, 2004, and be automatically renewed on January -1, 2005, and annually thereafter, pending the outcome of an annual review. if no changes or amendments are required by February 1°’ of each year the permit will be renewed, at no further cost to GE. Until such time as the review is completed, GE shall be permitted to operate the GRTS under the authority of this permit.

    The associated flat fee for this permit is $1000.00 plus GST. The fee for treated groundwater discharge to sanitary sewer is $0.35 per cubic meter (as per City bylaw #91-11). GE will be invoiced quarterly based on meter readings conducted every quarter at the treatment system discharge point. GE will take the meter readings and forward them to the City of Peterborough.

    Should you have any further questions regarding this matter, please contact Kent Keeling at 741-4910 or 740-3697.

    Sincerely yours,
    CITY OF PETERBOROUGH

    Patrick Devlin HBSc. Chief Environmental Officer, Environmental Protection Division Utility Services Department

    cc: Gerry Rye Director, Utility Services, City of Peterborough; Dave Arnott, Ministry of Environment

  • MECP ECA 8032-BEJNAK – Stormwater Management 2019-09-30

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    General Electric Nova Scotia #1 Company and General Electric Canada Holdings, as general partners for and on behalf of General Electric Canada 107 Park St North, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 3V6

    Site Location: 107 Park Street North City of Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B5

    You have applied under section 20.2 of Part II.1 of the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 19 (Environmental Protection Act) for approval of: an environmental compliance approval for stormwater management at the General Electric Peterborough facility, consisting of a 31.3 ha. catchment area including the Facility located at adjacent 107 Park Street North (20.5ha.) and on 1063 Monaghan Road (10.8ha), for the collection, treatment and disposal of stormwater run-off to provide enhanced (80% SS removal) water quality protection and to attenuate peak flows prior to discharging into the municipal sewer and having roadway to carry overflows to the Little Lake, for all storm events up to and including the 100-year return storm, consisting of the following:

    1. Conveyance

    • Surface drainage from the Zone 4 and Zone 5 ( approximately 8.5ha. and 2.3ha respectively), sites located on the west of Monaghan Road, being intercepted in catchbasins to discharge via a 900mm diameter municipal stormsewers on Monaghan Road and 600mm diameter municipal storm sewer on Frank Street, and to continue to flow via 1900X1200mm storm sewers on Albert Street, and Rink Street to finally discharge downstream of manholes STM MH 135703 and MH 135704 to the Little Lake/Otonabee River.
    • Surface run-off from the ZONE 3 (4.62HA) catchment area including building areas 28, 26, 22, 20, 18, 16A (part), 14, 34 and 30 (part) and roof drainage, are intercepted by a series of catch basins to discharge via stormsewers on Albert Street, and to continue to flow via storm sewers on Rubidge Street, and Rink Street, to finally discharge into downstream manholes STM MH 135703 and MH 135704 and to the Little Lake/Otonabee River;
    • Surface run-off from the (Zone 2 Part 1, 3.4ha) Building areas 14 (Part), 12EXT (part), 12, 10B, 10, 10A, 34A, 8, 6, 6B, 2A, 2D, 2 and 30 (part) and roof drainage are intercepted by a series of catch basins to discharge via a 450mm diameter site stormsewer to finally discharge via oil and grit separator OGS 1 and outfall manhole EX STM MH R41 to discharge into a 760mm diameter municipal sewer on Park Street, and to continue to flow via storm sewers on Rink Street to finally discharge into outfall manholes STM MH 135703 and MH 135704 and to the Little Lake/Otonabee River;
    • Surface run-off from the northern building areas and roof drainage (Zone 2 Part 2, 8.3ha.) are intercepted by a series of catch basins to discharge via a 900mm diameter site storm sewer on Works Avenue to discharge into two (2) oil and grit separators OGSs 2 and 3 and Outfall manhole EX.STM.MHR’1 to discharge into 1066mm diameter municipal storm sewer on Park Street and continue to flow via stormsewers on Townsend Street/ Stewart Street and Rink Street and finally to outfall manholes STM MH 135703 and MH 135704 and to the Little Lake/Otonabee River;

    2. Quantity Control

    • Surface run-off from the rest of the northern perimeter and north-west areas ( Zone 1, 2.42HA. @ 42% IMPV) are intercepted by a linear swale located along the berm parallel to Wolfe Street within the catchment areas of demolished catchbasins having a storage volume of 809 cu.m. over an area of 710 sq.m. to allow infiltration and evaporation to discharge via catchbasin CB R 22 into a 500mm diameter municipal storm sewer on Park street, and to continue to flow via stormsewers downstream finally to outfall manholes STM MH 135703 and MH 135704 and to the Little Lake/Otonabee River;

    3. Quality Control

    • One (1) off-line oil/grit interceptor OGS 1 (JellyFish Filter Imbrium Model -JF10-13-4 or approved equivalent for 5.02 ha @95% IMPV) located to the west of building 2 and west of Park Street North, having a sediment holding capacity of not less than 0.8cu.m. oil holding capacity of not less than 2,000litres and a maximum treatment flow rate of 75.7litres per second, to receive flow from the two (2) diverted manholes STM MH R.DO2 and STM.MHR.DO3 on existing 300mm diameter storm sewer from EX CB R104 and EX CB R106 and existing 450mm diameter stormsewer from EX CB R 99 and to discharge into a return manhole STM.MHR.RO3 on a 450mm diameter storm sewer outfall manhole EX STM MH 41 located at the west of Park Street North to discharge into the 760mm diameter storm sewer on Park Street and eventually to the outfall at Little Lake/Otonabee River;
    • Two (2) off-line oil/grit interceptors OGS 2 and 3 (JellyFish Filter Imbrium Model -JF12-20 -15 or approved equivalent FOR 3.4ha @93.5% IMPV) located to the north of Building 2 and north of a proposed diversion manhole STM.MHR.D01 located west of Park Street North, to receive storm flows each via a 300mm diameter storm sewer and having a sediment holding capacity of not less than 1.0cu.m., oil holding capacity of approximately 2,000 litres, and a maximum treatment flow rate of 113.6litres per second, and to discharge into a proposed outlet manhole STM.MHR.R01 to discharge via a 600mm diameter sewer into a proposed return manhole STM MHR.RO2 on the existing 900mm diameter storm sewer onto the outlet manhole EX STM MH.R1 located at the west of Park Street North;

    all including temporary erosion/sedimentation control measures during construction and all other controls and appurtenances essential for the proper operation of the aforementioned Works, in accordance with the submitted supporting documents listed in Schedule A.

    Definitions

    For the purpose of this environmental compliance approval, the following definitions apply:

    1. “Approval” means this entire document and any schedules attached to it, and the application;
    2. ”Director” means a person appointed by the Minister pursuant to section 5 of the EPA for the purposes of Part Il.1 of the EPA;
    3. “District Manager” means the District Manager of the Toronto -District Office.
    4. ”EPA” means the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.19, as amended;
    5. “Ministry” means the ministry of the government of Ontario responsible for the EPA and OWRA and includes all officials, employees or other persons acting on its behalf;
    6. “Owner” means General Electric Nova Scotia #1 Company and General Electric Canada Holdings, as general partners for and on behalf of General Electric Canada and its successors and assignees;
    7. “OWRA” means the Ontario Water Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. 0.40, as amended;
    8. “Works” means the sewage works described in the Owner’s application, and include all proposed and existing works described in this Approval.

    Terms and Conditions

    You are hereby notified that this environmental compliance approval is issued to you subject to the terms and conditions outlined below:

    1. General Provisions

    1. The Owner shall ensure that any person authorized to carry out work on or operate any aspect of the Works is notified of this Approval and the conditions herein and shall take all reasonable measures to ensure any such person complies with the same.
    2. Except as otherwise provided by these conditions, the Owner shall design, build, install, operate and maintain the Works in accordance with the description given in this Approval, and the application for approval of the Works.
    3. Where there is a conflict between a provision of any document in the schedule referred to in this Approval and the conditions of this Approval, the Conditions in this Approval shall take precedence, and where there is a conflict between the documents in the schedule, the document bearing the most recent date shall prevail.
    4. The Conditions of this Approval are severable. If any Condition of this Approval, or the application of any requirement of this Approval to any circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable, the application of such condition to other circumstances and the remainder of this Approval shall not be affected thereby.
    5. This Approval is for the treatment and discharge of stormwater run-off from the existing development of approximately 20.5hectares located at Park Street North and is also for the discharge of stormwater from approximately 10.8 hectare located at 1063 Monaghan Road. The Approval is based on an average imperviousness of approximately 76% for the entire 31.3ha. site. Any future development changes within the total drainage area that might increase the required storage volumes or increase the flows to or from the storm outfalls or any structural/physical changes to the stormwater management facility including inlets or outlets will require an amendment to this Approval.The issuance of, and compliance with the Conditions of this Approval does not relieve any person of any obligation to comply with any provision of any applicable statute, regulation or other legal requirement, including, but not limited to, the obligation to obtain approval from the local Conservation Authority necessary to construct or operate the sewage Works;

    2. Expiry of Approval

    This Approval will cease to apply to those parts of the Works which have not been constructed within five (5) years of the date of this Approval.

    3. Change of Owner

    1. The Owner shall notify the District Manager and the Director,in writing, of any of the following changes within thirty (30) days of the change occurring:
      1. change of Owner;
      2. change of address of the Owner;
      3. change of partners where the Owner is or at any time becomes a partnership, and a copy of the most recent declaration filed under the Business Names Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.B17 shall be included in the notification to the District Manager; and
      4. change of name of the corporation where the Owner is or at any time becomes a corporation, and a copy of the most current information filed under the Corporations Information Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C39 shall be included in the notification to the District Manager.
    2. In the event of any change in ownership of the Works, other than a change to a successor municipality, the Owner shall notify in writing the succeeding owner of the existence of this Approval,and a copy of such notice shall be forwarded to the District Manager and the Director.
    3. Notwithstanding any other requirements in this Approval, upon transfer of the ownership or assumption of the Works to a municipality if applicable, any reference to the District Manager shall be replaced with the Water Supervisor.

    4. Operation and Maintenance

    • The Owner shall inspect the Works at least once a year and clean and maintain the Works to prevent the excessive build-up of sediments oil/grit, and/or vegetation.
    • The Owner shall clearly label the locations of the OGSs and at least once a year, clean and maintain the OGSs in addition to the regular required maintenance to prevent build-up of oil/grease, sediment and/or vegetation.
    • The Owner shall maintain a logbook to record the results of these inspections and any cleaning and maintenance operations undertaken, and shall keep the logbook at the Corporate Office or in the form of electronic version for inspection by the Ministry. The logbook shall include the following:
      1. the name of the Works; and
      2. the date and results of each inspection, maintenance and cleaning, including an estimate of the quantity of any materials removed.

    5. Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control

    1. The Owner shall install and maintain temporary sediment and erosion control measures during construction and conduct inspections once every two (2) weeks and after each significant storm event (a significant storm event is defined as a minimum of 10 mm of rain in any 24 hours period). The inspections and maintenance of the temporary sediment and erosion control measures shall continue until they are no longer required and at which time they shall be removed and all disturbed areas reinstated properly.
    2. The Owner shall maintain records of inspections and maintenance which shall be made available for inspection by the Ministry, upon request. The record shall include the name of the inspector, date of inspection, and the remedial measures. if any, undertaken to maintain the temporary sediment and erosion control measures.

    6. Effluent Objectives

    1. The Owner shall use best efforts to design, construct and operate the sewage Works with the objective that the concentrations of the materials named below as effluent parameters are not exceeded in the effluent from the sewage Works into the Little Lake/Otonabee River as listed in Schedule B, Table 1.
    2. The Owner shall use best efforts to maintain the pH of the effluent from the sewage Works within the range of 6.5 to 8.5, inclusive, at all times;

    7. Monitoring and Recording

    The Owner shall, upon commencement of operation of the sewage Works, carry out the following monitoring program for the effluent from the sewage Works into the Little Lake/Otonabee River as listed in Schedule B, Table 2:

    1. All samples and measurements taken for the purposes of this Approval are to be taken at a time and in a location characteristic of the quality and quantity of the effluent stream over the time period being monitored.
    2. For the purposes of this condition, the following definitions apply: Bi-monthly means once in every two (2) months;
    3. Samples shall be collected at the sampling points and at the frequency specified, by means of the specified sample type and analysed for each parameter listed and all results recorded:
    4. The methods and protocols for sampling, analysis and recording shall conform, in order of precedence, to the methods and protocols specified in the following:
      1. the Ministry’s Procedure F-10-1, “Procedures for Sampling and Analysis Requirements for Municipal and Private Sewage Treatment Works (Liquid Waste Streams Only), as amended from time to time by more recently published editions;
      2. the Ministry’s publication “Protocol for the Sampling and Analysis of Industrial/Municipal Wastewater” Version 2.0 (January 2016), PIBS 2724e02, as amended from time to time by more recently published editions; and
      3. the publication “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater” (21st edition), as amended from time to time by more recently published editions.
    5. The temperature and pH of the effluent from the sewage Works shall be determined in the field.
    6. The monitoring and measurement frequencies specified in Table 2, in respect to any parameter are minimum requirements which may, after twelve (12) months of monitoring in accordance with this Condition, be modified by the Director / District Manager in writing from time to time.

    8. Spill Contingency Plan

    1. Upon the issuance of this Approval, the Owner shall implement a spill contingency plan -that is a set of procedures describing how to mitigate the impacts of a spill within the area serviced by the stormwater management Works. This plan shall include as a minimum:
      1. the name, job title and location (address) of the Owner, person in charge, management or person(s) in control of the facility;
      2. the name, job title and 24-hour telephone number of the person(s) responsible for activating the spill contingency plan;
      3. a site plan drawn to scale showing the facility, nearby buildings, streets, catchbasins & manholes, drainage patterns (including direction(s) of flow in storm sewers), any receiving body(ies) of water that could potentially be significantly impacted by a spill and any features which need to be taken into account in terms of potential impacts on access and response (including physical obstructions and location of response and clean-up equipment);
      4. steps to be taken to report, contain, clean up and dispose of contaminants following a spill;
      5. a listing of telephone numbers for: local clean-up company(ies) who may be called upon to assist in responding to spills; local emergency responders including health institution(s); and Ministry’s Spills Action Centre 1-800-2686060;
      6. Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each hazardous material which may be transported or stored within the area serviced by the stormwater management Works;
      7. the means (internal corporate procedures) by which the spill contingency plan is activated;
      8. a description of the spill response training provided to employees assigned to work in the area serviced by the stormwater management Works, the date(s) on which the training was provided and by whom;
      9. an inventory of response and clean-up equipment available to implement the spill contingency plan, location and, date of maintenance / replacement if warranted; and
      10. the date on which the contingency plan was prepared and subsequently, amended.
    2. The spill contingency plan shall be kept in a conspicuous, readily accessible location on-site.
    3. The spill contingency plan shall be amended from time to time as required by changes in the operation and usage of the facility.

    9. Reporting

    1. The Owner shall report to the District Manager or designate, any exceedence of any parameter specified in Condition 6 orally, as soon as reasonably possible, and in writing within seven (7) days of the exceedence.
    2. In addition to the obligations under Part X of the Environmental Protection Act, the Owner shall, within ten (10) working days of the occurrence of any reportable spill as defined in Ontario Regulation 675/98, bypass or loss of any product, byproduct, intermediate product, oil, solvent, waste material or any other polluting substance into the environment, submit a full written report of the occurrence to the District Manager describing the cause and discovery of the spill or loss, cleanup and recovery measures taken, preventative measures to be taken and schedule of implementation.
    3. The Owner shall, upon request, make all manuals, plans, records, data, procedures and supporting documentation available to Ministry staff.
    4. The Owner shall prepare, and submit to the District Manager, a performance report, on an annual basis, within ninety (90) days following the end of the period being reported upon. The first such report shall cover the first annual period following the commencement of operation of the sewage Works and subsequent reports shall be submitted to cover successive annual periods following thereafter.
    5. The reports shall contain, but shall not be limited to, the following information:
      1. a description of any operating problems encountered and corrective actions taken;
      2. a summary of all maintenance carried out on any major structure, equipment, apparatus, mechanism or thing forming part of the sewage Works;
      3. a summary of any effluent quality assurance or control measures undertaken in the reporting period;
      4. a description of efforts made and results achieved in meeting the Effluent Objectives of Condition 6;
      5. a tabulation of the volume of Grit and Oil accumulated and cleaned from the Oil / Grit Separators (OGSs) during the reporting period.
      6. a summary of any complaints received during the reporting period and any steps taken to address the complaints;
      7. a summary of all spill or abnormal discharge events; and
      8. any other information the District Manager requires from time to time.

    10. Record Keeping

    The Owner shall retain for a minimum of five (5) years from the date of their creation, all records and information related to or resulting from the operation and maintenance and monitoring activities required by this Approval.

    Reasons for Terms and Conditions

    The reasons for the imposition of these terms and conditions are as follows:

    1. Condition 1 is imposed to ensure that the Works are built and operated in the manner in which they were described for review and upon which approval was granted. This condition is also included to emphasize the precedence of Conditions in the Approval and the practice that the Approval is based on the most current document, if several conflicting documents are submitted for review.
    2. Condition 2 is included to ensure that, when the Works are constructed, the Works will meet the standards that apply at the time of construction to ensure the ongoing protection of the environment..
    3. Condition 3 is included to ensure that the Ministry records are kept accurate and current with respect to approved Works and to ensure that subsequent Owners of the Works are made aware of the Approval and continue to operate the Works in compliance with it.
    4. Condition 4 is included to require that the Works be properly operated and maintained such that the environment is protected.
    5. Condition 5 is included as installation, regular inspection and maintenance of the temporary sediment and erosion control measures is required to mitigate the impact on the downstream receiving watercourse during construction until they are no longer required.
    6. Condition 6 is imposed to establish non-enforceable effluent quality objectives which the Owner is obligated to use best efforts to strive towards on an ongoing basis. These objectives are to be used as a mechanism to trigger corrective action proactively and voluntarily before environmental impairment occurs.
    7. Condition 7 is included to require the Owner to monitor and demonstrate on a continual basis that the quality and quantity of the effluent from the approved works is consistent with the effluent objectives specified in the Approval and that the approved works does not cause any impairment to the receiving watercourse.
    8. Condition 8 is imposed to ensure that the effluent discharged from the Works meets the Ministry’s effluent quality requirements thus minimizing environmental impact on the Receiver Little Lake/Otonabee River.
    9. Condition 9 is included to provide a performance record for future references and to ensure that the Ministry is made aware of problems as they arise, so that the Ministry can work with the Owner in resolving the problems in a timely manner.
    10. Condition 10 is included to require that all records are retained for a sufficient time period to adequately evaluate the long-term operation and maintenance of the Works.

    Schedule A

    List of supporting documents

    1. Application for Approval of Industrial Sewage Works dated June 13, 2019, prepared and submitted by Marc Mitchell, AECOM Consulting Engineers.
    2. Stormwater Management Report and enclosed plans/design drawings, dated June 2019 prepared and submitted by AECOM Consulting Engineers.

    Schedule B

    Table 1 – Effluent Objectives – at Outfall manholes EX.STM.MH.R1 and EX.STM.MH.R41
    Effluent Parameter Yearly Average Concentration
    (milligrams per litre)
    Oil and Grease 25
    TSS 15
    Total PCBs 0.00002
    Total PAHs ** 0.002

     

    Table 2 – Effluent Monitoring – at Outfall manholes EX.STM.MH.R1 and
    EX.STM.MH.R41 and at the Lake Outfall manhole STM.MH 135683.
    Parameters Sample Type Sampling Frequency *
    Oil and Grease Grab Bi-Monthly
    TSS Grab Bi-Monthly
    Total PCBs Grab Bi-Monthly
    Total PAHs ** Grab Bi-Monthly
    Hydrocarbon Sheen Visual records Bi-Monthly
    Temperature and pH Grab Bi-Monthly

    * One sample within two months: at least six (6) samples per year, each taken during/immediately following a substantial rainfall of 10 mm or more over a 24 hour period.

    ** Total PAHs is the calculated total of all the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons listed under Canada Ontario Agreement Tier I and II Substances Lists, i.e., anthracene, benzo(a) pyrene, benzo(a) anthracene, benzo(e) pyrene, benzo(b) fluoranthene, benzo(j) fluoranthene, benzo(k) fluoranthene, benzo(g,h,i) perylene, chrysene, dibenzo(a,h) anthracene, dibenzo(a,i) pyrene, dibenzo(a,j) acridine, 7Hdibenzo(c,g) carbazole, dinitropyrene, fluoranthene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene, perylene, phenanthrene, and pyrene.

    In accordance with Section 139 of the Environmental Protection Act, you may by written Notice served upon me and the Environmental Review Tribunal within 15 days after receipt of this Notice, require a hearing by the Tribunal. Section 142 of the Environmental Protection Act provides that the Notice requiring the hearing shall state:

      1. The portions of the environmental compliance approval or each term or condition in the environmental compliance approval in respect of which the hearing is required, and;
      1. The grounds on which you intend to rely at the hearing in relation to each portion appealed.

    The Notice should also include:

    1. The name of the appellant;
    2. The address of the appellant;
    3. The environmental compliance approval number;
    4. The date of the environmental compliance approval;
    5. The name of the Director, and;
    6. The municipality or municipalities within which the project is to be engaged in.

    And the Notice should be signed and dated by the appellant.

    This Notice must be served upon:

    The Secretary, Environmental Review Tribunal, 655 Bay Street, Suite 1500, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1E5; AND

    The Director appointed for the purposes of Part II.1 of the Environmental Protection Act Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, 135 St. Clair Avenue West, 1st Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1P5

    Further information on the Environmental Review Tribunal’s requirements for an appeal can be obtained directly from the Tribunal at: Tel: (416) 212-6349, Fax: (416) 326-5370 or www.ert.gov.on.ca

    The above noted activity is approved under s.20.3 of Part II.1 of the Environmental Protection Act.

    DATED AT TORONTO this 30th day of September, 2019

    Fariha Pannu, P. Eng., Director appointed for the purposes of Part II.1 of the Environmental Protection Act

    c: District Manager, MECP Peterborough; Marc Mitchell, AECOM

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  • MECP Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DO001FA

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    Source: AECOM_2024_PCB-Monitoring-Report-for-Storm-and-Groundwater_20250228, pp. 78-138.

    Director’s Order

    Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E 19 (EPA)
    Ontario Water Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O. 40 (OWRA)
    Pesticides Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P11 (PA)
    Safe Drinking Water Act, $.O. 2002, c.32 (SDWA)
    Nutrient Management Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c.4 (NMA)

    Order Number: GE-PTBO-DO001FA

    To: General Electric Canada Company, Suite 900, 1959 Upper Water St, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 3N2, Canada
    Attn: Heather Chalmers, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO
    And
    General Electric Canada Property Inc., 2300 Meadowvale Blvd, Mississauga, Ontario LSN 5P9
    Attn: Manjit Sharma, Director

    Site: 107 Park Street, Peterborough, ON
    And
    1063 Monaghan Road, Peterborough, ON
    And
    297 Rink Street, Peterborough, ON
    And
    107 Rubidge Street, Peterborough, ON

    1.1 Legislative Authority

    • 1.1.1 Pursuant to subsection | (1) of the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19, as amended (“EPA”), “contaminant” means any solid, liquid, gas, odour, heat, sound, vibration, radiation or combination of any of them resulting directly or indirectly from human activities that causes or may cause an adverse effect.
    • 1.1.2 Pursuant to subsection | (1) of the EPA the meaning of “discharge”, when used as a verb, includes add, deposit, leak or emit and, when used as a noun, includes addition, deposit, emission or leak.
    • 1.1.3 Pursuant to subsection 1(1) of the EPA “adverse effect” means one or more of,
      1. impairment of the quality of the natural environment for any use that can be made of it,
      2. injury or damage to property or to plant or animal life,
      3. harm or material discomfort to any person,
      4. an adverse effect on the health of any person,
      5. impairment of the safety of any person,
      6. rendering any property or plant or animal life unfit for human use,
      7. loss of enjoyment of normal use of property, and
      8. interference with the normal conduct of business.
    • 1.1.4 Pursuant to subsection 1(1) of the EPA “natural environment” means the air, land and water, or any combination or part thereof, of the Province of Ontario.
    • Subsection 18(1) of the EPA reads as follows:

    The Director, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2), by a written order may require a person who owns or owned or who has or had management or control of an undertaking or property to do any one of more of the following:

      1. To have available at all times, or during such periods of time as are specified in the order, the equipment, material and personnel specified in the order at the locations specified in the order.
      2. To obtain, construct and install or modify the devices, equipment and facilities specified in the order at the locations and in the manner specified in the order.
      3. To implement procedures specified in the order.
      4. To take all steps necessary so that procedures specified in the order will be implemented in the event that a contaminant is discharged into the natural environment from the undertaking or property.
      5. To monitor and record the presence or discharge of a contaminant specified in the order and to report thereon to the Director.
      6. To study and to report to the Director on,
        1. the presence or discharge of a contaminant specified in the order,
        2. the effects of the presence or discharge of a contaminant specified in the order,
        3. measures to control the presence or discharge of a contaminant into the natural environment,
        4. the natural environment into which a contaminant specified in the order may be discharged.
      7. To develop and implement plans to,
        1. reduce the amount of a contaminant that is discharged into the natural environment,
        2. prevent or reduce the risk of a spill of a pollutant within the meaning of Part X, or
        3. prevent, decrease or eliminate any adverse effects that result or may result from a spill of a pollutant within the meaning of Part X or from any other discharge of a contaminant into the natural environment, including,
          1. plans to notify the Ministry, other public authorities and members of the public who may be affected by a discharge, and
          2. plans to ensure that appropriate equipment, material and personnel are available to respond to a discharge.
      8. To amend a plan developed under paragraph 7 or section 91.1 in the manner specified in the order. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19, s. 18 (1); 2005, ¢. 12, 5. 1 (8, 9).
    • 1.1.6 Subsection 18(2) of the EPA provides that the Director may make an order under section 18(1) if the Director is of the opinion, on reasonable and probable grounds, that the requirements specified in the order are necessary or advisable so as,
      1. To prevent or reduce the risk of a discharge of a contaminant into the natural environment from the undertaking or property; or
      1. To prevent, decrease or eliminate an adverse effect that may result from, (i) the discharge of a contaminant from the undertaking, or
      1. the presence or discharge of a contaminant in, on or under the property.
    • 1.1.7 Section 131 of the EPA defines “works” for the purposes of Part XII of the EPA as an activity, facility, thing, undertaking or site in respect of which an approval or order is issued or a registration under Part II.2 is in effect.
    • Subsection 132(1) of the EPA reads as follows:

    The Director may include in an approval or order in respect of a works a requirement that the person to whom the approval is issued or the order is directed provide financial assurance to the Crown in right of Ontario for any one or more of,

      1. the performance of any action specified in the approval or order;
      1. the provision of temporary or permanent alternate water supplies to replace those that the Director has reasonable and probable grounds to believe are or are likely to be contaminated or otherwise interfered with by the works to which the approval or order is related; and
      1. measures appropriate to prevent adverse effects upon and following the cessation or closing of the works.
    • 1.1.9 Subsection 196(1) of the EPA reads as follows:

    The authority to make an order under this Act includes the authority to require the person or body to whom the order is directed to take such intermediate action or such procedural steps or both as are related to the action required or prohibited by the order and as are specified in the order.

    • 1.1.10 Subsection 197(1) of the EPA provides that a person who has authority under this Act to make an order or decision affecting real property also has authority to make an order requiring any person with an interest in the property, before dealing with the property in any way, to give a copy of the order or decision affecting the property to every person who will acquire an interest in the property as a result of the dealing.
    • 1.1.11 Subsection 197(2) of the EPA provides that a certificate setting out a requirement imposed under subsection (1) may be registered in the proper land registry office on the title of the real property to which the requirement relates, if the certificate is ina form approved by the Minister, is signed or authorized by a person who has authority to make orders imposing requirements under subsection (1) and is accompanied by a registerable description of the property.

    1.2 Details of the Orderees and the Site

    • 1.2.1 The current registered owner of the four (4) properties located at:
      • 107 Park Street,
      • 1063 Monaghan Road,
      • 297 Rink Street, and
      • 107 Rubidge Street

    in the City of Peterborough (the City), Ontario (herein referred to as Site 1, Site 2, Site 3 and Site 4 , respectively, or collectively as “the Site”) is General Electric Canada Property Inc. It has been the registered owner of the Site since 2004.

    • 1.2.2 Canadian General Electric Corporation Limited (Ontario Corporation Number 000001701), General Electric Canada Inc. (Ontario Corporation Numbers 000576365 and 000875925) are all predecessor corporations of General Electric Canada Company (Ontario Corporation Number 001796028), the previous owner of the Site.
    • 1.2.3 A portion of what is now Site | (107 Park Street) was purchased by Canadian General Electric Canada Limited (CGECL) in 1893. Subsequent portions of Site | were purchased by CGECL between 1905 and 1941. In 2004, CGECL changed its name to General Electric Canada Inc. In 2004, Site 1 was transferred to General Electric Canada Property Inc. (GECPI). GECPI is the current registered owner of Site 1. The Property Identification Number (PIN; used by land registry offices in Ontario to uniquely identify a property) for Site 1 is 28081-0123.
    • 1.2.4 A portion of what is now Site 2 (1063 Monaghan Road) was purchased by CGECL in 1947. Other portions of what is now Site 2 were purchased by CGECL in 1952 and 1956. In 2004 there was a name change from CGECL to General Electric Canada Inc. In 2004, General Electric Canada Inc. transferred Site 2 to GECPI. GECPI is the current registered owner of Site 2. The PIN for Site 2 is 28067-0046.
    • 1.2.5 Portions of what is now Site 3 (297 Rink Street) were purchased by CGECL in 1910 and 1911. In 2004 there was a name change from CGECL to General Electric Canada Inc. In 2004 General Electric Canada Inc. transferred Site 3 to GECPI. GECPI is the current registered owner of Site 3. The PIN for Site 3 is 28091-0139.
    • 1.2.6 Portions of what is now Site 4 (107 Rubidge Street) were purchased by CGECL in 1928, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1980. In 2004 there was a name change from CGECL to General Electric Canada Inc. In 2004 General Electric Canada Inc. transferred Site 4 to GECPI. GECPI is the current registered owner of Site 4. The PIN for Site 4 is 28091-0137.
    • 1.2.7 General Electric Canada Company (GECC) is the successor corporation to various former corporate entities which previously owned and had management and control of the four (4) properties (Site 1, 2, 3 and 4) for decades. More specifically, GECC and its predecessor corporations owned and had management and control of Site | since in or around 1893, since in or around 1947 in the case of Site 2, since in or around 1910/11 in the case of Site 3 and since in or around 1928 for at least a portion of Site 4 and since 1980 in terms of Site 4 in its entirety.
    • 1.2.8 In or around 1891, a large manufacturing plant was constructed at Site 1 consisting of three buildings with a total manufacturing area of 74,000 square feet. Industrial manufacturing of dynamos, motors for stationary power and electrical railway purposes, mining locomotives, underground conductors, electrical instruments, appliances, electric cables and insulated wire took place in the early years of manufacturing at the Site. Over the years, manufacturing continued and changed. During the First World War, manufacturing shifted to the production of artillery, shells and guns. In or around 1946, separate buildings were developed for the fractional motors and porcelain departments. Industrial manufacturing in the form of large electrical motors and other components continues to this day at Site 1.
    • 1.2.9 Site 2 consists largely of undeveloped land, however, there are several parking lot areas on the eastern portion of the property, along Monaghan Road, that are used by employees of GECC and a formerly associated business. Some activities related to the industrial manufacturing businesses at Site | may have occurred on Site 2 over time, based on the presence of contaminants there, including PCBs. Site 2 has one building that is located near its southeastern corner (at the corner of Frank Street and Monaghan Road) and one building located in the northwestern corner along High Street (Reference: Storm Sewer Monitoring Program, 2012 Annual Report, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, April 2013).
    • 1.2.10 Site 3 (297 Rink Street) and Site 4 (107 Rubidge Street) are small vacant properties located immediately east of Site | that are currently used as parking areas. A railway line passes along the southeastern side of Site 3 where a former rail spur, that served the GECC plant facility on Site 1, splits off and passes through the northern part of Site 4, along its route to the plant facility. Groundwater monitoring wells are located on Sites 3 and 4 that are sampled as part of GECC’s Site monitoring program in relation to the TCE contamination issue.
    • 1.2.11 Each of Sites 1, 2, 3 and 4 are located within the City of Peterborough where there are various land uses in the surrounding areas, including predominantly residential, as well as some commercial and industrial uses, and a school (Prince of Wales Public School).
    • 1.2.12 Through various industrial and related activities that occurred over time at the Site, contamination of soil and groundwater resulted, including PCBs (‘polychlorinated biphenyl’ compounds) and TCE (trichloroethylene). PCBs and TCE (along with associated degradation compounds, such as dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride) are the primary Contaminants of Concern.
    • 1.2.13 PCBs were once widely deployed in the industrial sector within dielectric and coolant fluids in electrical apparatus and in heat transfer fluids.
    • 1.2.14 TCE has typically been used in the industrial sector as a solvent for degreasing metal materials and parts during the manufacture of products.
    • 1.2.15 Each of Sites 1, 2, 3 and 4 are the subject of ongoing environmental monitoring/sampling, assessment and remedial/mitigative activities undertaken by GECC to manage these contamination issues and to mitigate contaminant discharges and potential adverse effects. These environmental monitoring/sampling, assessment and remedial/mitigative activities have been ongoing since about the 1990’s.
    • 1.2.16 The four sites are serviced with storm water sewers (Site 1 extensively, and Sites 2, 3 and 4 to a limited extent on-site, but with surface water runoff directed to surrounding municipal storm water sewer lines) that connect to the municipal storm water sewer system in the surrounding areas which is owned by the City. The municipal storm water sewer system in the immediate vicinity of the Site drains eastwardly along Rink Street into Little Lake which is situated on the Otonabee River within the City.
    • 1.2.17 Little Lake and the Otonabee River system are the subject of ongoing monitoring and assessments in regards to accumulated sediment that contains PCBs (and other contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals) and associated environmental impacts by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and by Parks Canada Agency, an agency of the federal Crown which owns the water lot section of the Otonabee River and Little Lake that is part of the Trent-Severn Waterway.

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    Part 2: Definitions

    For the purposes of this Order, the following terms shall have the meanings described below:

    “Adverse Effect” has the same meaning as in subsection 1(1) of the EPA; namely one or more of,

      1. impairment of the quality of the natural environment for any use that can be made of it;
      1. injury or damage to property or to plant or animal life;
      1. harm or material discomfort to any person;
      2. an adverse effect on the health of any person;
      3. impairment of the safety of any person;
      4. rendering any property or plant or animal life unfit for human use;
      5. loss of enjoyment of normal use of property; and,
      6. interference with the normal conduct of business.

    “BMP” means Best Management Practices.

    “CGECL” means Canadian General Electric Canada Limited (Ontario Corporation Number 000001701), a predecessor corporation of General Electric Canada Company (Ontario Corporation Number 001796028), a previous owner of the Site.

    “Contaminants of Concern” includes but is not necessarily limited to the following:

    1. polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
    2. trichloroethylene (TCE)
    3. dichloroethylene (DCE)
    4. vinyl chloride (VC).

    “Director” means the undersigned or any other person appointed for purposes of s. 18, 132, 196 and 197 of the EPA.

    “EBR” means the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993, 8.0. 1993, c. 28.

    “EPA” means the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19.

    “Financial Assurance” or “FA” means one or more of,

    1. cash, in the amount specified in the approval, order or certificate of property use,
    2. a letter of credit from a bank, in the amount and terms specified in the approval, order or certificate of property use,
    3. negotiable securities issued or guaranteed by the Government of Ontario or the Government of Canada in the amount specified in the approval, order or certificate of property use,
    4. a personal bond accompanied by collateral security, each in the form, terms and amount specified in the approval, order or certificate of property use,
    5. the bond of an insurer licensed under the Insurance Act to write surety and fidelity insurance in the form, terms and amount specified in the approval, order or certificate of property use,
    6. a bond of a guarantor, other than an insurer referred to in clause (e), accompanied by collateral security, each in the form, terms and amount specified in the approval, order or certificate of property use,
    7. an agreement, in the form and terms specified in the approval, order or certificate of property use, and
    8. an agreement, in the form and terms prescribed by the regulations.

    “GECC” means General Electric Canada Company, the successor company to Canadian General Electric Corporation Limited (Ontario Corporation Number 000001701) and , General Electric Canada Inc. (Ontario Corporation Numbers 000576365 and 000875925).

    “GECPI” means General Electric Canada Property Inc., the current owner of the Site.

    “Ministry” or “ministry” or “MECP” means the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

    “MNA” means monitored natural attenuation.

    “Orderees” means General Electric Canada Company (GECC) and General Electric Canada Property Inc. (GECPI).

    “PCBs” means polychlorinated biphenyls.

    “PWQO” means Ontario’s Provincial Water Quality Objectives.

    “Qualified Consultant” means a person who has obtained the appropriate education and training and has demonstrated experience and expertise in the areas relating to the work required to be carried out by this Order. For the purposes of this Order, the person shall also meet the qualifications set out in Section 5 of O. Reg. 153/04, made under the EPA.

    “Site” means the four (4) properties located within the city of Peterborough, Ontario consisting of Site 1, Site 2, Site 3 and Site 4, as defined below.

    “Site 1” means the property located at 107 Park Street, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28081-0123.

    “Site 2” means the property located at 1063 Monaghan Road, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28067-0046.

    “Site 3” means the property located at 297 Rink Street, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28091-0139.

    “Site 4” means the property located at 107 Rubidge Street, Peterborough, ON with the following Property Identifier Number 28091-0137.

    “TCE” means trichloroethylene.

    “VOCs” means volatile organic compounds.

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    Part 3: Summary of Events Leading to the Issuance of the Order

    3.1. Environmental Concerns associated with the Site Contamination

    The two primary contaminants of concern for the purposes of this Order are PCBs and TCE, as described in the following sections.

    3.1.1 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

    The main concern regarding potential off-Site environmental impacts associated with the PCB contamination at the Site is for PCB molecules to be transported off-site via water discharges into the municipal storm water sewer system which flows eastward along Rink Street and discharges into Little Lake.

    Little Lake and the Otonabee River also subject to recreational water activities, and exposure to PCB contaminated waters and sediment may represent a human health risk. PCBs also transfer up the ecological food chain to other aquatic, terrestrial and avian species within which the contaminants may bioaccumulate and result in ecological impacts. As such, further inputs of PCBs to Little Lake and the Otonabee River system should be mitigated.

    Various studies have shown that deposits of PCB contaminated sediments are present in Little Lake and further downstream along the Otonabee River and in Rice Lake, which the Otonabee flows into, located approximately 20 kilometres south of Peterborough. Studies have shown that PCBs are present within the tissues of sport fish collected from the Otonabee River and Rice Lake at concentrations that have caused fish consumption advisories to be issued and which should be followed for the protection of human health; refer to the MECP’s online guide entitled Guide to Eating Ontario Fish (2017-18). The Hiawatha First Nation community is located on the north shore of Rice Lake and community members, as well as other sport fishers, consume fish from the lake.

    Since the city and surrounding vicinity of the Site is serviced with municipal water supply obtained from the Otonabee River some distance upstream of the Site and Little Lake, potential human health impacts associated with PCB groundwater contamination at the Site are unlikely.

    GECC undertakes an annual PCB monitoring and mitigation program for surface water and sediments in storm water sewers, and for groundwater, as part of its management of the PCB contamination issues at the Site. The PCB monitoring program and findings are described in more detail in sections below.

    3.1.2 Trichloroethylene (TCE)

    TCE is a chlorinated volatile organic compound. As a subsurface soil and groundwater contaminant (as is the case for the Site), the chemical may volatilize (become gaseous) into the subsurface soil vapour zone with the potential to infiltrate into the airspaces of buildings, including houses. TCE can then cause human health impacts to residents who may inhale the vapours, given sufficient concentration and time exposure. TCE may also degrade within the subsurface environment to form other volatile organic compounds, such as dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride, which have similar properties and environmental concerns.

    Since the city and local area is serviced with municipal water supply, consumption of impacted groundwater is not likely to occur, and since the contamination is within the subsurface environment, it should not represent a public health risk via direct contact with, or ingestion of, impacted soil or groundwater; however, the volatilization of these VOCs in the soil may pose a risk to indoor air of buildings located in the area of the off-site TCE plume.

    3.2. History and Background

    3.2.1 PCB Monitoring Program History

    The document submitted by GECC and entitled Storm Sewer Monitoring Program, 2012 Annual Report (Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, April 2013) provides the following background description regarding the operational history and PCB occurrence for Site | and Site 2 (the two main properties subject to this Order):

    “The Site was originally developed for manufacturing operations in the late 1880s. Historical and/or current operations conducted at the Site include capacitor manufacturing, large motor manufacturing, small AC motor manufacturing, and AC traction motor manufacturing. PCBs were historically used in the manufacturing of capacitors. Wastes oils, some containing PCBs, were also used as a dust suppressant at the Site and Monaghan Road Parking Lot. Monitoring of the PCB impacts on storm water, sediment, and groundwater has been conducted since 1992…” Note: the reference to ‘Site’ in the above excerpt is regarding Site 1, and the reference to the Monaghan Road Parking Lot is regarding part of Site 2.

    These historical activities at Site 1 and Site 2 resulted in PCB contamination of soils and other surfaces. Significant PCB soil contamination was identified in the southern parking lot area of Site 2, which has been managed ‘in-place’ by GECC since the mid-1990s through Director’s Instructions issued by the ministry on June 21, 1995 (which revised previous Director’s Instructions, dated November 2, 1993).

    The Director’s Instructions provided for the establishment and operation of an interim PCB Waste Management site by ensuring a protective cap layer is maintained over the impacted soils, along with a requirement to implement a groundwater and surface water monitoring program.

    In 2011, an expanded annual PCB Site monitoring program (in addition to that required by the Director’s Instructions, noted above) was implemented which, included the collection of water and sediment samples (in the spring, summer and fall seasons) from storm sewers outfalls from Site 1. The outline of the program, including the Site evaluation criteria for surface water and sediment discharges, was set out in a document from the ministry, entitled ‘Storm Sewer Monitoring Program for PCBs, General Electric Canada -Peterborough, February 2, 2011’.

    A work plan was submitted to the ministry in May 2012, which consolidated the PCB monitoring and reporting activities for the Site. Since 2012, GECC has undertaken an annual maintenance and monitoring program, including the clean-out of PCB-impacted sediments from their storm sewers in response to instances of elevated PCB sampling results, as well as, various activities to investigate and mitigate sources of PCBs, including soil sampling and the implementation of Best Management Practices (e.g., the cleaning of exterior surfaces such as paved areas). These annual activities are detailed in an annual report submitted to the ministry.

    3.2.2. TCE Monitoring Program and Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System

    Environmental investigations of the Site by GECC began in 1981, with the installation of groundwater wells and implementation of a monitoring and sampling program. Subsequent investigations resulted in the characterization of the subsurface hydrology and delineation of an area impacted by VOCs, where TCE and its degradation products were the primary concern.

    In 2001, a Remedial Action Plan was approved by the ministry, which included:

      1. the implementation of a groundwater extraction and treatment system to hydraulically contain and mitigate the off-site migration of the VOC plume;
      1. the investigation and assessment of the TCE source, including removal of free product; and
      1. the completion of a Site-Specific Risk Assessment and the ongoing assessment of Monitored Natural Attenuation of off-site TCE groundwater impacts.

    The Site-Specific Risk Assessment was accepted by the ministry in September 2002, which provided site-specific groundwater criteria for existing on-site and off-site VOC impacts.

    The Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System (GETS) was activated in October 2004. Since then, annual summary reports detailing the geologic and hydrogeologic conditions, and the performance of the GETS and monitoring activities, are completed and submitted to the ministry by GECC.

    In addition to groundwater monitoring and sampling, GECC has undertaken soil vapour sampling in the area of the off-site TCE plume since 2000, and submits annual Soil Vapour Monitoring reports to the ministry.

    3.3 Current Status of Site Operations and Monitoring Requirements

    In late August 2017, GECC announced that it would be ceasing its industrial manufacturing activities at its Peterborough plant site (the Site) in the fall of 2018.

    The ongoing monitoring and remediation programs for the Contaminants of Concern have been undertaken on a voluntary basis by GECC. Financial assurance has not been previously required by the MECP for any of the ongoing environmental programs or activities that are the subject of this Order.

    3.3.1 In regards to the PCB storm water sewer monitoring and sampling (water and sediment) program, MECP Eastern Region Technical Support Section surface water specialist, Mr. Dana Cruikshank, reviewed the annual monitoring report submitted by GECC on the 2016 year’s results and prepared a technical memorandum (8 pages, dated July 6, 2017; attached as Appendix A and forming part of this Order). The memorandum indicates that there was some improvement (i.e., reductions) in PCB concentrations during the 2016 monitoring period and includes recommendations (for 2017) that the monitoring/sampling program should continue to further evaluate PCB concentrations, and that GECC should continue to implement BMPs to remove and control sources, pathways and discharges of PCB contamination. The additional locations (and change to the criteria for a storm event) that were effected following the spill in March 2018, as noted above, are also to be incorporated.

    3.3.2 Similarly, in the ministry’s technical review memorandum from Mr. T Guo, Hydrogeologist, MECP Eastern Region Technical Support Section (4 pages, dated January 5, 2018; attached as Appendix B and forming part of this Order) regarding the groundwater component of the 2016 PCB Annual Monitoring Report, it was recommended that the groundwater quality monitoring program should continue to focus on the area of northern portion of the former Building 4 where the former PCB waste storage facility was located, i.e., monitoring wells MW25, MW26 and MW28. GECC also undertakes monitoring of twelve groundwater monitoring wells located on Site 2 for the purposes of the ongoing risk assessment work for part of that property, and for due diligence purposes, however, this component is considered to be outside of the monitoring and remedial program components that are the subject of this Order.

    3.3.3 Considering the long-term and wide-spread nature of the PCB contamination at the Site, and the ongoing instances of elevated PCB contaminant concentrations in storm water discharges from the Site, it is expected that the PCB monitoring program will continue to be required of GECC for many years to monitor the effectiveness of its actions to control, prevent and mitigate PCB discharges from the Site to the natural environment (i.e., the Otonabee river system) via the storm water sewer system.

    3.3.4 The ministry’s review memorandum (5 pages, dated June 13, 2017; attached as Appendix C and forming part of this Order) by Mr. Ross Kircher, Air Quality Analyst, MECP Eastern Region Technical Support Section regarding the 2016 Soil Vapour Monitoring Report, generally concurred with the report’s findings, which recommended the continued monitoring; however, the ministry indicated that consideration be given to sub-slab and indoor air monitoring in the area around GP7-12.

    3.3.5 The ministry’s latest review memorandum by Mr. Frank Crossley, Hydrogeologist, MECP Eastern Region Technical Support Section, (6 pages, dated April 23, 2015; attached as Appendix D and forming part of this Order), regarding the Groundwater Extraction and Treatment annual reporting concurred with the report’s findings and recommendations. As there has not been a significant change in the groundwater concentrations, it is reasonable to assume concurrence with the findings and recommendations of the most recent 2017 annual monitoring report which include:

      1. the continued monitoring of:
        1. TCE and degradation products; and
        2. Groundwater elevations as per the 2014 report with the removal of three (3) wells, which have since been decommissioned.
      2. continued monitoring for the presence of DNAPL in well MW58 and removal of free-phase liquid if required;
      3. continued operation of the GETS and optimization to facilitate maintenance and reduce potential downtimes.

    3.3.6 The specifications of the PCB and TCE monitoring and remedial programs described above are summarized in the Monitoring Program Summary (20181207) -[7 pages, dated December 7, 2018; attached as Appendix E and forming part of this Order].

    3.4 Director’s Basis for this Order

    3.4.1 Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the Orderees were previously or are currently the owners or persons in management or control of the Site and/or of activities undertaken or currently being undertaken on the Site that is contaminated with Contaminants of Concern.

    3.4.2 Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that it is reasonable to believe that the Site is currently contaminated, and has been contaminated for some time.

    3.4.3 The Site is a source of Contaminants of Concern which have migrated off the Site and onto adjacent properties.

    3.4.4 If the TCE groundwater remediation and containment program and other monitoring and mitigation programs described in Appendix E and as they may be amended or revised from time to time do not continue, groundwater and/or surface water contaminated with the Contaminants of Concern may continue to migrate off the Site and onto adjacent properties where adverse effects may occur or have already occurred.

    3.4.5 I reasonably believe that the requirements of this Order are necessary and advisable to prevent or reduce the risk of a discharge of groundwater and/or surface water impacted with the Contaminants of Concern into the natural environment from the Site and to prevent, decrease or eliminate any adverse effects that may result from such a discharge or from the presence or discharge of the Contaminants of Concern in, on or under the Site related to soil vapour, groundwater and surface water impacts.

    3.4.6 I am of the opinion that it is reasonable and appropriate, and consistent with my authority under section 132 of the EPA and the Ministry’s Financial Assurance Guideline F-15, specifically sections 4.4 and 4.4.5 of that Guideline, that Financial Assurance be provided by the Orderees so that funds are available for the MECP, in the event that the Orderees are unable or become unable or unwilling to provide ongoing care, monitoring and control of contamination issues related to the Site.

    3.4.7 Pursuant to the authority vested in me by sections 18, 132, 196(1) and 197 of the EPA, I hereby order the identified parties to do the work required in the Items under the heading “Part 4 -Work Ordered”, below.

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    Part 4: Work Ordered

    Item No. 1

    Pursuant to my authority in Sections 18 and 196(1) of the EPA, I order the Orderees, jointly and severally, to do the following:

    Within fifteen (15) days of service of this Order, submit written confirmation to the Director that a Qualified Consultant has been retained to conduct the work required by this Order. The written confirmation shall include but not necessarily be limited to the name of the individual or company, proof of retention and a description of the Qualified Consultant (s)’s qualifications and experience.

    Item No. 2

    Pursuant to my authority in Sections 18 and 196(1) of the EPA, I order the Orderees, jointly and severally, to do the following:

    Within thirty (30) days of service of this Order, provide written confirmation to the Director that the Qualified Consultant (QC) retained as a result of Item No. | has commenced the activities and tasks associated with Contaminants of Concern at the Site as detailed in Appendix E, and will continue to undertake the tasks identified in Appendix E, as those tasks may be amended and agreed to from time to time by the Director and the Orderees, until the Director revokes or amends this Order.

    Item No. 3

    Pursuant to my authority in Sections 18, 132 and 196(1) of the EPA, | order the Orderees, jointly and severally, to do the following:

    Within 60 days of service of this Order, submit to the Director, for acceptance, a Financial Assurance evaluation in accordance with the Ministry’s Financial Assurance Guideline F-15, which shall provide in detail, a schedule of dates and payment amounts, if applicable, that shall be provided to the ministry as Financial Assurance to provide sufficient funds to implement and complete the ongoing work required by Item No. 2 of this Order and detailed in Appendix E. The Financial Assurance evaluation shall include written analyses, detailed and itemized calculations, and, if necessary, accounting documents to provide a justification of the proposed amounts and payment schedule, if applicable.

    Item No. 4

    Pursuant to my authority in Sections 18, 132 and 196(1) of the EPA, I order the Orderees, jointly and severally, to do the following:

    Within twenty one (21) days of receipt of the Director’s acceptance of the Financial Assurance evaluation submitted pursuant to Item No. 3 of this Order, submit to the Director payment of the accepted amount of Financial Assurance in a form that meets the requirements as set out in Section 131 of the EPA (Initial Financial Assurance).

    Item No. 5

    Pursuant to my authority in Sections 18, 132 and 196(1) of the EPA, I order the Orderees, jointly and severally, to do the following:

    Commencing on June 1, 2023 and every four (4) years thereafter until the Initial Financial Assurance submitted as a result of Item No. 4 has been returned, submit to the Director a reevaluation of the amount of Initial Financial Assurance (Re-evaluated Financial Assurance). The re-evaluation shall be done in accordance with the Ministry’s Financial Assurance Guideline F15, and shall include written analyses, detailed and itemized calculations, and, if necessary, accounting documents to provide a justification of the proposed amounts and payment schedule, if applicable.

    Item No. 6

    Pursuant to my authority in Sections 18, 132 and 196(1) of the EPA, I order the Orderees, jointly and severally, to do the following:

    Within twenty one (21) days of receipt of the Director’s acceptance of the Re-evaluated Financial Assurance evaluation submitted pursuant to Item No. 5 of this Order, submit to the Director payment of the accepted amount of Re-evaluated Financial Assurance in a form that meets the requirements as set out in Section 131 of the EPA.

    Item No. 7

    Pursuant to my authority in Section 196(1) and 197 of the EPA, I order General Electric Canada Property Inc. to do the following:

    Within thirty (30) days of service of this Order, and pursuant to subsection 197(2) of the Environmental Protection Act, register the Certificates of Requirement as set out in Appendices F to I on title to each of Sites 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, in the appropriate land registry office

    Item No. 8

    Pursuant to my authority in Section 196(1) and 197 of the EPA, I order General Electric Canada Property Inc. to do the following:

    Within five (5) days of registration of each of the Certificates of Requirement set out in Appendices F to I, provide written verification to the Director that the Certificates of Requirement have been registered on title to each of Sites 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

    Item No. 9

    Pursuant to my authority in subsection 197(1) of the EPA, I require that before dealing with the Site in any way, General Electric Canada Property Inc. give a copy of this Order to every person who will acquire an interest in the Site as a result of the dealing.

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    Part 5: General Requirements

    5.1. The requirements of this Order are minimum requirements only and do not relieve the Orderees from:

    • complying with any other applicable order, statute or regulation; and
    • obtaining any approvals or consents not specified in this Order.

    5.2. If you are unable to comply with any of the requirements of this Order, you may make written submission to the Director. Upon consideration of these submissions the Director may amend this Order.
    5.3. Notwithstanding the issuance of this Order, further or other orders may be issued in accordance with the EPA or other legislation administered by the ministry as circumstances require. In particular, the Director shall issue an order where the acceptance or approval of the Director is required in respect of a matter under this Order and,

    • the Director does not grant acceptance or approval; or,
    • the Director grants acceptance or approval, but with changes that have not been agreed to by the person(s) required to obtain the acceptance or approval.

    5.4. Where this Order directs that the acceptance or approval of the Director shall be obtained, the Director shall not unreasonably withhold such acceptance or approval.
    5.5. The requirements set out in this Order are severable. If any requirement of this Order is held to be invalid with regard to a particular circumstance, it will not affect the application of that requirement to other circumstances and will not affect the remainder of this Order.
    5.6. Subsection 19(1) of the EPA provides that an Order or approval of a Court, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, or the Director is binding upon the successor or assignee of the person to whom it is directed.
    5.7. Subsection 186(2) of the EPA provides that non-compliance with the requirements of this Order constitutes an offence.
    5.8. Unless stayed by application under Section 143 of the EPA, this Order is effective upon it being served upon you and its terms and conditions shall be in force until such time as they are amended or revoked by the Director.

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    Part 6: Hearing Before the Environmental Review Tribunal

    6.1. Pursuant to Section 140 of the EPA, you may require a hearing before the Environmental Review Tribunal (the “Tribunal”), if, within fifteen (15) days after service upon you of this Order, you serve written notice upon the Review Tribunal and the Director as set out in section 6.3. …

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    APPENDIX A: Technical Memorandum Re: Surface Water/Sediment Results in 2016 Annual Report

    TO: Jamie Mugford, Issues Coordinator, Peterborough District Office, Eastern Region
    FROM: Dana Cruikshank, Surface Water Specialist, Technical Support Section – Water Resources Unit, Eastern Region
    RE: 2016 PCB Monitoring Report for Stormwater and Groundwater, General Electric Canada, 107 Park Street North, Peterborough, Ontario
    DATE: July 6, 2017
    IDS Ref #: 6646-AK3LLW

    I have reviewed the above report dated February 2016 prepared by AECOM with respect to surface water concerns only.

    For 2015, AECOM reports:

    • Site is located at 107 Park Street North, in Peterborough and comprises one city block of 20.5 ha. The neighbouring lands are residential with some commercial and recreational land use.
    • The adjacent Monaghan Road parking lot property is 10.8 ha and is largely undeveloped and has been used as an employee parking lot in the eastern end.
    • Paved areas of the facility and Monaghan Road property were swept in June 2016 to minimize potential of sediment loading the catch basins (CB) and manholes (MH)
    • Approximately 180 CBs and MHs were inspected and cleaned out in June and July 2015.
    • Other BMP activities were conducted at the site.
      • Debris was removed from Buildings 20, 16A and 18.
      • Top 300 mm of surface soil removed from areas around CBR 107, 108, 137 and Outfall CBR35 and replaced with clear stone.
      • 105 m of silt fence installed along asphalt grass interface within Outfall CBR 35
      • Filter cloths were replenished at all CBs
      • Surface soil around CBR5 was isolated and stabilized. Geotextile was placed on exposed soil and covered with 150 mm of clear stone.
    • Stormwater from Zones 1, 2 and 3 accounts for 100% of the siermwater fron the facility and 78% of the stormwater discharged.
    • Storm sewer network was divided into 18 catchment areas and divided into five zones. The catch basins are named for the catch basin/manhole located at the outfall of the catchment area to the City of Peterborough storm sewer system.
    • In 2016 storm sewer outfalls were inspected and water and sediment sampling at 18 storm sewer outfalls was conducted three times per year.
    • Three storm sewer sampling events occurred in 2015 (spring, summer and fall). Some sites had supplemental sampling during August based on the May/June sampling results.

    Zone 1 (Wolfe Street)

    • CBR 11: Storm water sampling total PCB values ranged from 0.05 to 0.62 μg/L. -exceeding the site criteria. There was no measurable accumulative sediment io collect samples from. CBR 11 was not flowing during any of the sampling events, which is representative more of standing water than storm water. Water quality was significantly improved in 2015.
    • CBR35: Storm water PCB values ranged from 0.05 to 2.3 μg/L and it was flowing only during the October sampling event. Sediment was measured four times and there was no measurable sediment. 13 samples were taken in the grassed area and from areas of soil accumulation on the asphalt. PCB concentrations from the grass area ranged from 0.14 to 46 and from 1.6 to 22 μg/g from the asphalt area.
    • CBR 36: Water was not sampled in 2016. Sediment was measured once and there was no measurable amount.
    • 7 out 13 soil samples exceeded Table 3 standard for PCBs.

    Zone 2 (Park Street)

    • CBR 20: Stormwater was sampled three times in 2016. Flow occurred in two events. Total PCB storm water analytical data ranged from 0.01 to 0.189 μg/L. Site criteria were exceeded only during the no flow event. No sediment accumulation was found during the four monitoring events.
    • CBR 22: There was no flow or sufficient water to take a sample in 2016. There was no sediment collected from this outfall in 2016.
    • MHR 1: Stormwater sampled three times. All three samples met site eriteria (0.02 μg/L). No sediment was found and therefore no samples. Various BMP measures were applied to this area in 2015 and have appeared to improve stormwater quality in 2016.
      • There are 12 sub catchment areas within MHR1. No other stormwater was sampled in this outfall catchment area.
      • 99 out 101 CBs and MHs had sediment thickness measured. No sediment accumulation was measured in 42 of them. Accumulated sediment ranged from 0 to 0.22m. samples were collected from 20 locations with 32 at or below site criteria. Highest concentration was 6.3 μg/g at MHR 28.
      • Roof debris in two 2015 samples were 0.45 and 0.5 pe/g. 2016 one sample had < 3 μg/g.
      • Surface area around CBs and MHs were swept in June 2016 and CBs and MHs containing sediment were cleaned out in July 2016.
    • MHR 41: three storm water sampling everits were conducted in 2016. Analysis ranged from 0.02 to 0.04 μg/L PCBs. No other stormwater sampling was conducted in this outfall catchment area.
      • No sediment accumulation was noted at MHR41. 16 out 20 CBs and MHs gad sediment measured Thickness ranged from 0 to 0.07 m and samples collected from 11 locations.
      • 4 out of 11 had PCB concentrations at or below site criteria.
    • MHR45; No storm water was sampled. Three sediment locations were sampled and one exceeded site criteria.

    Zone 3 (Albert Street)

    • CBR 73: Storm water sampled three times. Water flowing on twe occasions. PCBs were not detected in storm water in all three samples. Two sediment samples were taken and all sediment samples were at or below site criteria.
    • CBR 111: Stormwater was sampled three times and only flowing once in October. PCBs were not detected. No sediment accumulation was observed.
    • CBR 112: Stormwater was sampled three times and only flowing once in October. PCBs were below lab MDLs. One sediment sample was taken at CBR 75 (0.04 μg/g) and exceeded site criteria.
    • CBMHR 113: Stormwater was sampled three times and flowed during July and October. PCB concentrations range from 0.01to 0.28 μq/L. There were no sediment accumulations at CBR 113.
      • CNR 114 had a small amount of sediment and was had a concentration 350 μg/g in Nov 2015. CBR 114 is immediately upstream of CBMR 113. The four CBRs that feed CBR 114 all had low concentrations and therefore another source is impacting on CBR 114.
      • A newly discovered pipe connection from CBR 77 to CBR 114 may be a potential source.
      • Soil samples around this CBR were below Table 3 criteria.
    • C.STM.MH: This is an outfall to municipal sewer system and is fed from CBR 77 and roof drains from Buildings 18 and 20. Sampled twice in 2016 but only flowed in October. PCB was not detected in either sample.
      • Sediment was sampled three times and exceeded site criteria.
    • MHR 35: Stormwater was sampled three times and there was flow for all three events. Site criteria was exceeded on two occasions.
      • No sediment was found.
      • Roof debris had PCB concentrations ranging from 0.025 to 0.23 μg/g.
    • CBR 82: PCBs in stormwater were not detected during all three events in 2016 and flowed during all events.
      • Sediment was measured four times and had measurable amounts on two occasions and were above site criteria (0.24-0.48 μg/g).
    • CBR 90: CBR 90 receives roof downspout flow fram Bldg. 34 and flows south to the City sewer on Albert Street Three samples were taken and were below site criteria. Sediment samples were below site criteria.
    • CBR94: PCB concentrations exceeded site criteria during all three sampling events and ranged from 0.04 fo 0.16 μg/L.
    • CBR 107: water from CBR 107 flows to the City Sewer on Albert Street and receives water from roof drainage from Bidg. 30 and CBR 108. PCB concentrations were above the site criteria during all three sampling events and ranged from 0.03 to 0 0.07 μg/L. No sediment accumulation was found in 2016. PCBs in soil were below Table 3.

    Zone 4 (Monaghan Road)

    • CBMHR130: Water flows east to the City sewer on Monaghan Road PCBs in storm water were below MDL in all three sampling events in 2016. Flow occurred during the July and October sampling events.
      • There was no sediment accumulation at CBR130. Two out of 11 CBs in the catchment area had measurable armounts and exceeded site criteria.
      • 41 out of 44 soil samples taken in 2015 and 2016 were below the Table 7 standard.
    • CBR 137: PCBs in storm water above the criteria were detected once out of three sampling events. CBR 137 was not flowing in 2016 during any of the sampling events.
      • No sediment accumulation found.
      • Soils around CBR 137 exceeding Table 7 standard were removed and replaced with clear stone in 2016.

    Zone 5 (Monaghan Road Gravel Lot)

    • Feeds city storm sewers on Monaghan Road MH166xxx was sample three times in 2016 and exceeded site criteria all three times. MH166xxx flowed during all three sampling events.
      • Sediments from both CBs and off-site were below the site criteria.

    Zone 6 (Park Street Property)

    • There are three CBRs that weren’t sampled in 2016 for stormwater.
    • Sediment collected from the three CBRs were below site criteria.

    City Storm Sewer Manholes

    • #136551: Receives storm water fram Zone 7 (CBR 11 and CBR 35). Storm water sampled three times and two were below site storm water criteria. The one exceedance occurred when the City was flushing the storm sewer lines.
    • Sediment found in three out of four occasions and no detects in two out of three samples.
    • Sediment samples taken and both were non-detects. The one exceedance occurred post flushing of lines.
    • #135686: Receives storm water from Zones 3, 4 and 5. Sampled twice with one exceedance. No sediment found.
    • #135683: Receives water from all five zones. Sarmpled twice with one exceedance, Sediment accumulation was measured on three occasions were below site criteria.

    Numerous BMPs were carried out at the site in 2016 and should be continued as listed in Section 5.2 of the report.

    Continue monitoring as per 2016 monitoring program.

    Inspect and sample all CBs and MHs on Site in 2017 to assess whether there is ongeing accumulation and to establish a baseline for future monitoring.

    Specific Recommendations to Each Zone

    • Zone 1: CBR 11 Outfall does not contribute any stormwater to city storm sewer and recommends that CBR11 be permanently plugged.
      • Continue BMPs at CBR 35.
    • Zone 2: CBR22 does not contribute any stormwater te the City storm sewer and recommends that CBR22 be permanently plugged.
    • Zone 3: CBR77 temporarily plugged but should be monitored during spring melt in 2017 to determine if still required.
      • Investigate potential sources within CBR94 outfall catchment of PCBs.
    • Zone 4: Seal remaining cracks in the PCB Waste Management Area in 2017.
    • Zone 5: CBR140 and associated sewer pipes either repaired or decommissioned.
      • Investigate ways to manage surface soils impacted by PCBs and to reduce PCB concentrations in stormwater.
    • City Sewers: Recommends MH166xxx cleaned out in 2017.

    Reviewer’s Comments

    The reviewer appreciates the division of the site by catchments and zones. It makes understanding the site much easier. The report is well laid out and data easy to find and understand. The reviewer would appreciate if the Excel tables with all the sampling locations could also be organized by zone and outfall.

    Figure 1 shows the percentage of water samples for each of the five years of sampling broken down by various concentrations and Figure 2 shows the percentage of sediment samples. The data in Figures 1 and 2 is somewhat skewed by the number of samples for each year and the site locations within that year.

    The data in Figure 1 shows that the percentage of water samples that meet or are less than the site criteria of 0.02 μg/L has not changed much over the five years of sampling. Figure 1 does show that concentrations are improving over time. The 0.02-0.05 μg/L category saw a huge increase in 2016 compared to the previous four years and the percentage of higher concentrations (0.5 μg/L) decreased substantially in 2016 compared to 2015 and other historical data.

    The largest percentage for sediment concentrations is less than the site criteria for each year. 2016 saw a significant increase in the number of samples that meet or are less than the site criteria of 0.2 μg/g.

    The percentage of concentrations exceeding 5.0 μg/g has again significantly decreased in 2016 compared to 2012 to 2015 data.

    Off-site locations include four City of Peterborough manhole jocations.

    STM-MH136551 which receives runoff from Zone 1 and city storm sewers along Wolfe Street Storm water is then directed along Park Street where it mixes with runoff from CBR 22, CBR 20 and STM.MHR 41 where it ends up going to STM.MH135683 on Rink Street There was one water and sediment exceedance which coincided with the City flushing lines. There were no previous water or sediment exceedances in 2014 and 2015,

    MH135686 located on Rink Street and receives storm water from Zone 3 catch basins as well as Zones 4 and 5. No sediment was found in 2016. Two water samples were taken and one exceeded site criteria.

    MH135683 located on Rink Street receives storm water from all seven zones including other storm water in the catchment area. It was sampled for stormwater twice and had one exceedance. Sediment was found in 2016 on two occasions with no exceedances.

    MH166xxx was sampled three times and three had storm water exceedances. Sediment was sampled in seven locations and only one at MH166xx1 had a sediment exceedance. These manholes are located on Monaghan Road and receive water from Zone 5 and other sources.

    The 2016 results indicate that there has been improvement in both water and sediment concentrations resulting from the BMPs employed in 2016.

    The reviewer agrees that sarnpling and cleaning should be repeated as proposed in 2017. The reviewer notes that 2016 was a very dry year and some of the improvements may be related to lack of runoff. 2017 to date has been extremely wet so if will be interesting to see if the 2017 results show continued improvement as a result of above average precipitation so far this year.

    Recommendations

    1. Sampling of storm water and sediment should continue in 2017 as proposed.
    2. All historical and current monitoring data should continue to be presented in spreadsheet format (i.e. Excel™) either on CD/DVD or electronic format that can be manipulated by the reviewer.
    3. BMPs as proposed should continue in 2017.

    lf you have any questions regarding the above comments or recommendations | would be pleased to discuss them with you.

    Dana Cruikshank
    cc: Kyle Stephenson; Doug Brown; Courtney Redmond
    File SW-PB-PT-03-17 (GE Peterborough)
    File SW-PT-07-02-1 1-02-02 (Otonabee River)

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    APPENDIX B: Technical Memorandum Re: Groundwater Monitoring Results in 2016 Annual Report

    TO: Jamie Mugford, Issues Project Coordinator, Peterborough District Office, Eastern Region
    FROM: Thomas Guo, Hydrogeologist, Technical Support Section, Eastern Region
    RE: GE Power Conversion — Motors, Peterborough, 2016 PCB Monitoring Report for Storm Water and Groundwater, 107 Park Street North, Peterborough, Ontario
    DATE: January 5, 2018

    I have reviewed the report entitled “GE Power Conversion — Motors, Peterborough, 2016 PCB Monitoring Report for Storm Water and Groundwater” dated February 2017 and completed by AECOM consultants (AECOM).

    I offer the following comments for your consideration from groundwater perspective.

    Background

    The GE Power Conversion — Motors industrial facility (the “site”) is located at 107 Park Street in Peterborough. GE manufactures large and small motors. PCBs were used at the site in the past to manufacture capacitors. Waste oils containing PCBs were used as a dust suppressant at the site and on an adjacent property used for employee parking (the Monaghan Road parking lot).

    The Facility was originally built in the late 1880s as a manufacturing facility for GE Canada and has been operating for the manufacturing and assembly of capacitors, small and large motors.

    The northern portion of former Building 4 (referred to as Building 4N) is a former PCB Waste Storage Facility (Registered PCB Waste Storage 305 90A 006) and had historically been used in the manufacturing of capacitors and other products known to contain PCBs. Building 4 was demolished in 2014 (CRA, 2015) and the area was covered with a Cover System with two main objectives:1) to be protective of human health and welfare from exposure to materials potentially containing PCBs by direct contact and 2) to eliminate the potential for transfer of contaminants from Building 4 to the storm sewers and the surrounding environment.

    In 1981, environmental investigations were initiated at the Site including the installation, monitoring and sampling of groundwater monitoring wells. Monitoring of stormwater, storm sewer sediment, and groundwater quality for the presence of PCB has been conducted at the Site since 1992.

    In 1995, the MOECC issued Director’s Instructions establishing the Monaghan Road Parking Lot as an Interim PCB Waste Management area. In accordance with the Director’s Instructions, areas of the Monaghan Road Property, which contain soils with PCB concentrations greater than 5 g/g were covered with an asphalt cap. The Director’s Instructions also established requirements for the inspection of the cap, ongoing storm sewer and groundwater monitoring, and annual reporting.

    Geology

    The stratigraphic and hydrostratigraphic conditions at, and in the vicinity of the site are detailed in the Site Specific Risk Assessment (CRA, 2002). The stratigraphic units identified in descending order are:

    • Silty sand and gravel alluvium deposits; and,
    • Silty clay galciolacustrine deposit

    Hydrogeology

    Groundwater flow occurs under unconfined conditions within the silty sand and gravel alluvium deposit. The underlying silty glacial lacustrine deposit represents the basis of the unconfined groundwater flow system, and is an aquitard that separates the unconfined groundwater system from deeper groundwater flow system.

    In 2016, groundwater in the silty sand and gravel alluvium deposit flows was in a southeasterly direction under unconfined conditions. The depth of the water table quickly changed from 10.9 metres below ground surface (mbgs) at MW/76, at the top of the hill, to approximately 0.2 mbgs at the bottom of the hill at MW74, as the ground surface drops 20 m. At MW73, approximately 120 m from Monaghan Road, the water table was 2.1 mbgs. Near former Building #4, the groundwater in June 2016 was approximately 2.7 mbgs.

    Along Park Street North, the sanitary sewer backfill (which is expected to be composed of coarser materials that are of higher hydraulic conductivity compared to the surrounding natural deposits) appears to act as a drain that captures and conveys groundwater southward along the eastern site boundary towards the influence of the groundwater extraction and treatment system (GETS). The GETS is located along the southwestern property boundary and serves to reduce the movement of groundwater from the site.

    Site Restoration Criteria

    The cleanup criteria are derived from the “Soils Ground Water and Sediment Standards for Use Under Part XV.1 of the Environmental Protection Act” (MOECC, 2011). The area is municipally serviced. The onsite land use is industrial/commercial/community. The offsite land use is residential/parkland/institutional. The soils are classified as coarse textured. AECOM has applied Table 3 cleanup criteria for soil and groundwater to most of the site and Table 7 cleanup criteria to the parking lot property where the depth to the water table can be less than two metres below ground surface. These are the appropriate cleanup criteria for soil and groundwater at the site.

    Contaminants of Concern

    The main source area of PCBs in groundwater is in the vicinity of the former building #4 (the location of the former capacitor manufacturing operation).

    Groundwater Monitoring Results

    AECOM reports the following with respect to the groundwater monitoring:

    • At the facility, MW25, MW26, and MW28 are monitoring locations where PCB concentrations have historically been above the applicable Table 3 standard. These monitoring wells are located in the area of the former Building 4 Cover System which covers the former capacitor manufacturing area. The three monitoring wells were above the applicable Table 3 standard in 2016 but 2016 results are lower than historical results;
    • Monitoring wells (MW25, MW26 and MW28) are located at, or near, the north end of former Building 4 Cover System. PCB concentrations are consistent with historical trends. There is no existing on-site storm sewer line in the area below the water table. Groundwater in this location is unlikely to impact stormwater quality in this area;
    • Dissolved PCBs in groundwater are unlikely to impact stormwater quality;
    • PCBs in groundwater at the Monaghan Road Property were either below the reporting limit or below the applicable Table 7 standard of 0.2 ug/L;
    • Debris containing low levels of PCBs was removed from the roofs on Building 20, part of Building 16A and part of Building 18 to reduce the potential loading of PCBs from the building roofs to the storm sewer system; and,
    • Surface soil impacted with PCB in the area around CBR85 was isolated and stabilized to eliminate the potential for contact and mobilization to catch basins (CBs) and manholes (MHs). Geotextile was placed on exposed soil and covered with approximately 150 mm of clear stone material.

    Recommendations

    AECOM recommends the following:

    • The proposed 2017 groundwater monitoring program is presented in Appendix J. The PCB groundwater quality program should continue to focus on the area of the former Building 4 Cover System; MW25, MW26 and MW28.
    • Implement measures to minimize soil disturbance and sediment transport at the Site and in particular adjacent to paved working areas at the Site (i.e. through the use of signage and barriers where appropriate); and,
    • Identify further opportunities to promote infiltration of surface water into the ground and reduce flow to storm sewer CBs and MHs.

    I concur with the consultant’s recommendations.

    Thomas Guo, M. Eng, P. Geo.

    cc: Peter Taylor, Technical Support Manager; Greg Faaren, Water Resources Supervisor; Dana Cruikshank, Surface Water Specialist

    File GW PB PT 03 02 PA (GE 107 Park Street North)
    TG/IDS # 1005-AK3LXU

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    APPENDIX C: Technical Memorandum Re: 2016 Soil Vapour Monitoring Report

    TO: K. Andreoli, District Engineer, Peterborough District Office, Eastern Region
    FROM: Ross Kircher, Air Quality Analyst, Technical Support Section, Eastern Region
    RE: 2016 Soil Vapour Monitoring Report, GE Industrial Systems Facility, 107 Park Street North, Peterborough, Ontario
    DATE: June 13, 2017
    IDS Ref#: 5125-AK3LDL

    I have reviewed the 2016 Soil Vapour Sampling Report and supporting information prepared by AECOM Canada Ltd. (AECOM) dated February 16, 2017 with respect to soil vapour and air quality concerns around the area of 107 Park Street North, Peterborough.

    Background

    • The “site” includes 107 Park Street North as well as several adjacent parking lots in Peterborough, ON. General Electric (GE) operates a manufacturing facility at the site, producing capacitors and large and small motors. Neighboring land use is primarily residential, with some commercial and recreational land use.
    • Volatile organic compounds (VOC) were detected in groundwater in 2000. Contaminants of concern (CoCs) are trichloroethylene (TCE) and its breakdown products: cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (c12DCE), trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (t12DCE), 1,1dichloroethylene (11DCE)and vinyl chloride (VC). TCE was used at the site for degreasing operations.
    • Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA) established a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for the site in 2001. The RAP included the installation of a groundwater extraction and treat system (GETS), source removal, as well as a site specific risk assessment (SSRA). As part of the SSRA, several soil vapour monitoring locations were installed downgradient of the facility. The SSRA also established site-specific soil vapour criteria for off-site VOC impacts.
    • In 2012, the historical soil vapour monitoring locations were replaced with a network of twenty-two (22) new soil vapour monitors.
    • In 2015, Standards Development Branch (SDB) of the MOECC commented on the 2014 Soil Vapour Monitoring Report for the Site. SDB requested the use of updated healthbased indoor air criteria (HBIAC) to derive soil vapour screening levels. Soil vapour monitoring frequency was reduced to semi-annually (spring and summer) after this review.
    • GE Canada submitted the revised soil vapour screening levels as well as a proposal to use Waterloo Membrane Samplers (WMSs) at all soil vapour monitoring locations alongside Summa canisters at selected monitoring locations for validation.

    Summary

    • In accordance with the amended RAP, and recommendations from previous soil vapour monitoring reports for the Site, monitoring for CoCs was conducted according to the schedule below:
    Method Waterloo Membrane Sampler (WMS) Summa Canister
    Spring GP3-12
    GP5-12 GP5-12
    GP7-12 GP7-12
    GP18-12
    GP19-12
    GP21-12
    Summer GP3-12
    GP5-12 GP5-12
    GP7-12 GP7-12
    GP18-12
    GP19-12
    GP21-12
    • Soil vapour sampling was conducted by AECOM using WMSs for the first time in 2015, and has continued to be the primary method since that time.
    • The WMS method was developed at the University of Waterloo. It uses a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane across the opening of a vial filled with sorbent charcoal. The PDMS controls the uptake rate of VOCs into the sampler. The WMSs used at the Site incorporated a cap over the membrane with a “pinhole” opening, which facilitates a slower uptake rate of VOCs. This slower uptake rate is advantageous for the site, because it limits the potential for starvation effects. VWWMSs were installed and left in the soil vapour probes for the duration of the monitoring period.
    • WMSs were installed in each soil vapour robe using a downrigger cable, which suspended each WMS with the membrane facing downward, positioned approximately in the middle of the screened interval of the probe. Where duplicate samples were taken, two WMSs were hung from the same downrigger cable in the same probe several centimeters from each other. J-plugs were installed at the top of each soil vapour probe for an effective seal. New J-plugs were installed at each soil vapour probe in 2015.
    • Section 2.2.1 summarizes the sampling schedule for WMS samplers at the Site in both spring 2016 and summer 2016 events. On average, WMSs were present in soil vapour probes for approximately 10 days. Following removal, WMSs were sent to Eurofins Air Toxics Ltd. In California for analysis. QA/QC procedures were utilized to ensure sample integrity.
    • Summa canister samples were collected over approximately 20 minutes in accordance with MOECC Draft Technical Guidance: Soil Vapour Intrusion Assessment (Sept, 2013), and analyzed according to US EPA method TO-15. Samples were analyzed by Maxxam Analytics Inc. QA/QC procedures were utilized to ensure sample integrity.
    • Section 3.2 of the submission details the analytical results for the spring 2016 and summer 2016 sampling events. Results are compared to soil vapour screening levels calculated using the MOECC Modified Generic Risk Assessment Spreadsheet (2014). These screening levels vary with contaminant as well as groundwater depth, as detailed below (Section 3.2 in the submission):
    Parameter Where Water Table >3 mBGS Where Water Table <3 mBGS
    Residential
    (μg/m3)
    Industrial/Commercial
    (μg/m3)
    Residential
    (μg/m3)
    Industrial/Commercial
    (μg/m3)
    TCE 95.8 1,580 13.6 100
    11DCE 5110 182,000 730 12,500
    c12DCE 4460 441,000 1,570 26,800
    t12DCE 11,100 181,000 625 10,700
    VC 43.7 1,350 6.3 102
    • AECOM references Nov 2016 updates to the MGRA model that may affect the soil vapour screening levels, but indicates that until guidance is released on the use of these updates, AECOM will continue to use the 2014 MGRA screening levels.
    • AECOM notes TCE is the only soil vapour parameter that has exceeded applicable screening levels since the implementation of the RAP soil vapour monitoring program in 2012. Therefore, AECOM concludes that all other CoCs (11DCE, c12DCE, t12DCE, and VC) do not pose an unacceptable risk to human health due to vapour intrusion.
    • In 2016, all soil vapour samples were below relevant soil vapour screening levels, with the exception of GP7-12. Duplicate samples were collected using both Summa canisters and WMSs at GP7-12 in both spring and summer 2016. Summa canisters and duplicates recorded TCE concentrations of approximately 300yg/m* and 620yg/m? in spring and summer respectively. WWMSs and duplicates recorded TCE concentrations of approximately 190µg/m* and 390µg/m3 in spring and summer respectively. These concentrations exceed the relevant screening level (13.6µg/m3 -residential, water table <3mBGS).
    • AECOM indicates that the soil vapour results are consistent with historical results. In general, summer soil vapour concentrations are higher than those in spring, which AECOM suggests may be associated with a drier than normal summer in 2016.
    • AECOM concludes that results do not indicate a potential for unacceptable risk due to vapour intrusion to the properties surrounding GP3-12, GP5-12, GP18-12, GP19-12, and GP21-12, since all CoC concentrations were below relevant screening levels. Similarly, AECOM concludes that while TCE concentrations at GP7-12 exceed the screening level, they do not pose a potential for unacceptable risk due to vapour intrusion since TCE concentrations at shallower adjacent monitoring wells (GP18-12 and GP21-12) are below the screening level.
    • AECOM suggests that the presence of a clay lens in the area further ameliorates the potential for vapour intrusion, since it does not allow vapour concentrations to permeate upward.
    • AECOM indicates that there is a significant difference between WMS results and Summa canister results, which may be due to natural spatial and/or temporal variability. This does not necessarily indicate that WMS results are less accurate or precise. Additional parallel sampling with WMSs and Summa canisters will continue to be undertaken in future soil vapour investigations at the Site.
    • AECOM recommends no changes to the sampling program for 2017.

    Comments and Recommendations

    I agree with the test methods and quality of sample data obtained. I am confident the concentrations obtained from the survey accurately represent conditions at the sites assessed.

    I accept the parallel use of WMSs and Summa canisters, and support the continued use of both at the site. Due to the high concentrations at GP7-12, | support the continued use of both methods when testing that particular probe.

    TCE concentrations were detected in GP7-12 at approximately 50 times the screening limit. These are significant concentrations, and coupled with groundwater results suggest that potential for vapour intrusion is present at the site.

    • AECOM concludes that the discontinuous clay lens will act to attenuate vapour migration into nearby residences. The MOECC Groundwater Unit has advised that this is true only if the clay liner is continuous near potential receptors. Although the presence of a clay lens may indeed prevent migration into the surface layer, concentrations detected beneath the clay lens are high enough that should a discontinuity be present at or near a receptor, potential risk of vapour intrusion is significant.
    • MOECC Draft Technical Guidance suggests that at more than 5 times the screening imit, an indoor air sampling program be considered to more fully determine the extent and risk of vapour intrusion to nearby properties. Recognizing the significant concentrations at GP7-12 and its proximity to potential receptors, the implementation of an indoor air and/or a sub-slab sampling program should be considered around the site.

    Summary

    TCE concentrations were detected at significant concentrations in soil vapour near 107 Park St N, Peterborough. AECOM has advised that a clay lens in the area prevents migration of contaminants from soil vapour to indoor air; however, this is only true if the clay lens is continuous near potential receptors. This is an assumption that has not been confirmed at all locations; therefore, the potential for vapour intrusion exists and is significant. Because of the high concentrations detected at GP7-12, | recommend soil vapour sampling continue as planned in 2017. Further, an indoor air or sub-slab sampling program may also be considered at proximate receptors for another line of evidence.

    If you have any questions concerning these comments | would be pleased to discuss them with you.

    Ross Kircher

    cc: Kelly Andreoli; Meghan Brien; Shawn Trimper; Greg Faaren; Peter Taylor; Kyle Stephenson

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    APPENDIX D: Technical Memorandum Re: the Groundwater Extraction and Treatment Annual Report, Monitoring Program Summary Document, including Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System Operation

    TO: K. Andreoli, District Engineer, Peterborough District Office, Eastern Region
    FROM: F. Crossley, Hydrogeologist, Technical Support Section, Eastern Region
    RE: 2014 Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System, General Electric Industrial Systems Facility, 107 Park Street North, Peterborough, Ontario
    DATE: April 23, 2015

    I reviewed the “2014 Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System — General Electric” dated February, 2015 to determine the impacts from the GE site and determine the effectiveness of the groundwater pump and treat system.

    General Electric Industrial Systems Facility (GE) is located at 107 Park Street North in Peterborough, Ontario. GE manufactures large and small motors.

    In November, 2000, this Ministry issued GE an Order requiring GE to submit and implement an action plan to investigate and develop a remedial approach to abate the egress of contaminants offsite. The contaminants of concern have been determined to be trichloroethylene (TCE) and its related breakdown products dichloroethylenes (DCE’s) and vinyl chloride (VC). The contaminants of concern are referred to as the “volatile organic compound plume”.

    The cleanup criteria is derived from the “Soils, Ground Water and Sediment Standards for Use Under Part XV.1 of the Environmental Protection Act” (MOE, 2011). The cleanup criteria is Table 3 from this document. CRA state that they undertook a Site Specific Risk Assessment and determined soil gas and groundwater site specific risk based cleanup criteria. CRA state that the Ministry concurred (2002) with the site specific risk based cleanup criteria.

    The consultants determined the geology to be:

    • Silty sand and gravel unit (Alluvium Deposit) varying in thickness from approximately 2 — 10 metres below ground surface.
    • Silty clay unit (Lacustrine Deposit) reported on the order of 18 metres in thickness.
    • Limestone/shale (Verulum Formation).

    The consultants determined the physical hydrogeological characteristics to be:

    • The groundwater is at about 2-3 metres below ground surface.
    • The estimated hydraulic conductivity of the silty sand unit is 1 x 10? cm/sec.
    • The estimated hydraulic conductivity of the silty clay unit is 1 x 10” cm/sec.
    • The hydraulic gradient ranges from 0.001 to 0.004.
    • The hydrogeological conceptual model is migration of the contaminants of concern to the south southeast in the silty sand unit (unconfined aquifer) with the underlying silty clay unit acting as an aquitard and restricting the vertical migration of the contaminants of concern. There are localized effects due to anthropogenic activities (sanitary sewer along Park Street which restricts the movement of contaminants of concern to the east).

    The agreed upon work plan (2001) was:

    • Installation of a perimeter groundwater extraction and treatment system to eliminate/reduce the egress of contaminants of concern from continuing to migrate off property.
    • Investigation in the source area and continue product removal from MW-58.
    • Undertake a Site Specific Risk Assessment to address the offsite impacts.
    • Conduct a monitored natural attenuation approach to: evaluate the effectiveness of the remedial activities; evaluate the effectiveness of the monitored natural attenuation approach; determine the impacts and determine the potential impacts.

    CRA state that they installed the perimeter groundwater extraction and treatment system in 2001 as a pilot study. The full scale perimeter groundwater extraction and treatment system was activated in October, 2004.

    The groundwater pumping system consists of:

    • Seven extraction wells (EW1-EW7) located along the southern property boundary (eastern half) to depths ranging from 8.23 to 9.3 metres below ground surface.

    The groundwater treatment system consists of:

    • Chemical sequestering system (to reduce scaling).
    • Air stripper (main treatment).
    • Two liquid phase granulated activated carbon (GAC) units in series (polishing).
    • Bag filters.
    • Equalization tanks.
    • Discharge of “treated water” to the sanitary sewer (City of Peterborough).

    CRA state that the groundwater pump and treat system collected 78,759 m* since the startup of the system to December 31, 2014 (15,334 m* during 2014). The groundwater pump and treat system has a permit, 5222-9L2QKE (formerly 04-P-4045). The calculated average daily taking is 42,011 litres/day. The total allowable taking is 273,600 litres/day. The permit is valid until April 21, 2019.

    Figure 5.1 in the report shows the groundwater contours. Figure 5.2 in the report shows the groundwater contours in proximity to the groundwater extraction system (enlargement of Figure 5.1). The groundwater contours show the pumping effects are having hydraulic control along the southern property boundary.

    The influent results are summarized in Table E6.1 in the report. The results are from the startup (2004) until the end of 2014. The results show the following yearly average TCE concentrations: 1,445 µg/L — 2004; 1,697 µg/L — 2005; 1,715 µug/L — 2006; 1,888 µg/L — 2007; 1,096 µg/L — 2008, 579 µg/L — 2009, 1,215 µg/L — 2010, 621 µg/L — 2011, 1276 µg/L — 2012; 1,222 µg/L -2013 and 733 µg/L -2014. The results show a fluctuating trend.

    The midstream results are summarized in Table E6.2 in the report. The 2014 results show low to non detect values of the contaminants of concern during 2014 after the air stripper (midstream). The results post GAC units (Table E6.3 in the report) show non detect or low level concentrations. The results show the primary treatment system is the air stripper with the GAC units providing a “polishing” effect.

    The effluent results are summarized in Table E6.4 in the report. The 2014 results show non detect values of the contaminants of concern. The effluent has to meet discharge criteria set by the municipality.

    The consultants state that they undertook a Site Specific Risk Assessment and that this Ministry accepted the risk assessment (2002). The consultants state that the site specific risk based cleanup criteria for the contaminants of concern in groundwater are:

    • tetrachloroethylene (PCE) — 3,198 µg/L
    • TCE — 1,355 µg/L
    • 1,1-DCE — 3 µg/L
    • cis-1,2-DCE — 16,785 µg/L
    • vinyl chloride — 1.5 µg/L

    The consultants conducted a groundwater sampling program. The program consists of onsite and offsite monitoring wells.

    MW-58 is located in the “source area”. CRA state that product was evident in this monitoring well during the 2014 sampling events. During November, 2014, CRA pumped approximately 250 litres of liquid from MW58. The drums were shipped to a hazardous waste site (Clean Harbours) for disposal. As requested, this monitoring well was sampled during 2014. The 2014 results showed highly elevated concentrations (82,000 µg/L) of TCE.

    CRA sampled numerous onsite monitoring wells in proximity to the southern and eastern property boundaries. Exceedances of the risk based cleanup criteria occurred in the following onsite monitoring wells during 2014: MW32 and MW58. Exceedances of the Table 3 cleanup standard occurred in all of the onsite monitoring wells during 2014 except MW67. Figure 4.1 to 4.10 (inclusive) show the TCE time plots for specific onsite monitoring wells. In general, the overall plots show a decreasing trend with the exception of MW32 which is showing an increasing trend. The results show an alternate “source area’ in the vicinity of MW32.

    CRA sampled numerous offsite monitoring wells to delineate the extent of the volatile organic compound plume. Exceedances of the risk based cleanup criteria occurred in the following offsite monitoring wells during 2014: MW59 (VC); MW60 (VC) and MW68 (TCE). Exceedances of the Table 3 cleanup standard occurred in all the offsite monitoring wells with the exception of: MW12 and MW66. Figures 4.11 to 4.20 (inclusive) show the TCE time plots for specific offsite monitoring wells. In general, the overall plots show a stable to decreasing trend with the exception of the VC concentration in MW60. The impacts in MW63R and MW65 are related to tetrachloroethylene (PCE). These impacts do not appear to be sourced from the GE site.

    The horizontal impacts related to GE extend between Parnell Avenue (MW64 impacted) and Romaine Street (MW63R impacted but unrelated to GE). This is based on the Table 3 cleanup standard.

    CRA recommend that the monitoring continue in accordance with the monitoring schedule as approved by this Ministry in May, 2014.

    Conclusions and recommendations

    I offer the following conclusions and recommendations:

    • The site is located at 107 Park Street North in Peterborough. The GE Industrial Systems Facility operates at the site.
    • The cleanup criteria is derived from the “Soils, Ground Water and Sediment Standards for Use Under Part XV.1 of the Environmental Protection Act” (MOE, 2011). The cleanup criteria is Table 3 (Groundwater in Non Potable Conditions) with an industrial/commercial/community land use onsite and primarily residential/parkland/ institutional offsite. The soils are classified as coarse textured.
    • The consultants undertook a Site Specific Risk Assessment as opposed to using the generic criteria. The consultants determined risk based cleanup criteria as part of the Site Specific Risk Assessment (CRA, 2002). As part of the Risk Management Plan, a monitoring program is required (MNA).
    • The contaminants of concern are TCE and its related breakdown products DCE’s and ve.
    • The main “source area’ is in the vicinity of MW58. This monitoring well is checked for product (TCE). If product is present, the product is collected. If product is not present, the monitoring well is to be sampled. Approximately 250 litres of product/impacted water was pumped from MW58 and transported offsite for disposal (hazardous) in November, 2014.
    • The contaminants of concern in the onsite monitoring wells exceed the Table 3 cleanup criteria and the risk based cleanup criteria at MW32 and MW58. The data indicates that there is an alternate source(s) onsite (MW32). Additional work is required at and in the vicinity of MW32.
    • The contaminants of concern in the onsite monitoring wells exceed the Table 3 cleanup standard with the exception of MW67.
    • The impacts in the vicinity of the eastern property boundary are believed to be intercepted by the sanitary sewer along Park Street and are infiltrating into the sewer or migrating along the bedding material (“short circuiting effect”) however there are some impacts to the east of Park Street (approximately 40 metres east).
    • The consultants installed (2004) a groundwater pump and treat system along the southern property boundary. The purpose of this remediation system is to eliminate/reduce the egress of contaminants offsite (hydraulic control). It should be noted that the system is not designed to “pull back” contaminants that have already migrated beyond the property boundary. The consultants should provide the quantity of water collected/“treated” on an annual basis and also compare the takings to the permitted values in the Permit to Take Water to demonstrate compliance with the permit.
    • The consultants state that they have been testing various scale control products during 2014 to attempt to improve the efficiency of the treatment train. CRA state that descaling of the air strippers were undertaken on three (3) occasions and the re-bedding of the GAC units was also undertaken on three (3) occasions during 2014. CRA state that the first GAC vessel leaked and had to be replaced.
    • The contaminants of concern in the influent exceed the Table 3 cleanup criteria and the risk based cleanup criteria, thus the groundwater pump and treat system must be operated and maintained.
    • The influent results for the groundwater pump and treat system generally are showing a fluctuating trend.
    • The effluent results are primarily non detect. The air strippers are providing the primary treatment while the GAC units are providing a “polishing effect”. The effluent is discharged to the sanitary sewer, thus the discharge criteria is set and regulated by the municipality.
    • The impacts beyond the property boundary (zone of influence of the groundwater pump and treat system) are being allowed to naturally attenuate with a monitored natural attenuation approach. The groundwater monitoring program has to be capable of evaluating the effectiveness of the groundwater remediation; evaluating the effectiveness of the natural attenuation approach; determining the impacts and determining the potential impacts.
    • The hydrogeological conceptual model is migration of the contaminants in the shallow sand unit (unconfined aquifer) to the south, southeast with the underlying silty clay unit (aquitard) restricting the vertical migration. The groundwater pump and treat system targets the primary pathway as the extraction wells are completed in the shallow sand unit at the top of the silty clay unit.
    • The contaminants of concern in the offsite monitoring wells exceed the risk based cleanup criteria at: MVV59; MW60 and MW68. The primary concern is vapour intrusion.
    • The contaminants of concern in the offsite monitoring wells exceed the Table 3 cleanup standard. The primary concern is vapour intrusion.
    • The horizontal extent of the “volatile organic compound plume” in the groundwater is reasonably determined and extends from the GE plant to between Parnell Avenue and Romaine Street.
    • The vertical extent of the “volatile organic compound plume” is restricted to the shallow sand unit by the geology (low permeable silty clay unit — aquitard).
    • The PCE impacts at MW65 and MW63R are not attributed to the GE site. An alternate source, potentially a former and/or current dry cleaning operation, likely exists in the area.
    • The groundwater monitoring program should be continued as there are offsite impacts.
    • The groundwater monitoring program is:
      • monitor for the contaminants of concern (TCE and its breakdown products) at the same onsite and offsite monitoring wells as 2014 (Table 3.1 in the report) ata frequency of once per year.
      • maintain the monthly (twelve times per year) sampling (contaminants of concern) at the groundwater pump and treat system (influent, post air strippers, between GAC filters, effluent).
      • sampling the monitored natural attenuation parameters at a frequency of once every five years.
    • The potential primary receptor is vapour intrusion. This is being monitored separately.

    F. Crossley, P.Geo.

    ec: J. Martherus (Acting Supervisor); G. Faaren (Acting Supervisor); D. Bradley; P. Taylor
    c: File GW PB PT 03 02 PA (GE)
    FC/IDS #7424-9UNJUL

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    APPENDIX E: Monitoring Program Summary (20181207)

    TO: ?
    FROM: AECOM
    RE: Monitoring Program Summary (20181207)
    DATE: December 7, 2018

    Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling Program

    Groundwater monitoring wells shall be monitored and sampled one time per year in spring subject to well accessibility and condition, Table 1.

    Groundwater shall be sampled for Total PCB or Select VOCs (1,1 DCE; trans1,2 DCE; cis1,2 DCE, TCE, VC) annually and for Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) parameters every five years.

    The groundwater monitoring program shall be reviewed annually by the QC and any recommendations for change or amendments shall be submitted to the Ministry for review. Any recommendations accepted by the Ministry shall be implemented and shall form part of Appendix E as amended.

    Monitoring results and recommendations shall be reported annually under the titles PCB Monitoring Report for Storm Water and Groundwater and Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System Monitoring Report.

    Table 1 – Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling Program
    Well ID PCB Select VOCs MNA
    (5 Years)
    EW1 X
    EW2 X
    EW3 X
    EW4 X
    EW5 X
    EW6 X
    EW7 X
    MW11R X X
    MW12R X X
    MW25 X
    MW26 X
    MW28 X
    MW5R X
    MW32 X
    MW33 X
    MW49 X
    MW50 X
    MW51 X
    MW52 X
    MW53 X
    MW58 X
    MW59 X X
    MW60 X X
    MW61 X X
    MW62 X
    MW63R X X
    MW64 X X
    MW65 X X
    MW66 X X
    MW67 X
    MW68 X X
    MW71 X X

     

    [Map of Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling Locations – Poor quality]

    Soil Gas Monitoring Program

    Soil Gas probes shall be sampled two times per year in the spring and summer subject to well accessibility and condition, Table 2.

    Parallel sampling was conducted at two locations where Waterloo Membrane Sampler (WMS) and Summa Canister samples were collected at the same time. The need for parallel Summa samples is evaluated annually; based on 2016 and 2017 sampling results it is anticipated that only WMS samples will be collected in 2019 and going forwards.

    Samples shall be analyzed for select VOCs (1,1 DCE; trans1,2 DCE; cis1,2 DCE, TCE, VC)

    The soil gas monitoring program shall be reviewed annually by the QC and any recommendations for change or amendments shall be submitted to the Ministry for review. Any recommendations accepted by the Ministry shall be implemented and shall form part of Appendix E as amended.

    Monitoring results and recommendations shall be reported annually under the title Soi! Vapour Monitoring Report.

    Table 2 — Soil Gas Monitoring and Sampling Program
    Well ID WMS
    GP3-12 X
    GP5-12 X
    GP7-12 X
    GP18-12 X
    GP19-12 X
    GP21-12 X

    [Map of Soil Gas Sampling Locations – Poor quality]

    Storm Sewer Monitoring Program

    Storm Sewer Outfalls including three City of Peterborough Storm Sewer manholes shall be monitored and sampled three times per year during or immediately following a rain event (10mm) subject to outfall accessibility and condition, Table 3.

    Monitoring shall include a visual inspection of the CB / MH and measurement of sediment thickness.

    Where present, sediment shall be sampled for Total PCB (including Aroclors) and TOC.

    Where present, stormwater shall be sampled for Total PCB (including Aroclors) and TSS.

    The storm sewer monitoring program shall be reviewed annually by the QC and any recommendations for change or amendments shall be submitted to the Ministry for review. Any recommendations accepted by the Ministry shall be implemented and shall form part of Appendix E as amended..

    Monitoring results and recommendations shall be reported annually under the title PCB Monitoring Report for Storm Water and Groundwater.

    Table 3 – Storm Sewer Monitoring and Sampling Program
    MH/CB ID Facility
    Outfalls
    Monaghan Rd
    Outfalls
    City of Peterborough Little Lake
    MHR1 X
    MHR35 X
    MHR41 X
    CBR11 * X
    CBR20 X
    CBR22 X
    CBR35 X
    CBR73 X
    CBR82 X
    C.STM.MH X
    CBR90 X
    CBR94 X
    CBR107 * X
    CBR111 X
    CBR112 X
    CBMRH113 X
    CBMHR130 X
    CBR137 X
    CBR140 * X
    CBR142 * X
    MH135686 X
    MH135683 X
    MH136551 X
    MH166902 X
    MH135703 X
    LL-15 X

    *   Catch basin not connected to City storm sewer system. These locations will be monitored but will not be considered representative of storm water outfall from Site.

    [Map of Storm Water Monitoring and Sampling Locations – Poor quality]

    Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System

    The Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System (GETS) operates in the southeast corner of the Site to provide hydraulic containment along a network of seven groundwater extraction wells, EW1 through EVV7, located along the southern property boundary.

    The GETS operates under the following permits:

      • Permit to Take Water (PTTVWV) No. 5222-9L2QKE, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC)
      • Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) 7896-9HDRYN, MOECC: for treatment of groundwater via air stripping; and,
      • Slug Discharge Permit, City of Peterborough (City): for discharge of treated groundwater to the City’s sanitary sewer.

    In accordance with PTTW, daily water taking from all extraction wells are reported annually on a calendar year basis.

    There is no specific monitoring required under the ECA. The ECA is part of a Site-wide ECA.

    Operation of the PTTW (including any sampling) is subject to maintenance and repairs as required.

    A consolidated summary of GETS operation and performance monitoring is reported annually under a report titled Groundwater Extraction and Treatment System Monitoring Report.

    Annual Reporting Details

    Each of the annual reports referred to in this document will be submitted to the Ministry by the end of February each year in the form of three paper copies and an electronic copy.

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    APPENDIX F: CERTIFICATE OF REQUIREMENT

    CERTIFICATE OF REQUIREMENT

    S. 197 (2)

    Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19

    This is to certify that pursuant Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DOO01FA, dated December 10, 2018, and issued pursuant to sections 18, 132, 196 and 197 of the Environmental Protection Act by David Bradley, Director, and being an Order related to property municipally Known as 107 Park Street, Peterborough Ontario with Property Identifier Number (PIN) 28081-0123 (the “Property”) with respect to PCB and TCE contamination on the Property, the following person:

    GENERAL ELECTRIC CANADA PROPERTY INC.

    and any other persons having an interest in the Property are required, before dealing with the Property in any way, to give a copy of the Order, including any amendments that may be made thereto, to every person who will acquire an interest in the land as a result of the dealing.

    Under s. 197 (3) of the Environmental Protection Act, this requirement applies to each person who, subsequent to the registration of this certificate, acquires an interest in the Property.

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    APPENDIX G: CERTIFICATE OF REQUIREMENT

    CERTIFICATE OF REQUIREMENT

    S. 197 (2)

    Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19

    This is to certify that pursuant Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DOOO1FA, dated December 10, 2018, and issued pursuant to sections 18, 132, 196 and 197 of the Environmental Protection Act by David Bradley, Director, and being an Order related to property municipally known as 1063 Monaghan Road, Peterborough Ontario with Property Identifier Number (PIN) 28067-0046 (the “Property”) with respect to PCB and TCE contamination on the Property, the following person:

    GENERAL ELECTRIC CANADA PROPERTY INC.

    and any other persons having an interest in the Property are required, before dealing with the Property in any way, to give a copy of the Order, including any amendments that may be made thereto, to every person who will acquire an interest in the land as a result of the dealing.

    Under s. 197 (3) of the Environmental Protection Act, this requirement applies to each person who, subsequent to the registration of this certificate, acquires an interest in the Property.

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    APPENDIX H: CERTIFICATE OF REQUIREMENT

    CERTIFICATE OF REQUIREMENT

    S. 197 (2)

    Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19

    This is to certify that pursuant Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DOOO01FA, dated December 10, 2018, and issued pursuant to sections 18, 132, 196 and 197 of the Environmental Protection Act by David Bradley, Director, and being an Order related to property municipally known as 297 Rink Street, Peterborough Ontario with Property Identifier Number (PIN) 28091-0139 (the “Property”) with respect to PCB and TCE contamination on the Property, the following person:

    GENERAL ELECTRIC CANADA PROPERTY INC.

    and any other persons having an interest in the Property are required, before dealing with the Property in any way, to give a copy of the Order, including any amendments that may be made thereto, to every person who will acquire an interest in the land as a result of the dealing.

    Under s. 197 (3) of the Environmental Protection Act, this requirement applies to each person who, subsequent to the registration of this certificate, acquires an interest in the Property.

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    APPENDIX I: CERTIFICATE OF REQUIREMENT

    CERTIFICATE OF REQUIREMENT

    S. 197 (2)

    Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.19

    This is to certify that pursuant Director’s Order GE-PTBO-DOOO01FA, dated December 10, 2018, and issued pursuant to sections 18, 132, 196 and 197 of the Environmental Protection Act by David Bradley, Director, and being an Order related to property municipally known as 107 Rubidge Street, Peterborough Ontario with Property Identifier Number (PIN) 28091-0137 (the “Property”) with respect to PCB and TCE contamination on the Property, the following person:

    GENERAL ELECTRIC CANADA PROPERTY INC.

    and any other persons having an interest in the Property are required, before dealing with the Property in any way, to give a copy of the Order, including any amendments that may be made thereto, to every person who will acquire an interest in the land as a result of the dealing.

    Under s. 197 (3) of the Environmental Protection Act, this requirement applies to each person who, subsequent to the registration of this certificate, acquires an interest in the Property.

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    Licence

    We are publishing this material under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence.

    CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0

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  • Ontario Data Catalogue – MECP

    Ontario’s Data Catalogue identifies a total of 124 datasets associated with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP):

    • 87 open datasets
    • 9 restricted datasets
    • 28 datasets under review

    (See https://data.ontario.ca/organization/environment-conservation-and-parks)

    The following datasets are relevant to GE’s plan to demolish abandoned factory buildings in Peterborough:

    • Permit to Take Water (January 1, 1960 – June 30, 2025) – ZIP – XLSX
    • Water Taking
    • Broadscale Monitoring Program Lake Water Chemistry (2008 – 2023) – CSV
    • Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network
      • Water levels (January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2024) – ZIP
      • Water chemistry (January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2024) – ZIP
      • Water wells (January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2023) – SHP – XLSX
      • Precipitation (January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2021)
    • Environmental Occurrences and Spills
    • Fish
      • Fish Contaminants
        • January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2018 – XLSX
        • January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2004 – XLSX
        • January 1, 1999 – December 31, 2001 – XLSX
        • January 1, 1993 – December 31, 1998 – XLSX
        • January 1, 1989 – December 31, 1992 – XLSX
        • January 1, 1986 – December 31, 1988 – XLSX
        • January 1, 1981 – December 31, 1985 – XLSX
        • January 1, 1967 – December 31, 1980 – XLSX
      • Guide to Eating Ontario Fish: Advisory Database (2025) – ZIP – CSV

    Other promising datasets proved irrelevant, for example:

    • Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (5 Water Wells in Peterborough County, none within City of Peterborough)
      • Water levels (January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2024) – ZIP
      • Water chemistry (January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2024) – ZIP
      • Water wells (January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2023) – SHP – XLSX
      • Precipitation (January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2021)
    • Lake Ontario Downstream Tributary Water Chemistry Monitoring (January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2023) – XLSX (only GTA)
    • Water Chemistry (Great Lakes Nearshore Areas) – Lake Ontario Light Profiles (2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2018) – ZIP (only GLIS)
    • Sediment Chemistry (Great Lakes Nearshore Areas) – 2000 – 2023 – CSV (GLIS sites only)
    • Inland Lakes and Streams – Water Chemistry (January 1, 1976 – December 31, 2022) – ZIP (only northern sites)

    We derive the following data:

    Permit to Take Water (January 1, 1960 – June 30, 2025)

    Companies or organizations who take over 50,000 litres of water/day from a lake, river, stream or groundwater source, must obtain a Permit to Take Water from the Ministry of the Environment – with a few exceptions. Permit holders are legally required to record how much water they take each day. Data includes: purpose; location; water source (e.g., ground or surface); maximum amount allowed per day; permit number; expiry date of the permit.

    Permitted water-taking map

    [[Lat, Lon ]] [[Re-write to distinguish number of PTTWs and number of Wells/Sources]] The XLSX file contains 20 PTTWs issed to GE between April 21, 2004 and April 5, 2020; only 1 PTTW is shown as active. Most PTTWs were issued for remediation; 2 PTTWs were for taking water from Monitoring Wells 32 & 53 for dewatering construction in April 2020; 2 PTTWs were for dewatering related to “VPI Pit Excavation” in Fall 2013. [WHAT IS VPI PIT EXCAVATION?”]

    The file also contains 37 PTTWs issued to Outboard Marine Corporation or its successors between January 25, 2006 and March 15, 2021;

    Broadscale Monitoring Program Lake Water Chemistry (2008 – 2023)

    “In 2005, the Province of Ontario implemented its Ecological Framework for Recreational Fisheries Management, a component of which was the establishment of standardized, long-term monitoring of the province’s fisheries resource, referred to as Broadscale Monitoring. The Broadscale Monitoring program was initiated in 2008, with the aim of collecting detailed fisheries and water quality information on a five-year cycle from hundreds of lakes across the province. From 2008 to 2019, spring water chemistry samples were obtained from hundreds of lakes in Ontario, ranging from 5 to 250,000 hectares in size using a standard sampling protocol.”

    A case-insensitive search for “Little L.” OR “Rice L.”) of Broadscale Monitoring Program Lake Water Chemistry (2008 – 2023) – CSV identified 8 samples from 3 locations on Little Lake from May 13, 2008 to May 10, 2022 and 6 samples from 2 locations on Rice Lake from April 24, 2009 to May 5, 2023. We are publishing xxx – XLSX [“C:\0_GE\Government\Provincial\Open Data Catalogue\MECP_Broadscale-Monitoring-Program-Lake-Water-Chemistry_2008-2023_20260608\MECP_Broadscale-Monitoring-Program-Lake-Water-Chemistry_2008-2023_Little-Lake_Rice-Lake_20260608.xlsx”].