Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Hamilton is dealing with contaminated soil in Centennial Heights Park in Freelton.
Soil testing conducted in August at the Karendale Crescent park uncovered “evidence of mercury, zinc, cadmium and lead within the soil that are above the provincial standard for parkland,” the city said in the release, adding the finding does not require residents to take any precautionary measures.
In August, the City of Hamilton’s hired consultant, Terraprobe, to complete preconstruction investigations at Centennial Heights Park before launching a park upgrades project.
Terraprobe conducted soil testing as related to provincial regulations related to on-site and excess soil management. Testing found evidence of mercury, zinc, cadmium and lead within the soil that are above the provincial standard for parkland.
“While the condition of the park poses very little risk to public health, the City felt it important share details regarding the discovery and next steps to address the soil conditions,” the city stated.
A second test on Aug. 17 confirmed soils across the park have “exceedances to ministry parkland standards for mercury, zinc, lead and cadmium.
“Contaminants within the soil are not readily available, nor likely to move through the landscape. City staff have informed the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) of the soil quality.”
The site has remained untouched since at least 1995 and routine water monitoring of nearby municipal wells continues to show zero detection of contaminants.
