As many know, there have been several barrels found while doing major work on Wellington St. (Above pic is not of actual barrel)
The City has been very good at responding publicly when these barrels have been found and this latest one is another example of that transparency:
One more drum removed from construction site & Odours expected to subside quickly
Construction crews found, removed and contained one more metal drum on the construction site near the intersection of Wellington Street and the Hanlon Expressway.
The City has contacted the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, and Guelph’s Emergency Services team has investigated the area and advises anyone who is bothered by the odours to remain indoors, and close all doors and windows until the odours subside.
“We understand the odours are unpleasant; we’ve covered the drum and surrounding soil and will remove them as quickly as possible,” said Kealy Dedman, City Engineer.
Residents with questions or concerns about health can call Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health at 1-800-265-7293 extension 4753.
A gel-like substance was found on the outside of the drum; it did not contain any liquid, and there was no evidence that material leaked into nearby Howitt Creek. The City’s specialized contractor MGI Construction will transport and dispose of the drum and surrounding soil later today. The City expects any related odours to subside quickly.
Since September, 2014, 43 170-litre (45-gallon) drums have been removed from the site:
· Eight drums were removed in September, 2014
· One drum was removed during the site examination in November, 2014
· 33 drums were removed during remediation May 11 to June 4, 2015
· One drum was removed today
The City and its contractors believed they had completed cleanup activities on the site. The drum removed today was found in the soil barrier between the excavation area and Wellington Street—outside the construction route, and outside the remediation area identified last fall.
Soil quality in the area is the same as it was before construction started, and similar to conditions in other parts of the construction zone. The City will continue monitoring the area as part of its ongoing management of local brownfields and historic landfill sites.
“Our immediate priority is to manage what we’ve found in this construction zone. The City is also evaluating other old waste disposal sites, and will discuss our findings with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change,” added Dedman.
Visit guelph.ca/construction for updates about the Paisley-Clythe watermain.
For more information:
Kealy Dedman, City Engineer/General Manager
Engineering Services
519-822-1260 extension 2248
kealy.dedman@guelph.ca