HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-06-047 - Bramm St Operations Environmental Practices
)
~
Community Services
~
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Prepared By:
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
Community Services Committee
April 10, 2006
Ken Currier, Director of Operations
Don Miller, Director of Fleet
Ken Currier
All
March 29, 2006
CSD-06-047
BRAMM STREET OPERATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL
PRACTICES
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only.
BACKGROUND:
A recent Environmental Assessment referenced in DTS-06-048 report March 27,2006 of a
property adjoining the Bramm St Operations Center revealed an environmental issue which was
suspected to have originated on the Bramm St property. Testing revealed that the hydrocarbon
presence is consistent with impacts from gasoline as the soil in this area was found to be grey
stained and revealed a strong gasoline odour. Although the cause of the contamination could
not be determined the issue raised questions as to what current practices are being carried out
at the Operations Center to reduce the likelihood of future environmental issues from occurring.
REPORT:
The Bramm St Operations Center has been functioning for over 75 years as the City of
Kitchener's roads, fleet and works yard. Records indicate that there have been as many as
seven (7) fuel storage tanks located on the property at one time, currently there are three (3)
below ground tanks and one (1) above ground tank. As the old steel tanks were removed they
were replaced with fiberglass tanks. There are two (2) fiberglass below ground tanks for
gasoline and diesel fuel storage and one (1) fiberglass tank used for waste oil storage. The
above ground tank is a dual wall steel tank used for marked diesel fuel.
In 1988 the fuel dispensing systems underwent upgrades to accommodate the bulk fuel
dispensing systems used today. Steel tanks were replaced, vehicle dispensers, piping and
pumps were installed as per regulations governed by the Fuel Safety Branch of the Ministry of
Consumer and Corporate Relations (M.C.C.R.)
Again in 2001 changes were made to install an above ground fuel tank and install safety
ballards around the tank. Recent legislative changes in 2005 directed from the Technical
Standards and Safety Authority (T.S.S.A) of the M.C.C.R. resulted in the replacement of
Report No: CSD-06-047
underground galvanized steel piping with plastic piping and a cathodic protection system was
installed to protect metallic tanks and piping components.
Current regulated T.S.S.A. inspection practices include annual inspections by a qualified service
provider and deficiencies are corrected accordingly. Fuel tanks are dipped and reconciled daily
by our fuel supplier as part of our fuel supply contract. This reconciliation verifies that the fuel
systems are recording fuel usage and there is no system leakage.
In addition we are required to be registered with the Ministry of the Environment to generate
waste products from our Fleet Division operations such as waste oil, fluids from parts washers,
automotive paint waste and floor drain products all which are disposed of by Ministry licensed
waste disposal haulers.
While conducting our Operations activities we also acquire contaminated material or controlled
waste material from sites which cannot be used as clean fill or cover material at the landfill site.
This material contains sewage, high metal counts, some hydrocarbons and slight petroleum
levels. The material is generated through cleaning of sewers, catch basins, street sweeping and
hydro excavations. Materials are dried in bins on site and disposed of at either the Regional
Landfill site or mixed with other materials to be used on various construction projects.
Currently we are required to test this material twice a year and submit the results to the Region
and if found to be within acceptable limits the material can be disposed of at the landfill site.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The disposal of contaminated materials requires funding to pay for the testing, haulage and
tipping fees when utilizing the Regional Landfill site. Annual estimates are approximately
$25,000. Additionally expenses to remove waste oils from our Fleet Operations processes are
budgeted at $31,200. Both of these expenses are currently included in our divisional operating
budgets.
CONCLUSION:
The Operations and Fleet Divisions have been very diligent in ensuring that material handling
and waste disposal practices are adhered to by current Ministry regulations. Past disposal
methods have been improved upon and current strict regulations ensure disposals minimize any
future environmental impacts.
Ken Currier
Director of Operations
AP