Environmental Site Assessment
Sometimes, even before a well is decommissioned, we review information available in government records, visit the site and interview the landowner and/or occupant. Many sites will have no contamination concerns and will proceed directly to the reclamation stage.
Soil samples that can indicate surface, subsurface or potential groundwater contamination may be collected by hand or with a small rig. In some situations, an electromagnetic survey may be conducted to understand conditions without the need to take samples.
Remediation
If soil or groundwater samples indicate contamination is present, the site is remediated to meet regulated standards. Contaminated soil may be hauled to a landfill and then replaced with clean soil or may be treated onsite until it meets Alberta Environment and Protected Areas guidelines.
Reclamation and Monitoring
Reclamation of the land and access roads may involve recontouring the subsoil, replacing the topsoil and re-establishing the vegetation. The site is monitored to ensure reclamation is successful and the land is returned similar to its original state.
It may take up to five years or more for the site to revegetate, depending on the land use, type of vegetation and factors that affect growing conditions, such as rainfall. Most of our environmental inventory is in this phase.
Reclamation Certificate Application
A detailed site assessment is required to apply for a reclamation certificate from the AER. Once a reclamation certificate is received, the site is considered closed. This land is now available for farming, pastureland, recreation or a growing community.
Since it takes years for a site to become suitable for a reclamation certificate application, the number of sites considered closed reflects reclamation work performed in the last several years. We expect to see significant growth in the number of reclamation certificates over the longer term as a result of previous years’ work.
Read our annual report for more detailed information about our performance reclaiming sites
