When construction or remediation projects uncover contaminated soil in British Columbia, it cannot simply be trucked to a regular landfill. The BC Contaminated Sites Regulation and Environmental Management Act impose strict requirements on how contaminated soil is characterized, transported and disposed of.

Step 1: Characterize the Soil

Before any contaminated soil leaves your site, it must be tested by an accredited laboratory. The sampling protocol depends on the volume of soil and the suspected contaminants, but at minimum you need:

  • One composite sample per 100 cubic metres of soil
  • Analysis for the parameters of concern (hydrocarbons, metals, PAHs, etc.)
  • Results compared against CSR Schedule 4 and Schedule 7 standards

Step 2: Classify and Match to a Facility

Contaminated soil is classified by concentration levels:

  • Below CSR standards - can be reused on site or relocated with a Soil Relocation Agreement
  • Above CSR but below hazardous waste thresholds - must go to an approved contaminated soil treatment or disposal facility
  • Hazardous waste - requires a hazardous waste manifest and disposal at a permitted hazardous waste facility

Approved Disposal Facilities in the Lower Mainland

Major contaminated soil receiving facilities in the Metro Vancouver area include:

  • Enviro-Vac soil treatment facility (Surrey)
  • Tervita (various locations)
  • Progressive Solutions (Langley)
  • Various permitted landfills with contaminated soil cells

Disposal costs range from $60-$200+ per tonne depending on contamination type and concentration. Highly contaminated or hazardous soil can exceed $300/tonne.

Step 3: Chain of Custody Documentation

Every load of contaminated soil must be tracked with:

  • Waste manifest or soil relocation agreement
  • Lab analytical results
  • Truck weigh tickets
  • Receiving facility confirmation

This documentation chain must be maintained for regulatory review. Missing a link in the chain can result in fines and liability for improper disposal.

Need Help Managing Contaminated Soil?

North Van Environmental provides full contaminated soil management services - from initial characterization through disposal coordination and regulatory documentation. We handle the complexity so your project stays on schedule.

Contact us for soil management support.