Cleanup of soil, groundwater contamination planned at former Kitchener bus terminal
The Region of Waterloo is set to begin the process of environmental remediation at the former Charles Street bus terminal in Kitchener.
Councillors signed off on a recommendation from staff to move ahead with a risk assessment at a Planning and Works Committee meeting on Tuesday morning.
It comes after an engineering consulting firm found concerns in both the soil and groundwater at the site.
The former terminal at 15 Charles Street West is in the early stages of being redeveloped as a community hub.
“I think there’s great anticipation in the community about this project,” Coun. Jim Erb told the meeting Tuesday. “And the sooner we can move it along, it just satisfies a whole range of opportunities for us.”
A risk assessment is a scientific study that outlines the possible dangers to humans, animals and the environment from exposure to a contaminant.
Staff say the results of the assessment are not expected to put significant restrictions on redevelopment, but could include a health and safety plan for construction workers, considerations for how contaminated materials would be removed and stored, or restrictions on putting residential units or a daycare on the first floor of a future building.
A community-wide survey in 2021 determined the redevelopment’s main priorities would be affordable housing, climate action, equity, diversity and inclusion, and a thriving economy.
In 2022, MTE Consultants Inc. completed an environmental and geotechnical analysis of the site as part of the redevelopment process.
The analysis found shallow soil contamination from lead and hydrocarbons and deeper soil contamination from waste from past demolition of buildings. It also found road salt impacts throughout the soil and groundwater contamination from chlorinated solvents, metals and acid/base/neutrals compounds.
The risk assessment approved Tuesday will be the first step towards environmental remediation at the site.
A working group has been set up to allow the region and City of Kitchener staff to work together on the project.
The third and fourth phases of community engagement are expected to continue over the coming months as stakeholder groups are identified and design workshops are held.
The decision to move ahead with the risk assessment is expected to receive final approval at the next regular regional council meeting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.