esa project-pr

REPORT ON THE PHASE 1 ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT OF THE

WINE VISITOR & EDUCATION CENTER AND VINEYARDS

Patrice Russell

Student no: 4204980

Environmental Management & Assessment

Niagara College

Executive Summary

The Wine Visitor and Education Center (WVEC) has employed the services of Patrice Russell to perform a phase

one environmental site assessment (ESA) on the WVEC and surrounding vineyards. The property is located at

135 Taylor Road, just a short distance southeast of the Taylor Road and Glendale Ave. The phase 1 ESA was

conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the CSA z-768 which includes a thorough records review of

historical documents, title search and any available company records. It also includes a site reconnaissance visit

of the WVEC and surrounding vineyards and interviews with two members of staff.

The site based on aerial photographs has always been used for agriculture, however the surrounding uses based on

previous reports and the title search documents have varied somewhat from a possible hydro power facility to a

racetrack establishment and then eventually acquired by the school. There were also two lagoons constructed for

the purposes of treating sewage from the racetrack establishment which can still currently be found just behind

the vineyards.

There are a few potential sources of contamination identified in this report, based on the fact that the land has

been used for agriculture for centuries would suggest that there may be a serious accumulation of pesticides and

fertilizers in the soil. The fact that the lagoons still show distinct signs of eutrophication or algal blooms suggests

that high levels of pollution may still exist in these water bodies and that waste is still being dumped there. Lastly

the fact that some of the waste and chemicals used are washed down the drains are another area of concern.

The purpose of the phase one ESA was to determine the existence of potential or actual contamination on the site.

More detailed research and analysis may be required to confirm or delineate any contamination or to determine

that the site is “clean”. This report gives an overview of any potentially contaminating activities and any areas of

potential concern on or surrounding the site.

1.0 Introduction

The Wine Visitor & Education Center was established in 2009 and is considered to be a unique and state of the art

facility. This facility was designed to teach students about viticulture and to enhance viticultural practices through

science and technology. It also houses a beautiful showroom where wines and other products may be purchased

which is truly a celebration of Ontario and Canadian wines. The WVEC is a sustainable facility which practices

energy efficiency, composting and recycling and has also been certified as Carbon-Neutral by the Canadian

Standards Association’s Canadian Clean Projects Registry.

1.1 Objectives

The objective of this project is to conduct a Phase 1 ESA on the Wine Visitor & Education Centre (WVEC) and

the adjacent vineyards which is located on the Niagara College campus at 135 Taylor Road. The property/site is

located a few hundred metres south of the intersection of Taylor road and Glendale avenue. The phase 1 ESA will

seek to determine if in fact there are any existing and potential sources of contamination through various methods

of research and assessment. Also a report will be generated detailing the findings of the assessment.

1.2 Scope of Work

The scope of the project will include:

Records review which includes a review of aerial photographs, topography maps, soil maps, geological

maps, available company records and publicly available city directories.

Site reconnaissance visit

Interview with two staff members

Evaluation of Information

1.3 Regulatory Framework

The ESA Phase 1 assessment will follow the guidelines set out in CSA Z-768.

2.0 Site Description

The WVEC is set amongst 40 acres of vineyards. The structure consists of a two levels. The lower level

contains a laboratory and production area where the process of making wine occurs. There is also a small class

room and an office located on this level. The main floor is the showroom and store where all wine products are

sold, there is also a small outdoor patio area with a breathtaking view of the vineyards. The approximately 40

acres of teaching vineyards are located behind the winery at the base of the Niagara escarpment.

2.1 Historical Land Use

Based on the information obtained through records review and aerial photographs (see Appendix A & G), it can

be determined that the site has been used for agricultural purposes. The aerial photograph dated 1934 clearly

shows the vineyards on the site several decades before being purchased by the school and was possibly

previously owned by Stone Church Winery.

3.0 Records Review

3.1 Aerial Photographs

Aerial photographs Year taken Description of photographs Source obtained

Appendix- A1 1934 Map shows vineyards, no existing

structures.

Google earth


structures

Google earth


structures

Google earth


structures.

Google Earth


structures

Google Earth

Appendix- A6 2009 Map shows vineyards and some structure

on site.

Google Earth

Appendix- A7 2012 Map shows vineyards and the completed

structure

Google Earth

Appendix- A8 2015 Map shows vineyards, also shows the

completed structure

Google Earth

3.2 Title Search and Assessment Rolls

The title search obtained is not specific to the site but shows the title history of the entire property 135 Taylor

Road. The property 135 Taylor Road was first formally owned in 1953/12/22 by the Hydro Electric Power

Commission of Ontario, one can assume that there may have been electrical power equipment and lines at this

point. The property was then transferred to the Corporation of the Township of Niagara in 07/28/1964. At this

point in time there were various activities taking place on the site, such as a racetrack establishment (Garden

City Racetrack) and also the lagoons were constructed to collect and treat sewage from the racetrack company.

The property was transferred to the Regional Municipality of Niagara in 1969/12/31 and was later transferred

back to the Corporation of the Township of Niagara in 1989/11/08. In 1993 the property, or some part thereof

was acquired by Niagara College of Applied Arts & Technology for a cost of $1500. Further acquisitions were

made by Niagara College in 2002, 2004 & 2005.

3.3 Prior ESA Phase 1 Reports

No prior Phase 1 ESA reports were obtained for the specific site. However a Phase 1 Report was obtained on

the lagoons which are in close proximity to the site (listed in references). This report provided evidence of

possible neighbouring contamination activities at 135 Taylor Road which were helpful in generating a report.

3.4 Company Records

Site building plans were obtained from the Facilities Management Department for the Wine Visitor &

Education Center which was very useful in understanding the layout of the facility.

Emergency spill plans from the office at the site was obtained, this outlined their emergency spill

procedures, which was useful in helping to understand how dangerous chemical spills are cleaned.

The MSDS records were obtained from the laboratory at the site which listed all the chemicals used in

the facility and useful information and handling procedures for each of them.

3.5 Environmental Reports

An energy audit, tree inventory and sustainability report on WVEC was obtained from the Office of

Sustainability. This tree inventory showed over 200 species of trees on the property many of which are endemic

to the area. This was useful in understanding how ecologically important and sensitive the area is and how any

contamination on the WVEC could affect their habitats. The energy audit which was conducted in October 2015

shows the WVEC total annual energy consumption to be about 8947 kwh/yr. The sustainability report focused

on the energy efficiency of the WVEC through the use of window film technology.

4.0 Site Reconnaissance Checklist

Date: 16/10/2015 Time: 10:30 am Weather Conditions: Overcast, light rain

Time on site (hours): 2 hours Is facility operational? (Y/N) Name(s): Patrice Russell

Exterior Location Description

Limitations

Winery was not

operational at the time,

so the wine making

process was not

observed.

The weather was

overcast with light rain,

may have washed away

outside soil stains

Photographs of the property

and surrounding properties:

include description and

relevant PCA; APEC

Many pictures of vineyards, wine center &

education center were taken

Confirmation of property

land use and immediate

surrounding land use;

relevant site features;

drainage; etc

Land is used for agriculture (grapes),

surrounding features and buildings include:

Lagoons, Niagara escarpment, brewery,

greenhouse, Niagara on the Green

community

Topographic, geologic and

hydrogeological conditions

Extensive forests and lagoons located just

behind the vineyards, vineyards are at the

base of a high slope (Niagara escarpment)

Areas of Natural

Significance

Niagara escarpment This is a protected area which runs through

the Niagara region with lots of biodiversity

(flora and fauna).

Unidentified Substances

Laboratory A few bottles without adequate labels in

laboratory area.

Odours

Lower level Strong odour of sour grapes and acids.

Potable water supply

Water pipes running along walls Water pipes were visible running through

the lower level of the building

Special attention items

PCBs, Asbestos, Lead,

Ozone depleting, radon,

mould, noise, electric,

magnetic fields.

Tanks, equipment. Traces of mould below storage tanks,

electrical equipment though out plant with

lots of water on the floors (possible

electrical hazards), a lot of equipment that

could possible leak VOCs, a lot of

equipment with gauges (potential to leak

mercury)

EXTERIOR

OBSERVATIONS-

VINEYARDS

Subsurface features present

Located in the vineyards Large pipe sticking out of the earth in the

vineyard for irrigation system.

Storage tank/containers

above or below ground:

Age, size

Outside Several large storage containers outside,

wine barrels inside and outside (See

Appendix F for pictures)

Stained soil, vegetation,

pavement

Minor stains outside Grape seeds, pulp and juice stains

Stressed vegetation

None visible None visible

Areas of Fill/debris

None observed None observed

PCA/APEC?

Equipment, waste water

(effluent)

Effluent from wine making process being

washed into floor drains, chemical spills

being washed into floor drains,

Refrigeration equipment leaking VOCs.

Effluent from wine making process gets

washed down drains.

Previous excavations/ soil

removal

Vineyards Excavated areas in the vineyards for

planting of grapes

Hazardous Material

Laboratory Many potentially hazardous chemicals

used these include: copper sulphate

pentahydrate, sulphuric acid and

phosphoric acid.

Observation of

adjoining/close properties

On-campus, across the street Buildings within close proximity include:

brewery, greenhouse, campus main

building, residence hall, community across

the street

Wells

No wells observed

Waste water Waste water produced from wine making

process and some effluent is washed down

into floor vents and into sewer system

Watercourse, ditches or

standing water

Floor vents Used to carry away waste water and

effluent from tanks

Roads, parking facilities and

rights of way

Parking to the front and east of

the facility

INTERIOR

OBSERVATIONS-

WINERY

Exit/entry points

Lower floor, main floor Has 2 exits on the lower floor, 2 exits on

the main floor

Heating & Cooling systems:

Type and fuel source

Along the walls Visible exhaust fans in the walls, also large

ventilation pipe behind tanks.

Drains, pits, sumps

Floor drains located throughout

the plant

Used to carry away wastewater from

washing of tanks and other equipment.

Mechanical equipment

Various equipment inside and

outside of site.

Equipment includes: tanks, refrigerators,

barrel machine

Stains or corrosion on

floors; not water; from a

discharge point

Various stains under tanks on

the lower level floor.

Stains are from juice pulp and possibly

minor chemical spills

Pipes Along the walls 3 main pipes observed running along upper

wall region, these pipes are used for water,

glycol and gas

Interview with Gavin Robertson, Winemaker

1. What year was thee Wine Visitor and Education Center first opened?

It was opened in 2009

2. Are there any chemicals used in the wine making process? Are any potentially hazardous?

Yes, there are many chemicals used in the process, some are potentially hazardous, they are all listed in

the MSDS booklet with instructions for use.

3. Do you use pesticides on the vineyards? If yes, what kind?

Yes we do use pesticides. We use the services of an outside company for spraying pesticides, so I’m not

sure of the specific names.

4. Have there been any odour problems on the site or from the surrounding lands?

None to speak of, no

5. When was the WVEC opened?

It was opened in 2009

6. Do you know who the previous owners were?

I think it may have been Stone Church.

7. Are there any underground storage tanks at the WVEC?

No, they are none

8. Has there been any issues of spills or regulatory compliance issues?

9. Any evidence of contamination from neighbouring properties?

10. Has any waste been dumped on the property, or fill from unknown sources?

Interview with Ryan Monkman, Cellar Hand

1. Is there waste generated from the wine making process?

Yes there is about 30% waste generated from the wine making process in the form of skins and seeds.

Most of this waste is composted on campus to be re-used as fertilizer.

2. Are there any type of waste that gets washed down the drain?

In racking the wine (moving from one tank to the other), the sediment that settles as the bottom which

contains mostly yeast and juice pulp often does get washed down the drain. Also cleaning chemicals that

are used to wash the tanks and other equipment does get washed down the drain.

3. What are the different pipes running across the walls of the lower level floor?

The yellow pipe is gas, the white pipe is water and the black insulated pipe is glycol

4. Are there any fuel storage tanks? What are they used for?

Diesel, propane and gasoline is used and stored on the property. Gasoline is used for the vehicles, diesel

is used for the diesel powered dish washer and trucks to get around the vineyards, propane fuels used for

various equipment.

Appendix- aerial photographs

Appendix A1- satellite image from 10/1934



Appendix A6- satellite image 07/2009


Appendix A8- satellite image 10-2015

Appendix B- Topography map

Appendix B2- soil map

Appendix B1.2 – Legend for soil map

Appendix C- Title Search

Appendix C2 – Title Search

Appendix E – Site building plan

Appendix E2 – Building plan-main floor

Appendix E3- building plans for lower floor

Appendix Tree inventory

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