Professional Reports
YOU MUST REVIEW EVERY REPORT prior to submitting to any government agency. An expensive report does NOT mean it is a good report. A report that takes a long time to get back does NOT mean that it took a long time to prepare. A very long report does NOT mean that it has a lot of useful content. Here are some tips to ensure the best value for money:
Drinking Water Quality
I personally encourage anyone on a private water system, especially shallow wells, to have a full suite analysis done at least once every 3-5 years, and bacteriological at least annually (after freshet). Sampling can be done privately (we recommend ALS Laboratories in Fort St. John), or we are happy to take care of everything for you! NOTE: Bacteriological samples MUST be submitted to the lab within 30 hours.
Spills and Contaminated Soil
Spills and leaks happen on every jobsite. Minimize the risk by ensuring you have a good spill response plan that addresses relevant spill scenarios - to soil, pavement, standing water, flowing water, ditchlines, etc. Review the plan, as well as location and content of your spill kits, with your crew during the startup meeting, and on a regular basis for the duration of the project.
Key steps in spill response (and table of contents for a Spill Response Plan):
1) Make the area safe
2) Stop the flow (when possible)
3) Secure the area
4) Contain the spill
5) Report
6) Clean-up
Environmental Monitors (or designated environmental manager) should document all spills on a Spill Report Form (example), and cleanup should occur as soon as possible. Waste service providers are an excellent option for dealing with contaminated soils - they will provide a designated bin for soil, and will remove the filled bin for proper soil management and disposal. There is a fee for this service, of course, but the convenience factor is high! Northern BC is serviced by GFL Environmental.
YOU MUST REVIEW EVERY REPORT prior to submitting to any government agency. An expensive report does NOT mean it is a good report. A report that takes a long time to get back does NOT mean that it took a long time to prepare. A very long report does NOT mean that it has a lot of useful content. Here are some tips to ensure the best value for money:
- Request weekly updates during report preparation, or set a strict due date that leaves plenty of room for YOUR review prior to your 'real' deadline.
- Schedule a call/meeting prior to the report due date and/or make yourself/project team available to answer any questions.
- When you receive the report, it should be considered a draft. Even if it is signed/stamped, if YOU have not approved it yet, it is not finalized.
- Appreciate professionalism - do not try to alter a professional's assessment. Request clarification, provide additional information which you think may impact the report, or seek a second opinion if you still disagree.
- Review the report (in detail) for all occurrences of the word 'will', and ensure that you agree with all of them.
- Do not accept any report that has been prepared for permitting purposes that includes the words 'shall' or 'is recommended' or 'should'. These statements indicate that the author has NOT consulted with you (the client) on these issues, and leaves you (the owner) 100% liable for upholding these statements come permitting/enforcement time. The only word appropriate for permitting reports is 'will'. The report should outline what you WILL do, and how/when/where you WILL do it.
Drinking Water Quality
I personally encourage anyone on a private water system, especially shallow wells, to have a full suite analysis done at least once every 3-5 years, and bacteriological at least annually (after freshet). Sampling can be done privately (we recommend ALS Laboratories in Fort St. John), or we are happy to take care of everything for you! NOTE: Bacteriological samples MUST be submitted to the lab within 30 hours.
Spills and Contaminated Soil
Spills and leaks happen on every jobsite. Minimize the risk by ensuring you have a good spill response plan that addresses relevant spill scenarios - to soil, pavement, standing water, flowing water, ditchlines, etc. Review the plan, as well as location and content of your spill kits, with your crew during the startup meeting, and on a regular basis for the duration of the project.
Key steps in spill response (and table of contents for a Spill Response Plan):
1) Make the area safe
2) Stop the flow (when possible)
3) Secure the area
4) Contain the spill
5) Report
6) Clean-up
Environmental Monitors (or designated environmental manager) should document all spills on a Spill Report Form (example), and cleanup should occur as soon as possible. Waste service providers are an excellent option for dealing with contaminated soils - they will provide a designated bin for soil, and will remove the filled bin for proper soil management and disposal. There is a fee for this service, of course, but the convenience factor is high! Northern BC is serviced by GFL Environmental.