Environmental Engineering Services

Our clients are our number one priority at PRI Engineering. We offer a range of environmental engineering services that minimize and manage your project risk and build sustainable operations. To each project, we bring knowledge of best practices and extensive experience across Canada and the U.S. to develop solutions that fit your project’s requirements.

We support your environmental challenges with the following services:

Contact us about your Geotechnical service questions

Environmental Site Assessments

What is an Environmental Site Assessment?

The Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is crucial in determining the environmental condition of your site. Separated into phases, the Environmental Site Assessment includes extensive research of the project site and on-site analysis of the land. With our research and recommendations in hand, you will be well-equipped to make informed decisions.

Phases of an Environmental Site Assessment:

  • Phase I ESA: In Phase I, we conduct thorough research of the site’s history and current usage to identify possible or likely contamination and to determine if there is a need for a Phase II assessment. Our team conducts a review of relevant records, interviews, and site reconnaissance and then evaluates the information gathered.
  • Phase II ESA: If Phase I reveals any potentially contaminating activity, we will then test the site to confirm the location and concentration. The site condition will then determine if you will need to remediate the site in Phase III.

Soil Management Plan Development

Our experienced team of professional engineers and technologists understand the challenges faced by our clients and can help you create a cost-effective and sustainable Soil Management Plan.

What is a soil management plan?

Soil Management Plans provide clarity for contractors and developers on soil classifications, appropriate soil reuse, and reducing the environmental footprint. Managing your excess soil may require significant time and effort, so it needs to be a part of planning every project right from the start.

  • Assessing project area for potential contamination of soil activity and uses
  • Sampling and analysis of soil with a soil characterization report
  • Identification of compatible reuse site categories.
  • Onsite oversight and administration of soil management plan

Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plans

Soil erosion and sediment runoff can seriously damage watercourses, clouding the water, blocking sunlight, or spreading pollutants. PRI’s team of engineers and technologists are well-situated to assess the risk on your site and provide recommendations to implement appropriate control measures.

What are the components of a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan?

The purpose of a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan is to provide strategies and measures that will support the prevention or mitigation of erosion during the construction of the project.

  • Desktop evaluation of the topography and soil
  • On-site surveys and soil sampling as necessary to develop confirmation of existing conditions and identification of potentially highly erodible areas
  • Recommending general and specific erosion control mitigation measures
  • Onsite oversight and administration of soil erosion and sediment control plans

Mitigating Risk with Hydrogeological Investigations

At PRI Engineering, we have the in-house expertise to understand the complexity of groundwater systems and provide recommendations on construction dewatering projects or for other hydrogeological studies.

What does a dewatering management plan include?

A dewatering management plan mitigates the risk of and cost of excessive water on-site during construction while minimizing the environmental impact of activities.

  • Preliminary desktop review of topography and studies of the groundwater tables
  • On-site analysis of groundwater flow and soil using in-situ testing methods such as falling/rising head test, permeameter testing or packer testing
  • Recommendations for dewatering during construction and ongoing groundwater control
  • Development of supporting documents and completion of hydrogeological study for support of Permit to Take Water (PTTW) submission
  • Onsite oversight and administration of soil erosion and sediment control plans

Environmental Engineering Articles

November 17, 2022 in Canada, Civil Geotechnical, Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Podcast Episode, Podcasts

It’s Soil, Not Dirt: Podcast S1:E4
Hydrogeology P1 with Mike Francis, P.Geo

Mike Francis, P.Geo, Project Manager at GEMS joins Arash Yazdani, the Director of Engineering at PRI Engineering and Erick Thurston, also from PRI to speak about hydrogeology. This first episode…
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January 14, 2021 in Articles, Canada, Construction Inspection, Environmental Engineering, Laboratory Testing, Material Testing, Regulations

Excess Soil Disposal: How to Prepare for Ontario Regulation 406/19

Starting January 1, 2021, new regulations for excess soil management comes into effect, Ontario Regulation 406/19. If you haven’t prepared your company with new excess soil management protocols, then, you…
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March 4, 2021 in Articles, Civil Geotechnical, Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Solar Foundation Design, Technology

New Drilling Technology From Alberta

The attraction of one solution for everything is undeniable and crops up in pretty much every sector or field. For the outdoors, we have the swiss army knife. In everyday…
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Common questions on Environmental Engineering

We’ve provided some of the most common answers to your questions on Environmental Engineering Services below. If you don’t find your answer below or have further questions, please reach out to us at (705) 702-3921 or email us.

What should an environmental engineering report include?

We support our clients with the type of environmental engineering report they need to mitigate risk and the environmental impacts. We specialize in groundwater investigations, soil erosion and control plans, soil management plans, and environmental impact assessments. Ask us to recommend the report your site will need.

How long does an environmental engineering report take?

We let the requirements of the project determine the extent and time of reporting. For a smaller project, the time it takes to complete the report is relatively short. For ongoing projects, the report may need to last the length of construction. When assessing your needs, we give you a timeframe of when to expect the report.

What are the environmental geotechnics impact factors?

Environmental geotechnics factors in the impact of various forms of waste, recommends steps to remediate soil and groundwater, install containment systems for controlling contaminant migrations, and consider the construction requirements.

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