Three-dimensional Groundwater Model of the City of Vancouver Burns Bog Landfill
Earthfx hydrogeologists developed a groundwater model of the Vancouver Landfill in 1995 and refined the model in 2000. Earthfx, in partnership with Sperling-Hansen Associates, further refined the model and updated the site database in 2008.
The study was conducted to investigate the potential for leachate mounding causing discharge to land surface, and to evaluate the potential for leachate migration off site. The impact assessment was divided into two areas: on-site manifestations of leachate generation and off-site impacts.
Simulation of Low-Level Radioactive Waste Contamination, Port Hope, ON
During the mid-1940’s to mid-1950’s, low-level radioactive wastes (primarily radium and uranium) were deposited beneath and mixed in with other wastes in a municipal landfill in Port Hope, Ontario. To address this problem a predictive groundwater flow and contaminant transport model was developed for the area surrounding the former landfill site. The model was used to simulate steady-state groundwater flow in the multi-aquifer system underlying the site and to predict offsite contaminant migration. The model was also used to evaluate various remedial alternatives and to provide direction for further field investigations.
Aquifer Vulnerability Mapping for the Lake Erie Source Protection Region
Earthfx Incorporated conducted a groundwater vulnerability study for the Lake Erie Source Protection Region covering Norfolk and Brant counties, the Catfish Creek and Kettle Creek watersheds, and the entire GRCA. The objective was to develop and apply a consistent and defensible methodology to determine aquifer vulnerability across the diverse study area.
Simulation of Groundwater Flow and TCE Contaminant Transport in the Vicinity of the Pauzé Landfill, Perkinsfield, ON
The Eric Pauzé Landfill site (Figure 1) is located in Tiny Township, Simcoe County approximately six kilometres south-west of the Town of Midland. The site was a former sand pit and was operated as a landfill from 1966 to 1984. During this time, the landfill site received solid and liquid industrial wastes and sewage sludge. The waste was disposed in on-site pits and a sewage lagoon as well as in the landfill. The liquid industrial wastes were known to include used organic solvents (including TCE), waste petroleum products, and paints.
Data Analysis and Simulation of TCE and PCB Waste Dumping at the Smithville Phase 4 Bedrock Remediation Site
During the late 1970s and early 1980s wastes and solvents, including TCE and PCBs, were stored at the Chemical Waste Management Ltd. (CWML) site in Smithville Ontario. Poor management practices resulted in contaminant spills and the development of a groundwater plume that impacted the municipal water supply. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) assumed management of the site and undertook a four-phase program to remediate both the site and underlying soil, bedrock and groundwater systems. Earthfx was retained to design and populate the site database, perform geostatistical analysis of plume extents, and undertake numerical simulation of the groundwater system.
Simulation of TCE, PCE and BTEX Contamination at a USEPA Superfund Site, St. Thomas, USVI
In response to rising levels of TCE, PCE and BTEX in the water supply the USEPA shut down all production wells in the largest groundwater basin on the island of St. Thomas, USVI. The chemicals originated from multiple sources including dry cleaners (TCE and PCE), gasoline stations (BTEX), and other industrial and commercial sources (other VOCs). Withdrawals from the aquifer were estimated to range between 500,000 to 1,000,000 gallons per day.
Contaminant Migration from Landfills affected by Quarry Dewatering, Eastern Ontario
Groundwater simulations were undertaken to predict the movement of contaminants from two landfills situated near a sand and gravel quarry. When the landfills were originally designed and constructed, quarry operations were limited to shallow sand and gravel deposits, isolated from a deeper aquifer by a confining clay layer. Upwards groundwater flow conditions existed beneath the landfills under the original landfill design conditions. Approximately 10 years after the start of landfill operations, the quarry operator excavated through the confining unit, causing the potentiometric head in the aquifer to drop by over 6 m (20 ft). Downward flow conditions were induced beneath the landfills as a result of the dewatering. To obtain a new certificate of approval for the continued operation of the landfill, detailed investigation, monitoring and predictive modelling of potential contaminant impacts were conducted.