Phase II or Phase Two
Environmental Site Assessment?
A Phase II or Phase Two ESA is an intrusive study in which soils and groundwater samples are tested.
In Ontario Phase 2 ESAs are generally conducted in accordance with one of two protocols, notably the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Z-769/00 guidelines) for Phase II ESAs, and Ontario Regulation 153/04 (O.Reg.) for Phase Two ESAs, depending on the purpose.
Phase II ESA:
CSA Standard
CSA Z-769/00
Due-Diligence
Pre-Purchase Condition
Financing or Refinancing
Property Purchase/Sale
Property Insurance Condition
Phase II Project Scope
Public & Private Locates
Identification of Applicable Site Condition Standards
- Borehole Drilling
- Monitoring Well Installation
- Test Pits
- Samples Screening and Selection
- Laboratory Testing
- Data Analysis
Phase Two ESA:
O.Reg Standard
O.Reg. 153/04
Record of Site Condition
(RSC) required for change to more sensitive land use
Town/City Planning Departments
(for re-zoning, site plan control and/or building permit)
Phase Two Project Scope
Public & Private Locates
Preparation of Sampling & Analyses Plan
Identification of Applicable Site Condition Standards
- Soil / Groundwater / Sediment Sampling
- Chemical Laboratory Analyses
- Remediation (if required)
- Preparation of Report
- Regulatory Approval
- Borehole Drilling
- Monitoring Well Installation
- Test Pits
- Samples Screening and Selection
- Laboratory Testing
- Data Analysis
Following successful completion of a Phase Two ESA and any required remediation, a Record of Site Condition (RSC) can be filed with the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change (MOECC) for inclusion into the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry.
