BCER issues ‘legacy contamination’ investigation order for Taylor site

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The BC Energy Regulator (BCER) is ordering NorthRiver Midstream to investigate possible “legacy contamination” at a site near Taylor. 

According to a July 21 press release, NorthRiver Midstream has been ordered by the BCER to assess “legacy contamination” at the McMahon facility near Taylor. 

In the release, Madison Jenneson, the BCER executive director of compliance and enforcement, explained the order was issued due to concerns about “known or suspected contamination” in the Flare Pits area.

“Historical and current activities together with known or suspected contamination within the Flare Pits area raise concerns regarding the migration of petroleum hydrocarbons and related substances,” Jenneson said in the order. 

“Additional investigation is required to determine whether contaminants have migrated, or may be migrating, from the Flare Pits area toward the Weir Area.”

The BCER assumed regulatory responsibility for the Taylor facility in 2021, and Jenneson stated the July 21 order was the “latest step” in the regulator’s “robust oversight of the McMahon site.” 

Jenneson also explained the site’s existing monitoring network does not provide “sufficient data to adequately characterize the groundwater flow conditions, hydraulic gradients and potential contaminant migration pathways” between areas of the site. 

The specifics of the work the BCER is ordering NorthRiver Midstream to complete are as follows:

• Complete seven hydrovac boreholes and complete one drilled borehole as a monitoring well at BCER-specified locations by a qualified professional or under the direct supervision of a qualified professional,
• Install five nested monitoring wells in pairs, each consisting of a shallow and deep well, located at 60m east of the Flare Pits towards the Weir Area, consistent with BCER-specified locations,
• Analyze all soil and groundwater samples collected during the investigation for the following potential contaminants of concern and compare with the applicable provincial contaminated site regulation standards

The work must be completed by Oct. 31, with a detailed investigation report being submitted to the BCER by Dec. 31. Said report must include an executive summary, site background, investigation purpose, applicable standards, field methods, logs, design, soil and groundwater quality tables, results, discussions and conclusions. 

“Once submitted, the materials will be reviewed by BCER technical staff to inform next steps towards ensuring the site meets regulatory standards regarding the protection of public safety and the environment,” the release noted. 

NorthRiver Midstream can submit a request to review or appeal the order. 

To read the BCER’s July 21 order, see below.