The removal and off-site disposal of burned building debris and contaminated soil from Lytton are underway by the Village’s contractor, Matcon.
After all debris and known contaminated soil has been removed, further soil samples, groundwater and soil vapour samples will be analyzed to verify that all contaminated media has been removed with no risks to human health or the environment remain prior to property redevelopment.
The testing work is being undertaken by the Villages environmental consultant IBI Group.
Preliminary test results have shown that contaminant concentrations in building debris and soil samples exceed environmental standards on all assessed properties in the Village. The most common contaminants include metals (such as arsenic, copper, lead and zinc), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) and chloride. Some metal concentrations exceeded hazardous waste classification standards and will be segregated and disposed of with great care at a suitably authorized receiving facility.
Matcon and IBI Group are also working with the Lytton First Nation to restore properties on adjacent lands that were destroyed during the same wildfire.
