
Plate 4. MEK Hydrogeologist overseeing the follow-up intrusive sampling that was carried out as part of a Stage 2 Detailed Site Investigations at the Oil and Gas facility in British Columbia, Canada
Our Stage II PSIs and Detailed Environmental Site Investigations will usually entail the drilling of boreholes and construction of monitoring wells to determine the environmental quality of the surficial soil formation and shallow groundwater using hydrovac machines and drilling rigs (Plates 3 and 4). Initially the hydrovac machine is used to remove soils within the shallow horizon and thereby exposing the locations of utility lines within the area of investigation. Once these utility lines are exposed, borehole drilling is then advanced using a drilling rig. The hydrovacing ensures that utilities lines are not damaged during the intrusive sampling MEK staff have designed and constructed many groundwater monitoring networks and have planned and executed several monthly, quarterly and semi-annual groundwater monitoring sessions to determine groundwater quality, flow pattern and the long-term trends or changes in the groundwater quality at brownfield sites. (Plate 5).

Plate 5. A nested pair of monitoring wells under development prior to sampling for laboratory analysis
We have also developed (from our Stage II PSI and Detailed Site Investigations) several two- and three-dimensional groundwater flow models and “fence” diagrams that have enabled us to have in-depth understanding of the subsurface stratigraphy and interpreted the groundwater flow pattern at our facilities of interest (Plates 4 and 5). These understanding have been very invaluable in modeling contaminant transport and fate on our projects and also in developing comprehensive remedial action plans.
We Detailed Site Investigations) several two- and three-dimensional groundwater flow models and “fence” diagrams that have enabled us to have in-depth understanding of the subsurface stratigraphic sequence l and interpret the groundwater flow pattern at our facilities of interest (Plates 6 and 7). These understanding have be very invaluable in modeling contaminant transport and fate on our projects and also in developing comprehensive remedial action plans.