Environmental Projects
Flagship Digital Environmental Systems
Strengthening Rwanda’s Water Management Information System for Climate-Resilient Water Governance
MEK Earth & Environmental Inc. supported the strengthening of Rwanda’s water management information system through technical assistance focused on hydrological data systems, digital soil erosion control monitoring and inclusive capacity building. The project contributed to improved water resources decision-making, climate-resilient governance and community-level environmental monitoring in support of Rwanda Water Resources Board.
Citizen Soil Erosion Control (SEC) Monitoring Application Architecture:
Digital data flow from citizen soil erosion reports to administrative decision-making. The figure illustrates the architecture of the USSD-based Citizen Soil Erosion Control Monitoring Application developed under the Rwanda Water Management Information System initiative. It shows how erosion observations submitted by citizens through basic mobile phones are transmitted, processed, stored and visualised through a secure administrative dashboard for monitoring, verification and environmental decision-making.
Citizen Soil Erosion Control (SEC) Monitoring Application Administrative Dashboard:
Transforming citizen-generated erosion reports into actionable environmental intelligence. The dashboard provides government administrators and environmental managers with a centralised platform for reviewing soil erosion reports, tracking key performance indicators, analysing demographic and geographic patterns and supporting timely field verification and response planning.
Geospatial Water Resources Monitoring System for the Usangu Catchment, Tanzania
MEK Earth & Environmental Inc., as the lead firm and in consortium with Tanzanian partners, supported the Rufiji Basin Water Board in developing a Geospatial Water Resources Monitoring System for the Usangu Catchment under the World Bank-funded REGROW Project. The assignment involved the design of a web-based GIS platform, spatial and non-spatial database architecture, dashboard interfaces, remote sensing indices and analytical tools to support integrated water resources management, catchment monitoring and decision-making in a water-stressed basin.
WebGIS Portal Interface for the Usangu Geospatial Water Resources Monitoring System.
The figure shows the interactive WebGIS platform developed to support integrated water resources monitoring in the Usangu Catchment. The portal enables users to view, query and manage spatial water resources data through map layers, navigation tools, search functions and user-access controls, strengthening evidence-based catchment management for the Rufiji Basin Water Board.
Customised GWRMS Dashboard for Spatial Water Resources Analysis.
The figure illustrates the customised dashboard developed within the Geospatial Water Resources Monitoring System to support visual analysis, reporting and decision-making. By overlaying dashboard outputs on the map interface, the system allows water managers to interpret spatial and temporal patterns in water resources, catchment conditions and monitoring indicators within a single decision-support environment.
Environmental Monitoring and Data Analytics
We design and support environmental monitoring programmes for disturbed and operational sites, including mining, industrial and infrastructure settings where restoration, compliance and long-term environmental performance tracking are required.
Our services include monitoring of surface water, groundwater, seepage, soil conditions and broader environmental quality to support operational compliance, closure planning, reclamation performance verification and lender-facing reporting.
Groundwater Sampling from Nested Monitoring Wells at a Legacy Oil and Gas Site, Northeast British Columbia, Canada. A MEK environmental scientist conducting periodic groundwater sampling from a nested monitoring well installation at a legacy oil and gas monitoring site in northeast British Columbia, Canada. The sampling forms part of an ongoing groundwater monitoring programme in which groundwater samples are collected for laboratory analysis to assess subsurface water quality over time. The nested monitoring wells also support hydrogeological interpretation of vertical groundwater flow direction within the area under investigation, thereby improving understanding of contaminant migration pathways and site conditions.
Three-Dimensional Furan Distribution in the Shallow Subsurface at a petro-chemical site in Ontario, Canada. Three-dimensional plume slice generated in Hydro GeoAnalyst showing the distribution of furan within the shallow subsurface soil horizon at a contaminated site under investigation. The visualisation illustrates the spatial variability of contaminant concentration within the modelled domain, with the red zone representing the area of highest furan concentration and concentrations progressively decreasing outward through the yellow, green and blue zones. The blue areas indicate the lowest relative concentrations within the interpreted plume geometry. This type of subsurface visualisation supports contaminant delineation, conceptual site model refinement and the assessment of plume extent and migration behaviour for remediation planning and risk evaluation. However, it should be noted that a software-generated image like the above is an interpolated conceptual or analytical visualisation based on available sample data. It is useful for understanding likely contaminant distribution and should not be interpreted as an exact photograph of subsurface reality.
Contaminated Land Investigation and Hydrogeological Modelling
MEK Earth & Environmental Inc. undertakes contaminated land investigations and hydrogeological modelling to help clients understand the nature, extent and behaviour of subsurface contamination. Our work integrates intrusive field investigation, soil and groundwater sampling, contaminant delineation, site stratigraphy interpretation and groundwater flow analysis to support defensible environmental decision-making.
Through field observations, laboratory data and three-dimensional hydrogeological modelling, we assess contaminant pathways, groundwater conditions and potential receptor risks. These insights provide the technical foundation for risk assessment, remediation planning, regulatory reporting and long-term site management.
Contaminant Delineation Investigation at a Petrochemical Site. A MEK environmental technologist conducting intrusive investigation activities to assess the extent of subsurface contamination at a petrochemical site. The work involves exposing and examining impacted materials within the near-surface zone to identify contamination characteristics, support field observations, and guide sample collection for laboratory analysis. Such investigations are undertaken to delineate the lateral and vertical extent of contamination and to inform subsequent risk assessment, remediation planning and site management decisions.
Intercepted Petroleum-Impacted Soils During Phase II ESA Drilling program at a legacy oil and gas well drilling site in northeast British Columbia. Coarse-grained subsurface materials recovered during intrusive drilling at a commercial property as part of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment. The dark-stained soil horizons represent petroleum hydrocarbon-impacted fractions identified within the excavated profile, indicating contaminant occurrence within discrete subsurface layers. Such visual field evidence is used to support contamination delineation, targeted sampling and subsequent assessment of the vertical and lateral extent of impacted soils.
Three-Dimensional Groundwater Level Model Superimposed on Site Stratigraphy: Three-dimensional groundwater model developed by a MEK Consultant for a disturbed site underlain predominantly by fine-grained clay deposits in Ontario, Canada. The model illustrates groundwater levels in relation to the site stratigraphy and highlights the hydrogeological influence of a centrally excavated and backfilled zone composed of relatively unconsolidated materials. This disturbed infilled area functions as a localised recharge feature within the property, modifying groundwater distribution relative to the surrounding low-permeability clay matrix. The figure provides a conceptual and interpretive representation of groundwater behaviour across the site and should be viewed with the understanding that the vertical scale is exaggerated.
Three-dimensional shallow groundwater flow model developed by MEK consultants for a petrochemical processing facility, illustrating the interpreted groundwater surface, hydraulic gradients and inferred flow patterns across the site. The model highlights localised recharge and discharge zones and provides a visual framework for understanding subsurface flow dynamics, contaminant migration pathways and site hydrogeological conditions. This type of modelling supports groundwater assessment, risk evaluation and the design of effective monitoring and remediation strategies. Vertical scale exaggerated for visual clarity.
Environmental Site Assessments
MEK Earth & Environmental Inc. delivers integrated environmental services that support responsible project development, environmental due diligence, regulatory compliance, contamination assessment, remediation planning and long-term environmental stewardship.
Our environmental project experience is strengthened by a strong foundation in hydrogeology, environmental science, field investigation, data analysis and risk-based interpretation. This enables us to provide technically defensible site characterisation, practical monitoring designs and sound environmental management recommendations for complex sites and development settings.
MEK’s environmental project portfolio includes environmental site assessments, environmental and social impact studies, contaminated land and groundwater investigations, site risk assessment, remediation action planning, soil and water reclamation, environmental monitoring and compliance support. Our work also extends to environmental auditing, ESG-aligned reporting, digital environmental monitoring, GIS-based water resources systems and support for infrastructure, extractives, public-sector and donor-funded programmes.
Key Environmental Projects
Environmental site assessments
We undertake Phase I, Phase II and Phase III environmental site assessments to characterise environmental conditions and support land transactions, compliance requirements, site redevelopment and risk management.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment and Intercepted Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Impacted Soil Horizon at a Commercial Property in British Columbia, Canada.The photographs illustrate intrusive investigation works undertaken at a commercial property as part of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment. Image (a) shows subsurface drilling activities conducted to evaluate potential soil and groundwater contamination and to generate the data required for site characterisation, risk assessment and remedial planning. Image (b) shows a petroleum hydrocarbon-impacted soil horizon intercepted during drilling, with the annotated dark-stained interval providing visual evidence of subsurface contamination. Together, the images demonstrate how intrusive field investigation and direct soil profile observation are used to confirm contaminant presence, guide targeted sampling, delineate the vertical and lateral extent of impact, and support regulatory decision-making, risk evaluation and site remediation planning.
ESA Phase II Intrusive Soil and Groundwater Investigation at a Legacy Oil and Gas Site in northeast British Columbia, Canada. A MEK hydrogeologist supervising intrusive subsurface investigation activities at a legacy oil and gas site to assess the presence, nature and extent of soil and shallow groundwater contamination. The work involves advancing boreholes, logging subsurface lithology and stratigraphy at specified depth intervals and collecting soil samples for field screening, visual and olfactory inspection, and laboratory analysis by accredited laboratories. Groundwater samples obtained during the investigation were also submitted for laboratory testing to evaluate potential impacts to the shallow groundwater system. The results support the delineation of contaminated soil horizons and groundwater-affected zones within the area under investigation.
Hydrovac-Assisted Intrusive Environmental Investigation at a Legacy Oil and Gas Site at a legacy oil and gas site in northeast British Colombia. A MEK hydrogeologist overseeing intrusive investigation activities using hydrovac excavation at a legacy oil and gas site. Hydrovac methods are particularly well suited to environmental investigations in hydrocarbon field settings because they enable controlled, targeted, and relatively low-disturbance excavation around buried utilities, pipelines, and potentially contaminated ground. By using pressurised water to loosen subsurface materials and a vacuum system to recover the resulting slurry, the method improves utility exposure and daylighting, enhances safety, minimises unnecessary ground disturbance, and reduces the potential spread or mixing of impacted soils. This approach is especially valuable in congested operating environments, during shallow environmental investigations and test pitting, and under compacted or frozen ground conditions commonly encountered in western Canada.
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
MEK Earth & Environmental Inc. supports Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) processes for projects where environmental risks, water resources, land use, community impacts and long-term sustainability must be carefully assessed and managed.
Our ESIA work is grounded in a strong understanding of hydrogeology, environmental systems and community water-security issues. We help clients identify potential environmental and social risks, evaluate likely impacts, develop practical mitigation measures and prepare Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) inputs that support regulatory review, donor requirements and responsible project implementation.
This capability is particularly relevant for groundwater development, water supply, infrastructure, mining, agricultural development and climate resilience projects where environmental performance and community acceptance are critical to project success.
Environmental and Social Impact Studies in Eritrea. Existing wells in arid areas of Eritrea documented during MEK’s national-scale Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for large-scale groundwater resource development. Some of the field images show MEK ESIA staff conducting site observations and field verification as part of the assessment process. The study evaluated potential environmental and social impacts associated with expanded groundwater abstraction across the country and recommended mitigation measures to support sustainable groundwater development.
Remediation, Reclamation and Restoration
MEK Earth & Environmental Inc. supports contaminated site remediation, land reclamation and environmental restoration through risk-based planning, technical review, monitoring and performance evaluation. Our work integrates hydrogeology, soil and groundwater chemistry, contaminant behaviour and site-specific environmental conditions to help clients move from assessment to practical restoration outcomes.
We support the preparation of site-specific risk assessments, remediation action plans, reclamation strategies and long-term monitoring programmes for contaminated and environmentally disturbed sites. This includes treatment-based reclamation systems, landfarming operations, petroleum hydrocarbon-impacted sites, legacy oil and gas facilities and industrial properties requiring regulatory closure, environmental monitoring or Certificate of Restoration support.
Landfarming Operations for Treatment-Based Reclamation in Ontario.
The photograph shows an active landfarming site where impacted biological sludge and oily waste materials are managed under controlled conditions to promote natural and enhanced biodegradation. MEK’s involvement in similar assignments has included soil and groundwater monitoring, treatment performance evaluation and assessment of key bioremediation controls such as moisture, aeration, pH, nutrients and soil amendments to support contaminant attenuation and long-term land rehabilitation.