Staff report

DATE: June 1, 2017

FILE: 5360-05 TO: Chair and Directors Comox Valley Regional District (Comox Strathcona waste management) board FROM: Russell Dyson

Chief Administrative Officer RE: Comox Strathcona waste management asbestos disposal update Purpose To provide an update on analysis completed by the City of Campbell River regarding the deposition of asbestos at the Campbell River Waste Management Centre (CRWMC). Policy analysis Bylaw No. 170 being the “Solid Waste Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 170, 2011” regulates the municipal solid wastes acceptable for disposal at the Comox Valley and Campbell River waste management centres, and highlights in Schedule ‘B’ a list of prohibited waste, including asbestos. At its September 15, 2016 Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) CSWM board meeting the following recommendation was approved:

THAT the Comox Strathcona waste management board move towards accepting asbestos at the Campbell River waste management centre as presented in the staff report dated June 10, 2016

At its April 20, 2017 CSWM board meeting the following recommendation was approved:

THAT implementation of the hazardous waste asbestos program be deferred until referral and discussion takes place with the City of Campbell River regarding the proposed program; AND THAT staff report back to the June board meeting regarding accepting asbestos at the Campbell River Waste Management Centre.

Executive summary At the April 20th, 2017 CSWM board meeting staff provided a registration letter from the British Columbia Ministry of Environment (MoE) approving the disposal of asbestos at the CRWMC subject to compliance with five conditions included within the letter. At the same meeting the board deferred the implementation of the hazardous waste asbestos program until referral and discussion was completed with the City of Campbell River (Campbell River) regarding the proposed program. On April 27, 2017 the CVRD prepared a letter for Campbell River staff with background and context related to the Asbestos initiative along with a request to provide any feedback to the implementation of this initiative at the CRWMC. In response, Campbell River staff prepared a report for council dated May 12th, 2017 (attached as Appendix A) concluding that the approval from MOE is based on provincial standards and the proposed landfilling of asbestos is based on a series of conditions outlined in the approval. Staff further suggested that additional annual ground water monitoring could be recommended to determine if the asbestos initiative had an adverse impact on ground water quality. On May 23rd,

Staff Report – CSWM asbestos disposal update Page 2

Comox Valley Regional District

2017 city of Campbell River council discussed the report and deferred the item until further information could be provided regarding the zoning of the CRWMC site. In response to the deferral, Campbell River staff prepared a follow-up report for council dated May 29, 2017 (attached as Appendix B) concluding that the existing zoning does permit landfill operations in accordance with the Environmental Management Act. In addition, staff also investigated the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality to find that Asbestos is not required to be tested within these standards. Based on this, Campbell River staff now suggest that additional groundwater monitoring (for the deposition of asbestos at the CRWMC) is not required. This report is scheduled to be considered by Campbell River council June 6, 2017. CVRD staff will provide a verbal update to the CSWM board regarding Campbell River council’s consideration of the May 29th report. Recommendation from the chief administrative officer: This report is presented for information only. Respectfully: R. Dyson __________________________ Russell Dyson Chief Administrative Officer Prepared by: M. Rutten Marc Rutten, P.Eng. General Manager of Engineering Services

Attachments: Appendix A – “Report to Council, City of Campbell River, May 12th, 2017,

Asbestos Disposal Permit” Appendix B – “Report to Council, City of Campbell River, May 29th, 2017,

Updated Asbestos Disposal Permit”

Report To Council

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TO: City Manager

FROM: Deputy City Manager and GM of Operations

AUTHORED BY: Transportation Manager

DATE: May 12th, 2017

SUBJECT: Asbestos Disposal Permit – Comox Strathcona Waste Management

Campbell River Waste Management Centre

Recommendation:

THAT Council receive this report as information AND THAT the Comox Valley Regional District be requested to provide the City of Campbell River with a copy of the Annual Ground Water Monitoring Program Report with specific notation in the report related to any changes in water quality related the disposal of asbestos at the Campbell River Waste Management Centre

Purpose:

To provide Council with general information related to the Ministry of Environment’s approval of the Comox Strathcona Waste Management service to receive Asbestos Waste at the Campbell River Waste Management Centre under Authorization Number 108646

Background:

The City received a letter from the CSWM service at the request of the Regional Solid Waste Board for staff review.

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) provided staff a cover letter and the Authorization Letter form Ministry of Environment (MoE). This letter outlined the history of the CSWM Board direction and the follow up for permitting through the MoE.

MoE’s authorization letter provides reference to the location, annual amount of asbestos that can be disposed of at the facility and a number of conditions associated with the inspection of the waste/receiving, placement, and handling of the materials.

Discussion:

Staff have reviewed the information provided by the CVRD and the MoE. The approval is based on Provincial standards and are regulated as such. Inspection of materials, handling/placement of the materials and covering of them are done under the conditions outlined in the approval and subject to any Provincial legislation.

The City may wish to seek further information from the CVRD as this moves forward related to any ground water concerns. While typically, asbestos in an undisturbed state is not an issue, the City may wish to be provided with annual ground water sampling reports (that are already done at a number of monitoring wells on and around the landfill site) specifically requesting details regarding any changes in water quality associated with the disposal of asbestos materials.

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Financial / Operational Considerations:

The provision of a local asbestos disposal site will allow the City and its contractors that ability to dispose of materials locally at a potential cost savings. This will also reduce or eliminate the need for the City to stockpile this material and ship it for disposal in Victoria.

Options:

Council has the following options:

1) That Council receives this report as information and that the CVRD be requested to provide the City of Campbell River with a copy of the annual ground water monitoring program report with specific notation in the report related to any changes in water quality related the disposal of asbestos at the Campbell River Waste Management Centre

2) That Council received this report as information

Staff recommends option one as it will provide the City with any ground water indicators related to asbestos.

Prepared by, Reviewed and Endorsed by:

Drew Hadfield, AScT Ronald G. Neufeld, P.Eng.

Transportation Manager Deputy City Manager & GM Operations

Inc. CVRD Letter April 27/17 and MoE Authorization Letter April 5/17

Report To Council

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TO: City Manager

FROM: Deputy City Manager and GM of Operations

AUTHORED BY: Transportation Manager

DATE: May 29th, 2017

SUBJECT: Updated - Asbestos Disposal Permit – Comox Strathcona Waste Management Campbell River Waste Management Centre

Recommendation:

THAT Council receive this updated report as information

Purpose:

To provide Council with additional information as requested at the May 23, 2017 meeting where this item was deferred pending additional information on zoning of the existing landfill.

Background:

The City received a letter from the CSWM service at the request of the Regional Solid Waste Board for staff review.

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) provided staff a cover letter and the Authorization Letter form Ministry of Environment (MoE). This letter outlined the history of the CSWM Board direction and the follow up for permitting through the MoE.

MoE’s authorization letter provides reference to the location, annual amount of asbestos that can be disposed of at the facility and a number of conditions associated with the inspection of the waste/receiving, placement, and handling of the materials.

On May 23rd, Council discuss the report at their regular Council meeting and deferred the item until additional information could be provided regarding the zoning of this site.

Discussion:

Staff have reviewed the zoning of the Campbell River Waste Management Centre (CRWMC) on Argonaut Road. The zoning is I-P 4 where Landfill operations are permitted in accordance with the Environmental Management Act.

Industrial Four (I – 4) Zone Purpose: This zone provides areas for landfill operations, recycling, auto wrecking, equipment and materials storage and repairs Permitted Uses: 5.17.1 On any lot, the following uses are permitted: (a) heavy equipment storage and ancillary repairs, excluding sales and commercial repairs (b) storage yard (c) recycling center, scrap yard, wrecking yard (d) landfill in accordance with the Environmental Management Act (e) net wash (only on Block B, District Lot 84, Sayward District) (f) accessory dwelling unit g) vocational training centre

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In addition, staff reviewed the Guideline for the Canadian Drinking Water Quality (chemical and physical parameters) and found that Asbestos is not required to be tested within these standards. In the summary table of these guidelines (Summary Table February 2017, page 6), the comments state:

Guideline value not necessary; no evidence of adverse health effects from exposure (to asbestos) from exposure through drinking water

Financial / Operational Considerations:

Based on the review of the Guidelines for the Canadian Drinking Water Quality the previous recommendation from staff for further information from the CVRD on an annual basis as repeated below, is no longer considered necessary.

That the CVRD be requested to provide the City of Campbell River with a copy of the annual ground water monitoring program report with specific notation in the report related to any changes in water quality related the disposal of asbestos at the Campbell River Waste Management Centre

Options:

Council has the following options:

1) That Council receives this updated report as information

2) That Council provides further direction to staff regarding Councils direction on this matter

Staff recommends option one.

Prepared by, Reviewed and Endorsed by:

Drew Hadfield, AScT Ronald G. Neufeld, P.Eng.

Transportation Manager Deputy City Manager & GM Operations

Inc. Copy of pages 5 and 6; Chemical and Physical Properties – CDWG Table 2, 2017

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Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality Summary Table (February 2017)

Table 2. Chemical and Physical ParametersGuidelines for chemical and physical parameters are:

1. health based and listed as maximum acceptable concentrations (MAC);2. based on aesthetic considerations and listed as aesthetic objectives (AO); or3. established based on operational considerations and listed as operational guidance values (OG).

In general, the highest priority guidelines are those dealing with microbiological contaminants. Any measure taken to reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants should not compromise the effectiveness of disinfection.

Type1 Parameter (approval, reaffirmation)

MAC Other value (mg/L) (mg/L)

Common sources of parameter in water

Health considerations Comments

T Aluminum OG: Aluminum salts used as There is no consistent, convincing The operational guideline applies to(1998) <0.1

(conventionaltreatment);< 0.2 (other treatment

types)

coagulants in drinking water treatment; naturally occurring

evidence that aluminum in drinking water causes adverse health effects in humans.

treatment plants using aluminum-based coagulants; it does not apply to naturally occurring aluminum found in groundwater.For treatment plants using aluminum- based coagulants, monthly samples should be taken of the water leaving the plant; the OGs are based on a running annual average of monthly samples.

I Ammonia None Naturally occurring; Levels of ammonia, either naturally Guideline value not necessary as it is(2013) required released from agricultural

or industrial wastes; added as part of chloramination for drinking water disinfection

present in the source water or added as part of a disinfection strategy, can affect water quality in the distribution system (e.g., nitrification) and should be monitored.

produced in the body and efficiently metabolized in healthy people; no adverse effects at levels found in drinking water.To help prevent nitrification, limit excess free ammonia entering the distribution system to below 0.1 mg/L, and preferably below 0.05 mg/L, measured as nitrogen. Nitrification can lead to the formation of nitrite/nitrate, decreased chloramine residual and increased bacterial count.

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Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality Summary Table (February 2017)

Type Parameter MAC Other value Common sources of Health considerations Comments(approval,reaffirmation)

(mg/L) (mg/L) parameter in water

I Antimony(1997)

0.006 Naturally occurring (erosion); soil runoff; industrial effluents; leaching from plumbing materials and solder

Health basis of MAC: Microscopic changes in organs and tissues (thymus, kidney, liver, spleen, thyroid)

MAC takes into consideration analytical achievability; plumbing should be thoroughly flushed before water is used for consumption.

I Arsenic(2006)

0.010ALARA

Naturally occurring (erosion and weathering of soils, minerals, ores); releases from mining; industrial effluent

Health basis of MAC: Cancer (lung, bladder, liver, skin) (classified as human carcinogen)Other: Skin, vascular and neurological effects (numbness and tingling of extremities)

MAC based on treatment achievability; elevated levels associated with certain groundwaters; levels should be kept as low as reasonably achievable.

I Asbestos(1989,2005)

Nonerequired

Naturally occurring (erosion of asbestos minerals and ores); decay of asbestos-cement pipes

Guideline value not necessary; no evidence of adverse health effects from exposure through drinking water.

P Atrazine 0.005 Leaching and/or runoff Health basis of MAC: MAC applies to sum of atrazine and its N-

(1993) from, agricultural use Developmental effects (reduced body weight of offspring)Other: Potential increased risk of

dealkylated metabolites - diethylatrazine, deisopropylatrazine, hydroxyatrazine, diaminochlorotriazine;

ovarian cancer or lymphomas (classified as possible carcinogen)

Persistent in source waters.

P Azinphos-methyl(1989,2005)

0.02 Leaching and/or runoff from agricultural use

Health basis of MAC: Neurological effects (plasma cholinesterase)

All uses were phased out by 2012.

I Barium(1990)

1.0 Naturally occurring; releases or spills from industrial uses

Health basis of MAC: Increases in blood pressure, cardiovascular disease

O Benzene 0.005 Releases or spills from Health basis of MAC: Bone marrow MAC takes into consideration all(2009) industrial uses (red and white blood cell) changes and

cancer (classified as humanexposures from drinking water, which include ingestion, as well as inhalation and

carcinogen)Other: Blood system and immunological responses

dermal absorption during showering and bathing.

O Benzo[a]pyrene 0.000 04 Leaching from liners in Health basis of MAC: Stomach(2016) water distribution systems tumours (classified as human

carcinogen)

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