This site was last updated November 29, 2011

The Study
In accordance to O.Reg.153/04, the City of Toronto has completed an Environmental Risk Assessment on the site formerly known as the Mimico Sewage Treatment Plant, 14 Algoma St.

The purpose of the risk assessment is to facilitate the City’s plans for redevelopment of the site as a public park. Due to historical activities at this site, specific risk management measures to address environmental issues are being considered. Members of the public are invited to provide comments with regards to the proposed risk management measures.

Map of Study Area

Get Involved
Public consultation is an important part of this process. Your involvement in the study is welcome. Project updates and notice of all public events will be posted on this website. Public events for this project will also be advertised in the Etobicoke Guardian.

• Risk Assessment Report

Contact Us
If you have any comments or concerns regarding this study, please contact:

Attn: David Wong
Mimico Sewage Plant Redevelopment
c/o Terrapex Environmental Limited
City of Toronto
49 Coldwater Road
Toronto, Ontario M3B 1Y8
d.wong@terrapex.com

The comment period closed October 21, 2011.

With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Summary of Responses

Ref	Summary of Public Comment	Response
1	The developer, the City and the Ministry have had more than enough time to resolve this project and the community has been more than patient waiting for its completion. We are all hoping that you can bring this matter to a successful conclusion as quickly as possible.	A revised risk assessment report which addresses comments received from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment will be resubmitted to the Ministry in November 2011. Preliminary earthworks for the park development will also begin in November 2011.
2	I would like to know if your company and the City of Toronto will be holding an open community discussion regarding the proposed new park. In reading the notice that was in the local community paper there is mention of historical activities that took place on the site. Other then the sewage plant that was there, was there something else? Currently there is a large condo project going on the land and the soil from it has been dumped on the area that I understand is contaminated. What is going to be done with that? Also there are several large trees on the property. What will be happening to the existing green space that is there?	No open community discussion is planned to discuss the results of the risk assessment at this time. Previous investigations of the proposed park have documented that the eastern portion of the site may have been used for landfilling. However, subsurface investigations of the site have not identified any evidence of placement of domestic or industrial waste. The stockpile of soil from the adjacent condominium project is located on private property and is beyond the limits of the risk-assessed area. The stockpiled soil will be used to construct a 1 m thick barrier on the proposed park, as described in Section 7 of the Risk Assessment report. However, before the soil is placed on the park it will be subjected to rigorous chemical analyses, in accordance with Ministry of the Environment requirements, to ensure it meets applicable standards for the proposed use. Certain trees and vegetation will be removed to accommodate the proposed park concept. However, efforts will be made to minimize disturbance to existing vegetation where it can be left in place.
3	Is there a concise summary of what the proposal is - e.g. is spreading the pile over the park truly being considered?	Risk Management Measures are detailed in Section 7 of the risk assessment report. In summary, the placement of a 1 m thick cap of clean soil will ensure protection of human and ecological receptors by eliminating potential pathways of exposure. The soil from which the barrier will be constructed is to be obtained from the stockpile on the adjacent property. Prior to moving the soil from the stockpile to the park, it will be subjected to rigorous chemical analyses in accordance with Ministry of the Environment requirements, to ensure it meets applicable standards for the proposed use.
4	I've been reading through your assessment of the contaminated soil on Algoma Street as I'm a prospective buyer of a condo unit on Manitoba Street and curious about the hazards. There's lots I don't understand in the document so I was hoping you could clarify, as from what I deduct is that the soil is only hazardous to a person if they are physically on it? The unit I’m looking to purchase is on the North side of the building immediately facing the Gardiner Expressway. Is living near the site safe at this point?	Risk Assessment is a process that has been established by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to determine potential risks to human health and/or plants and animals (ecological receptors) as a result of exposure to contaminants that may be present in soil, groundwater, or air. The risk assessment concluded that humans may have increased health risks if they ingest, inhale or have direct contact with soil on the undeveloped site. Implementation of the Risk Management Measures (i.e., construction of the clean soil barrier) will ensure the general public will not be exposed to unacceptable hazards.
5	When will a final assessment or results be available? What is the worst that can happen for the residents nearby if the park is not approved?	A revised risk assessment report addressing the Ministry of the Environment’s comments will be submitted to the Ministry in November 2011. Under provincial regulations, the Ministry has 22 weeks to complete its review of the revised report, and it is anticipated that the risk assessment will be accepted and finalized within that time frame. The park scenario was used as the basis of the risk assessment process. Final approval of the proposed park is beyond the scope of the risk assessment. Implementation of Risk Management Measures will ensure the public will not be exposed to unacceptable hazards.