1. REPORT ON THE PHASE 1 ENVIRONMENTAL SITE
ASSESSMENT OF THE
WINE VISITOR & EDUCATION CENTER AND
VINEYARDS
Patrice Russell
Student no: 4204980
Environmental Management & Assessment
Niagara College
2. Executive Summary
The Wine Visitor and Education Center (WVEC) has employed the services of Patrice Russell to perform a phase
one environmental site assessment (ESA) on the WVEC and surrounding vineyards. The property is located at
135 Taylor Road, just a short distance southeast of the Taylor Road and Glendale Ave. The phase 1 ESA was
conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the CSA z-768 which includes a thorough records review of
historical documents, title search and any available company records. It also includes a site reconnaissance visit
of the WVEC and surrounding vineyards and interviews with two members of staff.
The site based on aerial photographs has always been used for agriculture, however the surrounding uses based on
previous reports and the title search documents have varied somewhat from a possible hydro power facility to a
racetrack establishment and then eventually acquired by the school. There were also two lagoons constructed for
the purposes of treating sewage from the racetrack establishment which can still currently be found just behind
the vineyards.
There are a few potential sources of contamination identified in this report, based on the fact that the land has
been used for agriculture for centuries would suggest that there may be a serious accumulation of pesticides and
fertilizers in the soil. The fact that the lagoons still show distinct signs of eutrophication or algal blooms suggests
that high levels of pollution may still exist in these water bodies and that waste is still being dumped there. Lastly
the fact that some of the waste and chemicals used are washed down the drains are another area of concern.
The purpose of the phase one ESA was to determine the existence of potential or actual contamination on the site.
More detailed research and analysis may be required to confirm or delineate any contamination or to determine
that the site is “clean”. This report gives an overview of any potentially contaminating activities and any areas of
potential concern on or surrounding the site.
3. 1.0 Introduction
The Wine Visitor & Education Center was established in 2009 and is considered to be a unique and state of the art
facility. This facility was designed to teach students about viticulture and to enhance viticultural practices through
science and technology. It also houses a beautiful showroom where wines and other products may be purchased
which is truly a celebration of Ontario and Canadian wines. The WVEC is a sustainable facility which practices
energy efficiency, composting and recycling and has also been certified as Carbon-Neutral by the Canadian
Standards Association’s Canadian Clean Projects Registry.
1.1 Objectives
The objective of this project is to conduct a Phase 1 ESA on the Wine Visitor & Education Centre (WVEC) and
the adjacent vineyards which is located on the Niagara College campus at 135 Taylor Road. The property/site is
located a few hundred metres south of the intersection of Taylor road and Glendale avenue. The phase 1 ESA will
seek to determine if in fact there are any existing and potential sources of contamination through various methods
of research and assessment. Also a report will be generated detailing the findings of the assessment.
1.2 Scope of Work
The scope of the project will include:
Records review which includes a review of aerial photographs, topography maps, soil maps, geological
maps, available company records and publicly available city directories.
Site reconnaissance visit
Interview with two staff members
Evaluation of Information
1.3 Regulatory Framework
The ESA Phase 1 assessment will follow the guidelines set out in CSA Z-768.
2.0 Site Description
The WVEC is set amongst 40 acres of vineyards. The structure consists of a two levels. The lower level
contains a laboratory and production area where the process of making wine occurs. There is also a small class
room and an office located on this level. The main floor is the showroom and store where all wine products are
sold, there is also a small outdoor patio area with a breathtaking view of the vineyards. The approximately 40
acres of teaching vineyards are located behind the winery at the base of the Niagara escarpment.
4. 2.1 Historical Land Use
Based on the information obtained through records review and aerial photographs (see Appendix A & G), it can
be determined that the site has been used for agricultural purposes. The aerial photograph dated 1934 clearly
shows the vineyards on the site several decades before being purchased by the school and was possibly
previously owned by Stone Church Winery.
3.0 Records Review
3.1 Aerial Photographs
Aerial photographs Year taken Description of photographs Source obtained
Appendix- A1 1934 Map shows vineyards, no existing
structures.
Google earth
Appendix- A2 2002 Map shows vineyards, no existing
structures
Google earth
Appendix- A3 2003 Map shows vineyards, no existing
structures
Google earth
Appendix- A4 2006 Map shows vineyards, no existing
structures.
Google Earth
Appendix- A5 2007 Map shows vineyards, no existing
structures
Google Earth
Appendix- A6 2009 Map shows vineyards and some structure
on site.
Google Earth
Appendix- A7 2012 Map shows vineyards and the completed
structure
Google Earth
Appendix- A8 2015 Map shows vineyards, also shows the
completed structure
Google Earth
3.2 Title Search and Assessment Rolls
The title search obtained is not specific to the site but shows the title history of the entire property 135 Taylor
Road. The property 135 Taylor Road was first formally owned in 1953/12/22 by the Hydro Electric Power
Commission of Ontario, one can assume that there may have been electrical power equipment and lines at this
point. The property was then transferred to the Corporation of the Township of Niagara in 07/28/1964. At this
point in time there were various activities taking place on the site, such as a racetrack establishment (Garden
City Racetrack) and also the lagoons were constructed to collect and treat sewage from the racetrack company.
The property was transferred to the Regional Municipality of Niagara in 1969/12/31 and was later transferred
back to the Corporation of the Township of Niagara in 1989/11/08. In 1993 the property, or some part thereof
was acquired by Niagara College of Applied Arts & Technology for a cost of $1500. Further acquisitions were
made by Niagara College in 2002, 2004 & 2005.
3.3 Prior ESA Phase 1 Reports
5. No prior Phase 1 ESA reports were obtained for the specific site. However a Phase 1 Report was obtained on
the lagoons which are in close proximity to the site (listed in references). This report provided evidence of
possible neighbouring contamination activities at 135 Taylor Road which were helpful in generating a report.
3.4 Company Records
Site building plans were obtained from the Facilities Management Department for the Wine Visitor &
Education Center which was very useful in understanding the layout of the facility.
Emergency spill plans from the office at the site was obtained, this outlined their emergency spill
procedures, which was useful in helping to understand how dangerous chemical spills are cleaned.
The MSDS records were obtained from the laboratory at the site which listed all the chemicals used in
the facility and useful information and handling procedures for each of them.
3.5 Environmental Reports
An energy audit, tree inventory and sustainability report on WVEC was obtained from the Office of
Sustainability. This tree inventory showed over 200 species of trees on the property many of which are endemic
to the area. This was useful in understanding how ecologically important and sensitive the area is and how any
contamination on the WVEC could affect their habitats. The energy audit which was conducted in October 2015
shows the WVEC total annual energy consumption to be about 8947 kwh/yr. The sustainability report focused
on the energy efficiency of the WVEC through the use of window film technology.
4.0 Site Reconnaissance Checklist
6. Date: 16/10/2015 Time: 10:30 am Weather Conditions: Overcast, light rain
Time on site (hours): 2 hours Is facility operational? (Y/N) Name(s): Patrice Russell
Exterior Location Description
Limitations
Winery was not
operational at the time,
so the wine making
process was not
observed.
The weather was
overcast with light rain,
may have washed away
outside soil stains
Photographs of the property
and surrounding properties:
include description and
relevant PCA; APEC
Many pictures of vineyards, wine center &
education center were taken
Confirmation of property
land use and immediate
surrounding land use;
relevant site features;
drainage; etc
Land is used for agriculture (grapes),
surrounding features and buildings include:
Lagoons, Niagara escarpment, brewery,
greenhouse, Niagara on the Green
community
Topographic, geologic and
hydrogeological conditions
Extensive forests and lagoons located just
behind the vineyards, vineyards are at the
base of a high slope (Niagara escarpment)
Areas of Natural
Significance
Niagara escarpment This is a protected area which runs through
the Niagara region with lots of biodiversity
(flora and fauna).
Unidentified Substances Laboratory A few bottles without adequate labels in
laboratory area.
Odours Lower level Strong odour of sour grapes and acids.
Potable water supply Water pipes running along walls Water pipes were visible running through
the lower level of the building
7. Special attention items
PCBs, Asbestos, Lead,
Ozone depleting, radon,
mould, noise, electric,
magnetic fields.
Tanks, equipment. Traces of mould below storage tanks,
electrical equipment though out plant with
lots of water on the floors (possible
electrical hazards), a lot of equipment that
could possible leak VOCs, a lot of
equipment with gauges (potential to leak
mercury)
EXTERIOR
OBSERVATIONS-
VINEYARDS
Subsurface features present Located in the vineyards Large pipe sticking out of the earth in the
vineyard for irrigation system.
Storage tank/containers
above or below ground:
Age, size
Outside Several large storage containers outside,
wine barrels inside and outside (See
Appendix F for pictures)
Stained soil, vegetation,
pavement
Minor stains outside Grape seeds, pulp and juice stains
Stressed vegetation None visible None visible
Areas of Fill/debris None observed None observed
PCA/APEC? Equipment, waste water
(effluent)
Effluent from wine making process being
washed into floor drains, chemical spills
being washed into floor drains,
Refrigeration equipment leaking VOCs.
Effluent from wine making process gets
washed down drains.
Previous excavations/ soil
removal
Vineyards Excavated areas in the vineyards for
planting of grapes
Hazardous Material Laboratory Many potentially hazardous chemicals
used these include: copper sulphate
pentahydrate, sulphuric acid and
phosphoric acid.
Observation of
adjoining/close properties
On-campus, across the street Buildings within close proximity include:
brewery, greenhouse, campus main
building, residence hall, community across
the street
8. Wells No wells observed
Waste water Waste water produced from wine making
process and some effluent is washed down
into floor vents and into sewer system
Watercourse, ditches or
standing water
Floor vents Used to carry away waste water and
effluent from tanks
Roads, parking facilities and
rights of way
Parking to the front and east of
the facility
INTERIOR
OBSERVATIONS-
WINERY
Exit/entry points Lower floor, main floor Has 2 exits on the lower floor, 2 exits on
the main floor
Heating & Cooling systems:
Type and fuel source
Along the walls Visible exhaust fans in the walls, also large
ventilation pipe behind tanks.
Drains, pits, sumps Floor drains located throughout
the plant
Used to carry away wastewater from
washing of tanks and other equipment.
Mechanical equipment Various equipment inside and
outside of site.
Equipment includes: tanks, refrigerators,
barrel machine
Stains or corrosion on
floors; not water; from a
discharge point
Various stains under tanks on
the lower level floor.
Stains are from juice pulp and possibly
minor chemical spills
Pipes Along the walls 3 main pipes observed running along upper
wall region, these pipes are used for water,
glycol and gas
9. Interview with Gavin Robertson, Winemaker
1. What year was thee Wine Visitor and Education Center first opened?
It was opened in 2009
2. Are there any chemicals used in the wine making process? Are any potentially hazardous?
Yes, there are many chemicals used in the process, some are potentially hazardous, they are all listed in
the MSDS booklet with instructions for use.
3. Do you use pesticides on the vineyards? If yes, what kind?
Yes we do use pesticides. We use the services of an outside company for spraying pesticides, so I’m not
sure of the specific names.
4. Have there been any odour problems on the site or from the surrounding lands?
None to speak of, no
5. When was the WVEC opened?
It was opened in 2009
6. Do you know who the previous owners were?
I think it may have been Stone Church.
7. Are there any underground storage tanks at the WVEC?
No, they are none
8. Has there been any issues of spills or regulatory compliance issues?
9. Any evidence of contamination from neighbouring properties?
10. Has any waste been dumped on the property, or fill from unknown sources?
10. Interview with Ryan Monkman, Cellar Hand
1. Is there waste generated from the wine making process?
Yes there is about 30% waste generated from the wine making process in the form of skins and seeds.
Most of this waste is composted on campus to be re-used as fertilizer.
2. Are there any type of waste that gets washed down the drain?
In racking the wine (moving from one tank to the other), the sediment that settles as the bottom which
contains mostly yeast and juice pulp often does get washed down the drain. Also cleaning chemicals that
are used to wash the tanks and other equipment does get washed down the drain.
3. What are the different pipes running across the walls of the lower level floor?
The yellow pipe is gas, the white pipe is water and the black insulated pipe is glycol
4. Are there any fuel storage tanks? What are they used for?
Diesel, propane and gasoline is used and stored on the property. Gasoline is used for the vehicles, diesel
is used for the diesel powered dish washer and trucks to get around the vineyards, propane fuels used for
various equipment.
