1. 2012
Todd De Jong
3/30/2012
Phase 1Environmental Site
Assessment: Mobile Home of 21
Pine Street, Eastern Passage
Cover Photo: Mobile Home: 2009. (Google Maps, 2012)
2. Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Disclaimer
Limitations
Acknowledgments
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Scope and Methodology
3.0 Site Description
3.1. General Description
3.2. Site Location
3.3. Site Ownership
3.4. Site Runoff
3.5. Receiving Environments
3.6. Local Geology and Soils
4.0 Site Background
4.1. Historical Land Uses
4.2. Former Surrounding Land Development
4.3. Past Environmental Concerns
4.4. Current Land Use
5.0 Site Investigation
5.1. Interior Site Investigation:
5.1.1. Master Bed Room
5.1.2. Second Bed Room
5.1.3. Kitchen
5.1.4. Living Room
5.1.5. Main Bathroom
5.1.6. Laundry Room
5.2. Exterior Site Investigation
5.2.1. Property
5.2.2. Shed
5.2.3. Exterior of Building/Roof
6.0 Utilities
6.1. Power
6.2. Communications
6.3. Heat
7.0 Summary of Findings
8.0 Conclusion and Recommendations
9.0 References
Appendix A
Appendix B
3. List of Figure
Figure 1 Mobile home location
Figure 2: Contours of land surrounding the mobile home
Figure 3 Soil geology of mobile home.
Figure 4 Bedrock geology of mobile home.
Figure 5: Surface mould around master bedroom window.
Figure 6: Rust around toilet pipe in master bedroom bathroom.
Figure 7: Water damage around bathtub in master bedroom bathroom.
Figure 8: Surface mould around skylight in master bedroom bathroom.
Figure 9: Surface mould on window, 2nd bedroom.
Figure 10: Water stained window, 2nd bedroom.
Figure 11: Surface mould around window, kitchen.
Figure 12: Surface mould around skylight, kitchen.
Figure 13: Physical damage to wall, kitchen.
Figure 14: Water stain on ceiling, living room.
Figure 15: Water stain ceiling, living room.
Figure 16: Surface mould around window, living room.
Figure 17: Surface mould around window, main bathroom.
Figure 18: Mould by the corner of bathtub, main bathroom.
Figure 19: Rust around toilet pipe, main bathroom.
Figure 20: Rust on door hinge, main bathroom.
Figure 21: Drainage hole put in place outside of property.
Figure 22: Drainage ditch, outside of property.
Figure 23: Water damage to shed.
Figure 24: Mildew found around the outside of mobile home.
Figure 25: Damaged siding, outside of mobile home.
Figure 26: Missing siding, improperly stored chemicals.
Figure 27: Electrical hazard under deck of mobile home.
Figure 28: Missing steps by back door of mobile home.
Figure 29: New plumbing under mobile home.
Figure 30: Power and communication lines entering the mobile home.
Figure 31: Drainage hole put in place outside of property.
Figure 32: Drainage ditch, outside of property.
Figure 33: Water damage to shed.
Figure 34: Mildew found around the outside of mobile home.
Figure 35: Damaged siding, outside of mobile home.
Figure 36: Missing siding, improperly stored chemicals.
Figure 37: Electrical hazard under deck of mobile home.
Figure 38: Missing steps by back door of mobile home.
Figure 39: New plumbing under mobile home.
Figure 40: Power and communication lines entering the mobile home.
4. List of Tables
Table 1: Summary of Interior Findings and Their Priority 22
Table 2: Summary of Exterior Findings and Their Priority 23
5. Executive Summary
As part of the Environmental Site Assessment course for Environmental Engineering
Technology – Water Resources (ENTG) a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to be
done individually was assigned on January 6, 2012. This inspection was done on a mobile home
owned by Todd De Jong. This inspection took place and was completed on March 9, 2012.
The objective of the Phase 1 ESA was to identify potential sources of contamination, both past
and present land use, identify damages to the building, and identify any hazards the mobile home
has that may affect the environment and the public. The Canadian Standards Association
guidelines for Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (Z768-01) were followed during the
inspection. (Canadian Standards Association, 2001)
The site is located at 21 Pine Street, Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. To the North there are more
mobile homes and beyond them is a wooded area where an old train track has been converted
into a walking path. To the West there is profile blasting and coating business and a heaving
machinery contracting business. To the East are mostly mobile homes. Pine Street connects with
Caldwell Road which has mostly residential housing.
The Phase 1 ESA indicates that there may have been some past contamination from a sewage
leak from under the mobile home. The mobile home itself is in good condition, but there are
some minor concerns. There was mould found under and around most windows and rusty
fixtures around the toilets. There was a patch job done in the master bedroom bathroom on the
wall of the tube where water damaged the wall. The exterior of the mobile home had mildew and
some broken or missing siding. The sheds’ back wall has been damaged by water and the
structure has been affected. The damages and hazards found during the ESA and in addition to
the recommendations made, should aid in the prevention of health issues and future damage to
the mobile home.
Disclaimer
This assessment will now and always be used for the purpose of course development; it will not
now or ever be used in a legal environmental complaint against Todd De Jong (mobile owner)
and S. Fredericks (land owner).
6. Limitations
There were no limitations while conducting this ESA.
Acknowledgments
Todd De Jong of the ENTG program would like to thank and acknowledge these individuals for
their assistance and cooperation in the completion of this ESA project. Todd De Jong, the owner
of the mobile, Tanya Kidney and her son Kyle Collier, the occupants of said mobile home. S.
Fredericks the owner of the land. Todd would also like to thank Mr. Paul Batson, for providing
the building blocks for the formation of an Environmental Site Assessment.
7. 1 | P a g e
1.0 Introduction
A Phase 1 ESA is the first of three phase assessments that maybe done to a property. It consists
of gathering background information on the site, assessing the properties’ hazards and damages,
and identifying any potential contamination. A phase 1 ESA does not go in-depth with the
assessment. There are no samples taken or remediation of a contaminated site. Its soul purpose is
to identify structure issues, damages; hazards and potential contamination of the environment
then recommend solutions for the identified concerns.
On March 9, 2012 a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment commenced on the mobile home of
21 Pine St. Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia (Cover Photo). The ESA inspection was completed on
the same date.
The report includes detailed descriptions and select photographs of findings of the mobile home
and surrounding outside property. A visual inspection of the mobile home, mobile homes’ roof
and surrounding outdoor property as per required in a Phase 1 ESA. Interviews conducted with
mobile home owner, property owner, and residents of mobile home were conducted and are
include in appendixes. Background information obtained include: geology of area, land-use
(historic and current), and utilities in use.
All information gathered for this Environmental Site Assessment will be used to make the
appropriate recommendations for the mobile home.
2.0 Scope and Methodology
All inspections and procedures were done in general accordance with the Environmental
Management – Environmental Assessment of Sites and Organizations.
During the course of the inspection of the interior the following concerns were recorded:
Mould around windows
Water damaged bathtub
Water Stains on ceiling
Rust on toilet fixture
Some of the exterior concerns were found to be:
Bad drainage
Damaged and missing siding
Water damage to shed
8. 2 | P a g e
Interviews conducted with persons that are affiliated with the mobile home and property shared
information on the conditions of the mobile home and property. They also provided information
about the historic land-use, adjacent land-use and their concerns on these subjects.
3.0 Site Description
3.1 General Description
This mobile home was built over twenty years ago and has been on the parks lot for the same
amount of time. The mobile is propped up on blocks in a level manner. The mobile home is
approximately 1000 square feet and has a master bedroom with bathroom, a second bedroom,
kitchen, living room, main bathroom and laundry room. Its utilities connected to municipal
power, water, and sewage.
3.2 Site Location
The mobile home is located at
21 Pine St. Eastern Passage,
Nova Scotia as shown in
Figure 1. It sits atop of block
on its lot. It is approximately
1000 square feet, and the lot
its self is 5000 square feet.
The mobile home is
surrounded by other mobile
homes as it is in a mobile
home park. There are heavy
machinery businesses to the
West and wooded area to the
North with a walking path.
3.3 Site Ownership
This site is owned by Mr. S.
Fredericks
3.4 Site Runoff
The site gets the majority of the runoff from other mobile homes and streets as it is in an area of
low elevation, as shown in figure 2. There has been drainage pipes put in place to help lessen the
runoff along the roads on either side of the site and there is a drain at the end of the driveway of
Figure 41 mobile home location (Google Maps, 2012)
9. 3 | P a g e
the mobile, shown in figure 21. This runoff then flows down Pine Street towards the wooded
area.
3.5 Receiving Environment
The major receiving environments from the mobile home are other mobiles homes down slope
and the wooded area to the North of the mobile homes. Any runoff to the other mobile homes
and wooded area would have an effect to their environments and may leach through soil and
contaminate soil and groundwater.
3.6 Local Geology and Soils
The mobile home has a undulating to gently rolling topography which slopes towards a wooded
area behind the park (Figure 1, 2). This site is part of the Hantsport series of soils (Figure 3),
which consists of dark sandy clay loam to sandy clay loam over reddish-brown sandy clay loam.
This soil has imperfect drainage. Evidence in the past suggests that this was a concern and was
dealt with, by the placing of drainage pipes. Most of the soil is derived from its bedrock parent
material. The bedrock is part of the Goldenville formation with sandstone turbidites, and slate
continental rise prisms (Figure 4).
Figure 42: Contours of land surrounding the mobile home (The Atlas of Canada, 2010)
Site of mobile home
10. 4 | P a g e
Figure 43 Soil geology of mobile home. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2011)
Figure 44 Bedrock geology of mobile home. (Nova Scotia Canada Natural Resources, 2011)
11. 5 | P a g e
4.0 Site Background
4.1 Historic Land Uses
About 40 years ago, the site which the mobile home sites atop of was undeveloped. The first
person to own the land was L.J. Fredericks. This land was then developed by L.J. Fredericks
Limited into a mobile home park in the 1970s. The sites mobile home was placed on its current
lot approximately 20 years ago.
4.2 Former Surrounding Land Development
Surrounding the mobile home is other mobile homes, which have been in place for roughly the
same amount of time. Residential homes and business are along Caldwell road which have been
in place since the 1970s. Some newer developments for residential homes are located on
Caldwell road also.
4.3 Past Environmental Concerns
After reviewing both historic land uses and former surrounding land development, there are no
past environmental concerns. Due to all sites having been undeveloped both their current states,
and that most sites were developed around the same time.
4.4 Current Land Use
Currently the mobile home is in a mobile home park with many other mobile homes. For the
most part it is in a residential area with two businesses having to do with heavy machinery to the
West along Caldwell Rd.
12. 6 | P a g e
5.0 Site Investigation
5.1 Interior Investigation
All location for concerns can be found in the Site Sketch in Appendix B for the interior
investigation.
5.1.1 Master Bedroom
For the most part most of the things identified in the master bedroom were minor and more of an
aesthetic issue. Surface mould was found around the window and window sill (Figure 5). Surface
mould was also found around the skylight in the master bedroom bathroom (Figure 6).Some rust
was found around the water intake pipe for the toilet (Figure 8). The main issue found was water
damage around the bathtub in the master bedroom bathroom (Figure 7). There may be further
unseen damages behind wall from the water damage.
Figure 45: Surface mould around master bedroom window. (De Jong – 2012)
13. 7 | P a g e
Figure 46: Surface mould around skylight in master bedroom bathroom. (De Jong - 2012)
Figure 47: Water damage around bathtub in master bedroom bathroom. (De Jong - 2012)
14. 8 | P a g e
Figure 48: Rust around toilet pipe in master bedroom bathroom. (De Jong - 2012)
5.1.2 Second Bedroom
The second bedroom had surface mould around all three windows and window sills (Figure 9).
Again it is a very minor concern and mostly an aesthetic issue. There was a water stain on the
middle window sill (Figure 10) and this has a higher concern due to not being able to see full
extent of the issue.
Figure 49: Surface mould on window, 2nd bedroom. (De Jong - 2012)
15. 9 | P a g e
Figure 50: Water stained window, 2nd bedroom. (De Jong - 2012)
5.1.3 Kitchen
The kitchen had similar issues as though in pervious rooms, with surface mould on one window
(Figure 11) and the skylight (Figure 12). Again a minor issue with more of an aesthetic issue.
There was physical damage done to a wall (Figure 13) by the main door in the kitchen.
Figure 51: Surface mould around window, kitchen. (De Jong - 2012)
16. 10 | P a g e
Figure 52: Surface mould around skylight, kitchen. (De Jong - 2012)
Figure 53: Physical damage to wall, kitchen. (De Jong - 2012)
5.1.4 Living Room
The living room had some high concern areas, two water stains were found on the ceiling (Figure
14, 15). During interviews it was found that these water stains were from a water leak that has
been fixed. Surface mould was found again around the window and window sill (Figure 16).
17. 11 | P a g e
Figure 54: Water stain on ceiling, living room. (De Jong - 2012)
Figure 55: Water stain ceiling, living room. (De Jong)
18. 12 | P a g e
Figure 56: Surface mould around window, living room. (De Jong)
5.1.5 Main Bathroom
The main bathroom had some minor to medium concerns found. There was surface mould
around the window and wind sill (Figure 17), but mould was also found in a corner by the
bathtub. The mould in the corner is more of a concern as it may indicate mould in wall and this is
a health risk (Figure 18). Rust was also found by a pipe for the toilet and rust was found on the
hinges for the door (Figure 19, 20).
Figure 57: Surface mould around window, main bathroom. (De Jong - 2012)
19. 13 | P a g e
Figure 58: Mould by the corner of bathtub, main bathroom. (De Jong - 2012)
Figure 59: Rust around toilet pipe, main bathroom. (De Jong – 2012)
20. 14 | P a g e
Figure 60: Rust on door hinge, main bathroom. (De Jong - 2012)
5.1.6 Laundry Room
No issues were found in the laundry room.
5.2 Exterior Investigation
All location for concerns can be found in the Property Site Sketch in Appendix B for the exterior
investigation.
5.2.1 Property
The main and only concern for the mobiles property was drainage. This plot of land is in a low
laying spot for the area and there is a lot of runoff from the park that makes it way to the lot.
Drainage pipes and ditches have been put into place to help with the issue (Figure 21, 22), but
the property is still pretty saturated through all seasons.
21. 15 | P a g e
Figure 61: Drainage hole put in place outside of property. (De Jong - 2012)
Figure 62: Drainage ditch, outside of property. (De Jong - 2012)
22. 16 | P a g e
5.2.2 Shed
The back of the shed had been damaged by water (Figure 23) and it felt as if the water damage
had affected its structure.
Figure 63: Water damage to shed. (De Jong - 2012)
5.2.3 Exterior of Building/Roof
The exterior of building had some minor to medium concerns. There was mildew found all
around the siding of the mobile home (Figure 24). There were some damaged siding and some
missing pieces of siding (Figure 25, 26). This is a concern because it gives access to underneath
the mobile home for small rodents and exposes it to the elements.
Impurely stored chemicals were found (Figure 26) and an electrical hazard was found under the
deck (Figure 27). Multiple electric cords were found running along underneath the deck which
were tied into the lights for the deck. These electric cords were just interior extension cords that
23. 17 | P a g e
were not meant of exterior use. The back door had no steps to the ground (Figure 28) and this is
a fire hazard.
The mobile home had relatively new plumbing for the sewer line underneath it (Figure 29). This
is due to a pervious sewage leak that happened approximately three years ago. This was fixed,
but may have contaminated the area.
The roof showed no signs of damage or leakage.
Figure 64: Mildew found around the outside of mobile home. (De Jong - 2012)
24. 18 | P a g e
Figure 65: Damaged siding, outside of mobile home. (De Jong - 2012)
Figure 66: Missing siding, improperly stored chemicals. (De Jong - 2012)
25. 19 | P a g e
Figure 67: Electrical hazard under deck of mobile home. (De Jong - 2012)
Figure 68: Missing steps by back door of mobile home. (De Jong - 2012)
26. 20 | P a g e
Figure 69: New plumbing under mobile home. (De Jong - 2012)
27. 21 | P a g e
6.0 Utilities
6.1 Power
Power lines come from a power pole which then enters the mobile by the back door (Figure 30).
It then enters the laundry room into a panel, where power is then distributed throughout the
mobile home via the electric panel.
Figure 70: Power and communication lines entering the mobile home. (De Jong - 2012)
6.2 Communication
The communication lines enter at the same place as the power line, by the back door (Figure 30).
They consist of a telephone line and a cable line. They enter the laundry room into a panel,
where they are then distributed throughout the mobile home.
6.3 Heat
The mobile home is heated by electric base board heaters. These boards are found in every room,
there may be multiple per room depending on size. They are usually located under windows.
6.4 Water and Sewer
The water is provided by the municipal water source. It enters the mobile home via pipe which
lies below the building.
Sewage leaves the mobile home through a sewage pipe. This pipe which lies below the building
then flows to a municipal sewage facility.
28. 22 | P a g e
7.0 Summary of Findings
Interior of Mobile Home
Refer to Site Sketch
Table 1 Summary of Interior Findings and Their Priority
Location Findings Priority
MasterBedroom o surface mould around
window
o surface mould around
skylight
o water damage around
bathtub
o rust around toilet pipe
Low
Low
Medium-High
Medium
Second Bedroom o surface mould around
all three windows
o water stain on the
second window
Low
Low-Medium
Kitchen o surface mould around
skylight
o surface mould around
window facing deck
o damaged wall by door
Low
Low
Low
Living Room o multiple water stains
on ceiling
o surface mould around
window
Medium-High
Low
Main Bathroom o surface mould around
window
o mould in corner by
bathtub
o rust on toilet pipe
o rust on door hinges
Low
Medium-High
Medium
Medium
Laundry Room o no findings N/A
29. 23 | P a g e
Exterior of Mobile Home
Refer to Property Sketch
Table 2 Summary of Exterior Findings and Their Priority
Location Findings Priority
Property o drainage Medium-High
Shed o water damage to back High
Exterior Building/Roof o mildew all over
o multiple damaged
siding pieces
o multiple missing siding
pieces
o improperly stored
chemicals
o mould by front door
o missing stairs by back
door
o electrical hazard under
deck
Low
Low-Medium
Medium-High
Medium-High
Low
High
Medium
30. 24 | P a g e
8.0 Conclusion and Recommendations
Overall the mobile home is in good condition, there are some concerns to be considered and
addressed. Major concern is the past sewage leak that may of contaminated the area, further
testing should be done to find out if the soils and groundwater in the area is contaminated. Then
the appropriate action should be taken if site is contaminated. Another main concern is the
drainage; although measures have been taken to help with drainage further steps may need to be
taken to lessen the saturation of the property and to maintain the integrity of the mobile home’s
foundation. The water damaged shed should have its back panel replaced. As for the interior of
mobile home, more air circulation could help cope with the surface mould; an updated bathroom
fan would help cure the mould issues there. If these mould issues are left untreated they may
pose a health risk. For the water stained ceiling and master bedroom bathroom’s bathtub wall,
further investigation should be under taken to establish how much water damage there may be.
Again there maybe health risks because water stains may indicate further damage and or mould
growth. Upon review of these recommendations, there is no need for further investigation.
31. References
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2011, November, 3). SOIL SURVEY OF HALIFAX
COUNTY (REPRINTED 1981). retrieved January 24 2012, from
http://sis2.agr.gc.ca/cansis/publications/surveys/ns/ns13b/index.html
Canadian Standards Association, 2001. Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment.
ENTG Class of 2012. 2012. Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment.
Google Maps, 2012. Satellite View of 21 Pine St. Retrieved March 9, 2012 from
http://maps.google.ca/
Google Maps, 2012. Street View of 21 Pine St. Retrieved March 9, 2012 from
http://maps.google.ca/
Nova Scotia Canada Natural Resources (2011, February, 8). Map ME 2000-001: Geological
Map of the Province of Nova Scotia [1:500 000]. Retrieved January 24 2012, from
http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/meb/download/mg/map/htm/map_2000-001.asp
Topographic Map of Easternpassage, Nova Scotia. 2010. Map. The Atlas of Canada. Natural
Resources Canada. 2010. Accessed: March 9, 2012. Retrieved from:
http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/topographicmap_savemap?imageurl=http://atlas.nrca
n.gc.ca/tmp/ntdb_mspaserv461133133735723830.png
