Ontario · CSA Z769 & O.Reg. 153/04

Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment in Ottawa

Ben Engineering offers Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) consulting in Ottawa, Ontario — with intrusive sampling and laboratory analysis under CSA Z769 and O.Reg. 153/04.

Request a Quote See Phase 1 ESA

Standard: CSA Z769financing & due diligence
Regulation: O.Reg. 153/04RSC, rezoning, permits
Prepared by: Licensed P.Eng & P.Geo30+ years experience
Service area: Ottawa, ONand Southwestern Ontario

What is a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment?

A Phase 2 ESA is an intrusive investigation involving borehole drilling, soil and groundwater sampling, and laboratory analysis, typically conducted after a Phase 1 ESA identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions.

See our Phase 1 ESA overview for more. In Ontario, Phase 2 ESAs may follow CSA Z769 (financing, due diligence) or O.Reg. 153/04 (RSC filing, rezoning, MECP applications).

Industrial and Commercial Context in Ottawa

Ottawa's employment lands are spread across the Kanata North technology park, the Gloucester and industrial areas near the airport, and federal-government-related facilities throughout the National Capital Region.

Multi-Residential Development in Ottawa

High-density residential development is concentrated in the downtown core, along the LRT corridor, and in growth nodes such as Kanata and Barrhaven, with dozens of high-rise condominium and purpose-built rental buildings across the city. Properties near these commercial and industrial corridors are the ones most likely to require environmental due diligence before financing, redevelopment, or a change of use.

Why This Matters for Properties in Ottawa

As with any Ontario municipality with an established industrial base, properties near Ottawa's commercial and industrial corridors are more likely to require a Phase 2 ESA when they change ownership, are refinanced, or are proposed for redevelopment to a more sensitive use such as residential.

How a Phase 2 ESA Is Actually Carried Out

Borehole locations are selected based on the Phase 1 findings, typically targeting areas of suspected historical spills, former tank locations, or drainage points where contaminants would be expected to accumulate.

Soil samples are collected at multiple depths from each borehole and screened in the field before being sent to an accredited laboratory, allowing the assessor to prioritize which samples warrant full laboratory analysis.

Environmental Site Assessment — Overview

Nearby areas we serve

Also servicing the surrounding region

Phase 2 ESAs by area

We work across Ontario, generally within 500 km of our Vaughan head office. Each area has its own page.