Park in Freelton has contaminated soil that poses ‘very little risk’ to Hamilton residents
Published September 7, 2022 at 11:47 am
A park in the community of Freelton has soil that is more contaminated than Ontario environmental laws permit. .
The City of Hamilton informed the public of the recent discovery of the mercury, zinc, cadmium and lead levels in soils at Centennial Heights Park today (Sept. 7), saying that “the condition of the park poses very little risk to public health.” The finding was discovered last month by a contracted consultant, Terraprobe, which was performing preconstruction work last month to prepare for the addition of a loop pathway project.
A media statement said the municipal government believes it is important to inform the public. Terraprobe reported the soil test results to the city on Aug. 9, and re-tested on Aug. 17. The results of that, which were delivered on Aug. 26, confirmed the levels of the above-mentioned minerals exceeded provincial standards.
However, the soil has not been touched in more than a quarter-century, and water monitoring at City-owned wells is not turning up anything.
“At this time, on the counsel of the consultant’s qualified professional, (Hamilton) Public Health Services and Hamilton Water staff, the general consensus is that that the condition of the park poses very little risk to public health, as contaminants within the soil are not readily available, nor likely to move through the landscape,” the city statement said. “City staff have informed the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) of the soil quality.
“Based on historical data, the City has determined that this site has remained untouched since at least 1995 and routine water monitoring of nearby municipal wells continues to show zero detection of contaminants.”
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Residents of the affected area are not being advised to take action. But property owners near the park at 12 Karendale Cres. are being reminded to check the water quality of their wells.
“While private wells are the responsibility of the property owner, as always, the city reminds residents who own private wells to routinely check the water quality of their wells. The city has not detected contaminants in nearby city wells or have received reports from private property owners of contaminant findings.”
Centennial Heights Park includes play equipment, play structures, picnic tables, a park shelter, washrooms, soccer fields and softball diamond. Further information about the soil monitoring is available at hamilton.ca.
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