A complaint about remediation work in Diamond Valley has resulted in action being taken by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER).
A spokesperson for the AER confirmed that a complaint was received on Aug. 12 related to land remediation of the historic Valley Pipe Line tank farm near the Turner Valley Gas Plant.
An inspection of the site found topsoil that exceeded hydrocarbon limits for residential use being stored on the ground without a liner.
The findings are contrary to regulations which state contaminated materials, or materials that could potentially leach, must not be stored directly on the ground.
A notice of non-compliance was issued by the regulator on Sept. 1 with instructions for corrective action.
They include placing the contaminated soil on a liner or moving it to another part of the project area where contaminated material already exists, as well as conducting sampling of the area.
Roxanne Walsh said she began contacting various agencies in August with concerns related to the work.
Walsh said she believed contaminated soil was being used to build a berm that was located near a water source for Diamond Valley and Millarville.
A notice of non-compliance explains the requirements that a company isn’t following and often recommends a course of action, and corrections must be confirmed once they are completed, AER said.
According to the Town of Diamond Valley website, land remediation of the tank farm is being carried out by TerraLogix Solutions Inc., on behalf of landowner ConocoPhillips.
ConocoPhilips said in an earlier news release that long-term remediation work began in 2006.
The most recent phase began this summer and work is expected to be complete later this year.