The Department of National Defence will be drilling from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15 in North Bay "to better understand the level and extent of Per- and Polyfluoroalkylated Substances (PFAS) in the area," according to a DND news release.
Work will take place at various locations on 22 Wing CFB North Bay and on Carmichael Drive, south of 22 Wing between Ayr Street and Airport Road.
This drilling program will target a bedrock valley that is a key feature affecting the movement of PFAS in the area. Monitoring wells will be installed at the drilling locations to allow for groundwater sampling and testing.
See related: New federal objective puts local drinking water over PFAS limit
The DND states, "Measures are being taken to ensure minimum inconvenience to those in the area. However, residents may notice an increase in traffic and some noise while this work is underway. All drilling will be conducted during the day on weekdays only."
And questions about the drilling program can be directed to [email protected], the DND’s Contaminated Site Directorate.
PODCAST: 'There is PFAS in our municipal drinking water'
DND used fire-fighting foam containing PFAS between the early 1970s and mid-1990s at the airport site while Transport Canada owned it from 1939–98. The City of North Bay has owned the Jack Garland Airport property since 1998. It is confirmed locations on the Jack Garland site exceed current guidelines for PFAS in soil, groundwater, and surface water.
See: Deal to remove PFAS 'hot spots' to treat most contaminated soil
DND and the City of North Bay signed an agreement in 2021 to begin the remediation of the PFAS-contaminated area at Jack Garland. The $20-million contribution agreement is funded by DND at 97 per cent ($19.4 million) and the City at 3 per cent (to a maximum of $600,000). According to a City of North Bay staff report, "The shared responsibility agreements allow the City to submit a second proposal, if required, through the shared responsibility framework for additional costs of the remediation once a more detailed project estimate can be obtained."
As part of the 2021 agreement, in September, North Bay City Council approved a $7.31-million contract for "forever plastics" soil remediation work at the Jack Garland Airport by Clean Harbors Canada.
