EnviroSite FAQ

1. I purchased the EnviroSite report and some (or all) fields contained no information.
2. How do I find a consultant if I need further environmental site work done?
3. I noticed incorrect information in an EnviroSite report. Who do I contact at The City to have the error corrected?
4. What kinds of information will EnviroSite provide?
5. I purchased an EnviroSite report, however I believe the information is incomplete.
6. My EnviroSite report shows the number of petroleum storage tanks on the property. Where does this information come from?
7. Is EnviroSite the same as a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment report?
8. Can I obtain the information provided by EnviroSite report through The City of Calgary's FOIP office?
9. How can I obtain the environmental reports referenced in EnviroSite Report?
10. What are the fees charged for EnviroSite?
11. Can I be invoiced for EnviroSite?
12. What is the expected turnaround time for the responses to the requests?
13. With EnviroSite will I be able to obtain recent underground storage tank information or spills and releases information?
14. The former Site Inquiry Service provided site-specific Bylaw records (complaints and incidents of an environmental nature) and Water Resources information. How do I access this information now?
15. Why are there random lines of various colours on the Mapview Map? What does this mean?
16. What is a landfill setback?
17. I entered my address but it will not allow me to see the information. A message came up that read "Condo Master Account Please search each unit for information (#20010)" What does this mean?

1. I purchased the EnviroSite report and some (or all) fields contained no information.

EnviroSite provides known environmental data for the site. It is possible that no data will be found for some or even all of the report's fields. If no environmental reports are found, this does not indicate there is no contamination. What it does indicate is that any possible contamination has not been investigated and documented.

2. How do I find a consultant if I need further environmental site work done?

Environmental consultants are listed in telephone and business directories. EnviroSite provides the authors of environmental reports, which are typically environmental site consultants.

3. I noticed incorrect information in an EnviroSite report. Who do I contact at The City to have the error corrected?

Contact The City of Calgary Environmental & Safety Management business unit who are the managers of the EnviroSite data source.

4. What kinds of information will EnviroSite provide?

EnviroSite is a property report showing a historical list of commercial and industrial users occupying a site, including the years of operation and the types of land use. It also provides a historical number of petroleum storage tanks on the site. Finally, the report provides the titles and author/publisher of any environmental assessment reports that have been written and submitted to The City of Calgary.

5. I purchased an EnviroSite report, however I believe the information is incomplete.

EnviroSite is not a comprehensive search of the subject site and surrounding 100m. It is information that The City of Calgary has obtained regarding these properties. The City of Calgary is not aware of every property with the potential for contamination. Purchasers of EnviroSite are encouraged to conduct additional research, including those services provided by environmental consultants.

6. My EnviroSite report shows the number of petroleum storage tanks on the property. Where does this information come from?

Data for petroleum storage tanks is historical, obtained in 1996 from the Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta. This information is historical and may have changed over the years. It is intended for informational use only.

7. Is EnviroSite the same as a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment report?

No, EnviroSite is a list of The City of Calgary's Environmental and Safety Management's records contain in the SIMS (Site Information Management System) database. EnviroSite information may be included in a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment report, but it is not a phase I Environmental Site Assessment.  For information on a Phase One Environmental Site Assessment - environmental consultants may be contacted or Canadian Standards may be reviewed.

8. Can I obtain the information provided by EnviroSite report through The City of Calgary's FOIP office?

According to Section 29(1) and 29(1)(a.1) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act, if a public body has a routine release process for information, then the public body is not required to release the information through a FOIP request. Therefore information obtained through The City's EnviroSite service would not be obtained through the FOIP Office. Information disclosed in the EnviroSite report is subject to FOIP regulations and personal information will not be included. You will receive all information that is releasable under the FOIP Act.

9. How can I obtain the environmental reports referenced in EnviroSite Report?

The author and/or owner of the report can be approached to obtain the report. Alternatively, a request to obtain the documents under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) could be made to Alberta Environment, the Calgary Health Region and/or The City of Calgary.

10. What are the fees charged for EnviroSite?

EnviroSite sold through CITYonline is billed for cost recovery. A standard fee pertains to the inquiry of one municipal address. The present standard fee is $125.00.

11. Can I be invoiced for EnviroSite?

Yes, EnviroSite is available using a credit card or invoice through the online service named CITYonline. Visit CITYonline's Web site for more information on this service.

12. What is the expected turnaround time for the responses to the requests?

Once logged in to CITYonline, reports are downloaded a few moments after submitting a search.

13. With EnviroSite will I be able to obtain recent underground storage tank information or spills and releases information?

No. The Calgary Fire Department has a separate source of environmental information. For a fee, requests can be made for information on storage tanks, spills and releases, occurrences and hazardous materials. For more information on this service, visit the Calgary Fire Department's web site.

14. The former Site Inquiry Service provided site-specific Bylaw records (complaints and incidents of an environmental nature) and Water Resources information. How do I access this information now?

Please call 3-1-1 or (403) 268-2489 for information on accessing Bylaw and Water Resources records.

15. Why are there random lines of various colours on the Mapview Map?  What does this mean?

These are easement lines.  There are 5 categories of easement lines and they each have a different colour. 

The categories of easements include:

16. What is a landfill setback?

Landfill setbacks are restrictions for property development near landfills. For certain types of development, active landfills have a 450m setback distance and inactive landfills have a 300m setback distance. For more information on landfill setback, visit the Waste & Recycling Services: Development Permit Review & Requirements or call 3-1-1 or (403) 268-2489 from outside of Calgary.

17. I entered my address but it will not allow me to see the information. A message came up that read "Condo Master Account Please search each unit for information (#20010)" What does this mean?

CITYonline is set up such that if the parcel you are interested in includes condos or townhouses then you must search by individual condo number or townhouse number.