Contaminated land
Ground contamination presents numerous problems and questions when developing and re-using land. Land-owners, developers, local authorities and other regulatory bodies are amongst those requiring instructive and constructive investigation and assessment of such land in order to facilitate principle decisions when considering sale and purchase of land alongside the implications of particular development plans and potential remedial measures for achieving a ‘suitable for use’ objective prior to development.
CMT Environmental services provide structured investigation of contaminated land from initial documentary (desktop) studies through to recommendations on appropriate remedial strategies. Information obtained is suitable for site specific risk assessment in accordance with the current DEFRA/EA regulatory framework.
Legal requirements for the development and re-use of contaminated land are met via a progressive approach which involves:
Phase l Desk Study & Site Walkover
Appraisal of documentary material with respect to:
- Previous history of the site
- Other site uses
- Adjacent land and features
- Geology, hydrogeology hydrology
- Environmental Sensitivity
- Collection of relevant data including site history and potentially contaminative land uses
- Identification of structures
- Identification of potentially sensitive targets and possible migration pathways
- Location of surface waters and discharges from site
Phase 1 study provides an initial conceptual site model based on the “Source-Pathway-Receptor” pollution linkage and will assess the likelihood and magnitude of the potential impact to sensitive receptors.
Phase ll Intrusive Site Investigation
Formulation of a suitable intrusive investigation strategy:
- Selection of appropriate equipment and techniques
- Specific/non-specific targeting and sampling of soils and waters
- Detection and monitoring of ground gases
- Additional investigation as appropriate
- Appropriate chemical suites for soils and ground waters
- Additional and specific chemical analyses
- Composition of ground gases
- Geotechnical testing
- On site testing of excavations for delineation of contamination
- Quick ‘look-see’ results for expedient decision making
- Ideal for: tank removal investigation, spill delineation and environmental decision making
A range of risk assessment models can be run to assess the likelihood and magnitude of contamination and the impact posed to sensitive receptors, the assessments can include:
- Statistical Analysis
- CLEA Beta Version
- P20 (Remedial Targets 3.1) modelling
- BRE Clean Cover Systems
- Risk Based Corrective Action
Detailed interpretive contamination report, identification of potential hazards to health, the environment and other receptors presented in terms of a refined conceptual model with corresponding risk assessment and recommendations for practical cost effective remedial action.
Phase lll Remediation/Validation (where required)
Remediation statements, validation sampling, testing and reporting including overall validation report
| Efficient investigations – effective geo-environmental solutions. |