What are the stages of contaminated land assessment?

The assessment of contaminated land is usually done in phases. Investigation and remediation are usually divided into four distinct phases.

Phase 1: Desk Study and Site Assessment

To understand the history of a site, its setting and any potential contamination issues, a preliminary risk assessment must be conducted. The report on contaminated land can include a desk study, consultation with local authorities and a reconnaissance survey.

A desk study reveals any evidence of previous contaminative activities on a proposed agriculture development. It could have had a significant impact on the client’s business, requiring more intrusive measures.

Phase 2: Intrusive Investigation

In the event that the desk study of the contaminated land report indicates the potential for contamination, a site investigation will be necessary. The risk assessment will help determine if there are unacceptable risks to the environment, people or property.

The type of work that is required will depend on the information contained in the report. The work can be as simple as a soil sample using hand dug pits, drilling boreholes, testing soil and monitoring groundwater or gas.

Phase 3: Remediation

In the event that an intrusive inspection identifies unacceptable risks, remediation or mitigation may be necessary to allow a project to move forward. Remediation is the process of cleaning up a site in order to make it safe and usable. For a Land Remediation Service, visit soilfix.co.uk/services/soil-and-groundwater-remediation

Phase 4: Verification

After remediation, verification (or validation) is undertaken to show that the remediation has been successful in removing the pollution link and restoring the site’s suitability for use.

Sagar Taylor

Taylor

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