Contaminated Land Investigations

Contaminated Land Investigations may be necessary

  • when a site is being redeveloped,
  • as part of the due dliligence process during land purchases,
  • following a pollution incident, or
  • as part of a site condition report under the PPC regulations.

Environmental Evaluation has extensive experience in undertaking contaminated land investigations in all of these instances.

The investigations will vary depending on the specific situation and will follow, where appropriate, the procedures detailed in:

  • BS 10175: 2001: ‘Code of Practice for the investigation of potentially contaminated sites.’
  • Environmental Protection Act 1990, Part IIA (as detailed in the Environment Act 1995) and the associated Contaminated Land (England) Regulations 2006;
  • Contaminated Land Exposure Assessments (CLEA) and Contaminated Land Reports published by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

The investigation may result in up to three phases being required and these are detailed below;

Phase 1 Desktop Study

A desk top study would be undertaken which would address:

  • the history of site use, identifying potentially contaminating activities and processes which may have been undertaken;
  • the geology and hydrology of the site;
  • historical and current use of adjacent land which may affect the development site;
  • identification of potential sources, pathways and receptors which may affect, or be affected by, the proposed development;
  • identification of the extent to which a physical site investigation (Phase 2 study) may be required.

Phase 2 Site Investigation

Should the desk top study indicate that there is significant potential for the site to be contaminated in a manner which may be detrimental to, or arise as a result of, the proposed development than a physical site investigation may be required.

This could include some or all of the following:

  • digging trial pits/drilling of boreholes, logging of appearance and nature of materials from the boreholes, and testing of samples for analysis;
  • analysis of samples for substances and materials as indicated by the findings of the Phase 1 study;
  • gas monitoring if the requirement is indicated by the Phase 1 study;
  • evaluation of the data collected from the site investigation, sampling and measurement exercise to determine whether there is contamination, and what potential there is for harm to be caused to or by the development;
  • preparation of a report detailing the methods and findings of the study and containing recommendations for remediation measures as appropriate.

Phase 3 Remediation, Recommendations and Reports

Should the site investigation indicate the need for remediation prior to, or as part of, the proposed development Environmental Evaluation Ltd. could undertake:

  • preparation of a detailed remediation programme;
  • attendance at site to monitor, verify and validate the remedial measures undertaken;
  • preparation of a remediation report and completion statement.