Contaminated Land Risk Assessment Ireland
Contaminated land is soil, ground or surface water that has been polluted by hazardous substances or contaminants. The industrial heritage of the UK has left a legacy of previously developed land across the country including brownfield sites, although greenfield areas can be contaminated too. Completion of contaminated land risk assessments is often an important step to undertake for new initiatives as more developments on such sites take place.
What Is a Contaminated Land Risk Assessment?
Contaminated land risk assessments evaluates and analyses risks linked to contaminants in an environment or substance. To be successful, the impact of the contamination hazard has to be understood and mitigated against beginning with a contaminated land risk assessment, which is commonly undertaken in a phased approach to ensure thorough assessment and targeted investigation/remediation. The phases of work are generally:
- Site Reconnaissance and Desk Study Assessment;
- Intrusive Investigation – targeting and geo-hazards identified in Stage 1 with suitable investigation methods;
- Remediation – to ensure the pollutant linkage to the development and/or site end user is broken e.g by methods such as removing or the in-situ treatment of contaminated soils;
- Validation – Validation works are carried out to demonstrate that the hazards identified in stages 1 and 2 have been suitably remediated by the works undertaken in Stage 3. Often 3rd Party or Regulator liaison/verification will be required at this stage.
Why is Land Contaminated?
Land is classified as contaminated for several reasons including:
- Source of contamination on site or nearby: If there is a contaminant such as chemicals, asbestos, heavy metals, petroleum products, industrial waster or other harmful substances like pesticides from agricultural activity on the land in question or nearby.
- Link between contamination source and receptor: This is a circumstance when a link can be found between the contamination source and the receptor for example a pollutant being inhaled by a person.
- Pollutant affecting the receptor: When pollutants from the contaminated land causes harm to health.
When are Contaminated Land Risk Assessment Needed?
Under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities and the Environment Agency are responsible for enforcing and regulating land quality. While local planning authorities require contaminated land risk assessments as part of the planning approval process. This ensures land contamination does not result in unacceptable risk to future developments.
Several circumstances require the completion of contaminated land risk assessments including:
- Land Purchase: To assess risks before purchasing land.
- Site Development: To assure safety before and during construction and usage.
- Regulatory Compliance: To conform to relevant environmental regulations.
- Fufilling Planning Conditions: To meet specific requirements for development approval.
If a proper risk assessment is not conducted promptly, it can result in legal issues, financial liabilities along with health risks for the community and stakeholders. It’s critical for developers and local authorities to prioritise contaminated land risk assessments to safeguard public health and the environment.
Land Contamination Assessment Services In Ireland
We are experienced in performing tiered risk assessments, using methodologies dictated within published guidance, and using quantitative risk assessment models, to derive site specific remedial targets for a range of receptors. These include health assessments from soil contamination, controlled water risks assessments, and ground gas assessments.
As a result of the assessments we will undertake/contribute to the design, implementation and validation of any mitigation measures or remediation schemes.
Developing Conceptual Models is an essential part of any geo-assessment. It requires a detailed knowledge of the geology, hydrogeology, and the nature of the contaminants. We have the knowledge necessary to produce accurate, defensible Conceptual Models and have done so on a wide variety of sites. These have included mine workings, industrial facilities and at dock land where complicated groundwater regimes are common.
ESP Extensive Knowledge & Experience
An extensive knowledge of the history and nature of the contaminants is also necessary. ESP has a proven track record on many different sites with a wide variety of contaminants, including hydrocarbons, heavy metals and pesticides.
ESP have also recently been involved in the assessment of landfill materials in an estuary environment, utilising investigation and testing methods to determine the ‘life stage’ of the landfill and the potential effects on the surrounding environment. We use a range of accredited laboratories for sample analysis to ensure accurate and efficient turnaround, all of which is important in developing an accurate Conceptual Model.
Numerical modelling is a valuable tool for generating an accurate representation of the dispersion of contamination across a site. This requires a detailed understanding of the geology and groundwater regime and an in-depth knowledge of a number of different software programs. Deterministic and probabilistic methods are important in developing the understanding of contaminant behaviour and migration pathways in a tiered approach.
How Do We Complete a Contaminated Land Risk Assessment?
At ESP we use a suite of software programs including Surfer, QGIS, CLEA and a number of different Excel based programs including those developed by the Environment Agency and US Government. As each project and site has different requirements, our numerical modelling selections are tailored to suit individual needs and requirements.
A detailed understanding of the site conditions as well as current land and environmental legislation is vital to the carrying out of both qualitative and quantitative risk assessments. Earth Science Partnership provides the skills necessary to delineate sources, pathways and contamination receptors, using Environment Agency and other authoritative guidance.
Risk assessment is often cost effective as in many cases the delineation of contamination, along with understanding the geological conditions, can significantly reduce or eliminate remediation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Risks of Contaminated Land?
Contaminated land poses a range of significant risks to humans, animals and the environment:
- Human Health Risks: Soil contaminants can cause various health complications including respiratory issues, skin disease and long term illnesses such as cancer. This risk is particularly acute for children due to their behaviour (for example playing, touching the ground)
- Groundwater Pollution: Contaminants and pollution can infiltrate groundwater, also impacting water sources for drinking. This type of pollution can have serious implications for public health, agriculture and ecosystems.
- Hazardous Ground Gases: Legacy landfills can produce hazardous ground gases like methane and carbon dioxide. These gases can accumulate in buildings, posing health risks and even creating potential explosive hazards.
- Infrastructure Damage: Contaminants can cause structural damage to buildings, leading to costly repairs. In some cases, certain contaminants may increase the risk of fire or explosions, especially in industrial areas.
Why Choose ESP Ireland?
ESPs approach to Contaminated Land Risk Assessment proves cost effective and reduces the remediation requirements to ensure stakeholder resources are only invested to address the critical hazards identified, maximising your investment. Cost benefit reviews conducted at each stage can often support this too. Our service is tailored to suit individual site needs and regulatory requirements and for examples of previous contaminated land risk assessments please see our case study below.
ESP Client Testimonials
Take a look at a few of our excellent client reviews below. Click here to read more on Google.
“Having used the services of Earth Science Partnership on two previous occasions, we had no reservations about employing them for a third time. They are very professional and produce excellent detailed reports on what they are able to do. They are prepared to listen to everything you require and would highly recommend them.”
Roberta M.
“ESP undertook some thorough CMRA (Coal Mining Risk Assessment) works for our site. They showed a surprising level of knowledge into the historical mining methods and establishment of mining sites. Prompt and in-depth reporting and great communication, would definitely recommend.”
Josh P.
“ESP have done some excellent GI works for me and produced some excellent in depth reports for our client (Network Rail)”
Oliver S.
Our Contaminated Land Services in Ireland
Earth Science Partnership proudly offers our full range of contaminated land services across Ireland and Northern Ireland. We have considerable experience working in the area and have completed works previously, or can offer our services in the following notable locations, among many more:
- Dublin
- Belfast
- Cork
- Limerick
- Galway
- Derry
- Newtonabbey
- Bangor
- Waterford
- Lisburn
- Drogheda
- Dundalk
- Swords
Author: Matthew Eynon, Director
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I am a UK Registered Ground Engineering Specialist and Chartered Engineering & Environmental Geologist with significant experience in Site Hazard Assessment, Remediation, Design, and Implementation across the Geoenvironmental and Geotechnical sectors in the UK and abroad. I often work in multi-disciplinary teams advising other engineering and design professionals on the implications of ground hazards. My work involves undertaking design, planning, management, and reporting of ground investigations, including investigations for new developments, and many bespoke studies including the assessment of hydrogeological settings, materials for earthworks, the impact of abandoned mine workings, remediation and stability assessment of soil and rock slopes/landslides, most notably the Pantteg Landslide in the Swansea Valley for which I have guided and presented assessments to Local Authority officers and the general public. |
Page Last Updated: 24th September 2024