Our Emma Kirk, Engineering Geologist, was pleased to attend the CIRIA virtual conference today ‘Dealing with Persistent and Emerging Land Contaminants’ which explored current practices in risk management for persistent and emerging land contaminants.
‘Brownfield’ land is a term used to describe previously used/developed land that has later become unoccupied, derelict, or identified to be contaminated. UK Brownfield land can require potentially significant investigation, assessment, and remedial works prior to development.
The UK has a wide-ranging legacy of brownfield land, the development of which the government and local authorities actively encourage, to maintain continued regeneration and keep up with the ever-growing demand for residential and commercial developments, whilst preserving our greenfield sites.
Today’s informative event discussed the best practice of risk management for persistent and emerging contaminants in soil and ground water. A range of industry experts discussed the potential adverse human and ecological impacts and how these risks should be managed. Practical solutions to deal with contaminants were presented by regulators.
ESP have wide-ranging experience in the assessment of brownfield sites, which often begins with a Phase 1 Desk Study at an early stage prior to purchase of the land. Where the potential for contaminated land is either anticipated or known (due to site use and/or previous preliminary investigation), a more detailed Contaminated Land Risk Assessment can be implemented from the offset. Intrusive investigation works will generally always be required to enable detailed assessment of the existing and potential risks from contamination. Methods commonly comprise trial pit excavations and borehole (cable percussion and rotary drilled) exploration techniques. Dependant on the findings, subsequent phases of monitoring to establish the long term hydrology at a site. Final stages of remediation and validation may then also be undertaken, to ensure the pollutant risk has been removed/mitigated and that evidence presented to regulators and other stakeholders.
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