Contaminated Land Investigations

We offer a complete contaminated land investigation and remediation service to meet our client's specific needs.

Our services may be required during property transfer, as part of a redevelopment programme or as a regulatory requirement to address operational environmental liabilities arising from soil and groundwater contamination.

Our contaminated land services are as follows:

Desktop study/Initial site assessment (Phase 1)

Initial assessment of environmental liabilities on a site based on:

A review of historical information (maps and site data);
Consultation with statutory authorities (e.g. Environment Agency, local Authority);
Geological and hydrogeological setting; and
Site walkover

Useful as a screening tool for identifying obvious environmental liabilities. In many cases where the proposed land use is to remain the same or where environmental risks have not been identified, it is not necessary to carry out any further assessment. Usually completed within five days, a faster turnaround is available at a premium.

Contaminated Site Investigation (Phase 2)

Intrusive investigation of a site typically involving:

Soil and groundwater sampling;
Chemical analysis at UKAS accredited laboratories;
Gas and groundwater monitoring;
Environmental assessment and reporting.

All site investigations are carried out by highly experienced environmental consultants. This enables us to make immediate on-site decisions in response to unknown conditions or contamination which may be encountered.

It also allows all assessment and reporting to be carried out by those who actually carried out the investigation.

Environmental Risk Assessment

An 'Environmental Risk' occurs when contamination travels from a source (e.g. leaking fuel pipe), via an identifiable pathway (e.g. underlying soils), to a receptor (e.g. groundwater). This is described as a pollution linkage. The aim of the 'Risk Assessment' is to develop a model of the site which outlines all pollutant linkages.

We are able to undertake both qualitative and detailed quantitative risk assessments (development of cleanup target levels based on modelled contaminant movement through the environment) for a site.

The management of pollutant linkages is based on a 'suitable for use approach' where the sensitivity of the site or proposed site use is considered. For example, remediation to reduce or control the risks may be required on a site proposed for residential development but not on the same site if it were to remain in use as a fuel depot or petrol filling station.

Remediation Design and Implementation

Options Appraisal: Identification of the most cost effective and environmentally beneficial remedial option to meet regulatory requirements whilst taking into account our clients business needs.
Regulatory consultation and agreement of remedial targets;
Management and on-site supervision of remediation works; and
Validation sampling and preparation of validation reports or completion statements.

We are able to pass on to our clients the benefit of our existing excellent relationships with remediation contractors. We have successfully carried out environmental remediation and validation on over 2500 sites.

Environmental Due Diligence Assessment

We offer a rapid-response environmental due diligence assessment service for our Clients prior to property transaction. This service is typically required within a tight timescale and as such we have developed a highly flexible, professional rapid-response due diligence team for managing this service.

We identify significant environmental liabilities associated with sites in relation to current legislation and guidelines, propose cost estimates to address these liabilities and then implement these remedial measures either pre or post transaction.

Clients

We have an extensive client list but most commonly undertake work for the following groups:

Fuel and chemical distributors (depots, processing plants and petrol filling stations);
Banks and financial institutions (asset valuation, pension funds)
Environmental Regulators (Environment Agency and Local Authorities)
Defence Estates (work on MOD sites)
Private developers (commercial and residential properties)
Wholesale Food Distributors; and
National house-builders.