With finite land availability and a growing population in the UK, we are committed to bringing brownfield land back into use for the benefit of local communities and the environment. Our team of environmental consultants deliver robust evaluations of contaminated land and water quality to support our clients in managing the associated environmental liability, plan future investment and realise asset value for landowners, developers and regulators.
Failing to deal adequately with contamination can cause harm to human health, rivers, groundwater, property and the wider environment. It can also limit or preclude new development; and undermine compliance with Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Guidance on Land Affected by Contamination – gov.uk
Contaminated land remediation
The cleaning and treatment of contaminated land or soil is referred to as remediation – which is often required to ensure land is no longer a threat to human health or the environment at large.
The identification, risk assessment and remediation of land contamination – as part of a commitment to sustainable land reuse – requires specialist geoenvironmental and multi-disciplinary skills and experience. Sweco understands that developing a robust conceptual understanding of even the most complex of sites is critical to providing effective and proportionate brownfield or soil remedial solutions. Find out more about our material management service here.
Unearthing opportunities for sustainable land reuse
Our contaminated land remediation consultants and engineering specialists undertake thorough and timely remediation options appraisals to establish a remediation strategy for a given site. We provide outline and detailed design services to ensure successful implementation of the remediation strategy. Our engineers supervise site works and provide verification in line with regulator and client requirements – including compliance with Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
We are experienced in assessing and implementing a range of remediation techniques including:
Soil chemical oxidation
Bioremediation
Stabilisation
Soil washing
Soil vapour extraction
Air Sparging
Thermal Desorption
Soil disposal
Excavation/dredging
Pump and treat
In a range of sectors, we work closely with our clients and wider project teams to develop remedial solutions that achieve regulatory compliance and are proportionate but robust for the particular site and project, often providing value-add solutions for wider Sweco or partnership projects including urban regeneration and infrastructure (roads, water, energy etc.).
Remediation of contaminated land protects our environment (rivers, groundwater and ecology) from pollution. It brings disused ‘brownfield’ land back into use and supports the regeneration of our cities and urban areas – and also ensures compliance with Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Our team of contaminated land assessment experts will improve your understanding of potential environmental impacts from contaminated land and support you in developing strategies for protecting the environment.
The importance of robust risk assessment
At Sweco, we understand the issues associated with contaminated land from site developer, funder and end-user perspectives and can develop sustainable risk-driven solutions to enable their objectives.
Whether the need for contaminated land assessment and/or remediation arises from regulatory action, planning requirements, property transactions or ongoing portfolio management, we provide focused, bespoke advice to meet any client’s requirements.
Organisations with contaminated sites face significant regulatory, financial and reputational risks. Successfully managing this liability and developing a regulatory position for these sites so that they can be put to more productive use (or divested) is a core area of our expertise.
Contaminated land, brownfield sites and reclamation/regeneration schemes are often complex requiring a co-ordinated approach to due diligence, feasibility, planning support and regulatory approvals.
The risk assessment process for contaminated land
Preliminary Risk Assessment (Tier 1)
Often referred to as desk study or Phase 1 report, this comprises review of existing data, development of an initial conceptual site model (CSM) and qualitative risk assessment to assess potential impacts on human health, water and the wider environment.
Generic Quantitative Risk Assessment (Tier 2)
Also referred to as a phase 2 assessment, this involves gathering site specific information through site investigation (ground investigation). A generic quantitative risk assessment (GQRA) is undertaken using chemical analysis data to assess risks to human health, rivers and groundwater. An updated conceptual site model is produced as part of the assessment. This phase of assessment will identify whether further assessment or remediation is required.
Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment (Tier 3)
This is the assessment of risks to human health, rivers and groundwater using specialist modelling packages to produce site specific assessment criteria, and may require further site investigation. An updated conceptual site model is produced as part of the assessment. This phase of assessment will identify whether remediation is required and will support the development of appropriate remedial targets.
Case study: Sustainable hydrocarbon remediation using solar power at Redheugh gasworks, UK
Sweco is proud to have our paper on sustainable hydrocarbon remediation (co-authored by our geo-environmental lead Emma King) published by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). This in-depth case study demonstrates how the use of a renewable energy source (solar power) can be an effective means of powering remediation equipment.
In summary, the Sweco and Geo2 Remediation Ltd project team provided Northern Gas Networks with a durable remediation solution that helps them to manage environmental risks from historical contamination at their site in the North East of England. The remediation design was supported by a robust sustainability appraisal and delivered carbon savings of 61 tonnes of CO2 equivalent compared to using a more conventional energy source such as petrol-powered generators.
Together with our clients and the collective knowledge of our 22,000 engineers, consultants and other specialists, we co-create solutions to address urbanisation, capture the power of digitalisation, and make our societies more sustainable. With international multi-disciplinary teams, we can call on the right insight and technical capability at the right time from across Buildings, Infrastructure, Advisory & Planning and Compliance.
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