CONTAMINATED SITE ASSESSMENT

Identification of potential environmental risk, corporate due diligence, statutory requirements.

Contaminated and potentially contaminated land can have major economic, legal, social and planning implications for the community. Contamination to soil and groundwater can limit land use potential or increase costs for developers, property owners and local authorities. The investigation and clean-up of site contamination is important to protect the environment, human health and assets.

General awareness of contamination and methods to resolve site contamination issues has increased as land demand continues to grow, and the affects of contamination on human health and the environment become better understood. Increasingly, organisations and government departments have fostered a greater understanding in the community of the social, environmental and commercial effects of contaminated land issues, commensurate with developments in legislation and environmental risk sciences which drive requirements for the assessment of site contamination.

Contaminated and potentially contaminated site assessment is a multi-disciplinary scientific process for identification of land contamination issues, and which yields a basis to determine appropriate and tailored management steps that can be implemented to mitigate human health and environmental risks, and minimise net financial liabilities and the financial risk associated with a site.

The Bureau Veritas HSE Pty Ltd Contaminated Site Assessment Team comprises a highly experienced group of scientists and engineers from a wide range of disciplines, who are able to plan, implement and manage cost effective contaminated site investigations. The type and scale of investigation required varies according to particular site issues, and the client’s obligations and objectives. In general, the investigation process provided by Bureau Veritas is based on the identification of actual risks to the environment and human health and responsible management of contaminated land, with consideration of conservation and management of resources, and protection of public health and the environment. Drivers for the design of contaminated site assessment include:

- Liaison with clients to identify objectives, constraints and opportunities;
- Gain a detailed understanding of the nature and extent of site contamination;
- Identify site-specific ecological and human health receptors and potential contamination;
- Professional and technical expertise from an experienced team consisting of scientists, hydrogeologists, engineers and Environmental Auditors (Contaminated Land);
- Responsible management of contamination taking into consideration local planning and statutory requirements; and
- Good relationship with regulatory authorities and working through the regulatory process to meet client objectives.

Our company or principal staff accreditations include:
- ISO 9001 Quality Management System;
- Three (3) EPA appointed Environmental Auditors (Contaminated Land) – Victoria;
- One (1) DEC appointed Contaminated Sites Auditor – Western Australia;
- NATA Accredited Soils Testing Laboratory (asbestos);
- Member of Australian Contaminated Land Consultants Association (ACLCA) – Victoria and Western Australia;
- Member and bronze level sponsor of Australasian Land and Groundwater Association (ALGA).

Our approach includes:

Project Inception Meeting: A meeting held with the client and principal Bureau Veritas staff to discuss the project objectives, constraints and opportunities and gather all relevant data that may assist in Bureau Veritas’ understanding of the historical development and potential contamination sources at the site.

Site Inspection: A physical inspection of the site is conducted to observe the current condition and layout of the site to identify potentially contaminating activities and/or areas of the site.

Preliminary Site Assessment: Dependant on client needs, a preliminary site investigation may be undertaken using relevant records of previous land use to determine whether there has been potentially contaminating land use, the nature of probable contaminants and likely locations of contamination to assist in site acquisition and due diligence advice. At this stage a Sampling and Analysis Plan is developed for intrusive soil and groundwater investigations, if considered necessary.

Detailed Site Assessment: A detailed environmental site assessment can include an intrusive investigation of soil and groundwater to assess the nature and extent of identified contamination. A detailed site assessment can be extensive and may include several episodes of investigation and monitoring to achieve the level of investigation, delineation and characterisation of site contamination. and clean-up required.

Data Analysis: The results of a detailed site assessment may be used to implement remediation or carry out a risk assessment according to the proposed use of the site.

Reporting: Preparation of a factual report providing recommendations for remediation or follow-up monitoring where required.

Liasion with Environmental Auditor: Where an Environmental Auditor is appointed to a project, Bureau Veritas will liaise with the Auditor and client to produce efficient and quality project outcomes.