Contaminated Land Assessment and Remediation

SOCOTEC and Wiser Group partnership

Challenge

Many development sites across the UK carry a historical legacy of industrial activity, leaving behind soil contamination that poses potential risks to human health and the wider environment. Understanding the nature and extent of this type of contamination is essential before any redevelopment can proceed safely.

In this particular scenario, a client's site had a documented history of contamination, with unknown contaminants deposited across the area, relating back to previous industrial use. Without a comprehensive understanding of the contamination profile, the site remained a potential liability, preventing safe development and posing risks to sensitive receptors in the surrounding environment.

Manual investigation alone would be insufficient to fully characterise the contamination and develop an appropriate remediation strategy. Given the complexity of historical contamination and the potential for various pollutants, a collaborative partnership between contaminated land specialists and analytical testing experts was essential in order to deliver accurate risk assessments and cost-effective solutions.

Project Description and Background

The Wiser Group was commissioned to undertake a phased contaminated land investigation, working in close partnership with SOCOTEC UK & Ireland to deliver specialised laboratory analysis and technical expertise.

To enable the safe redevelopment of the site, a comprehensive contaminated land assessment was required, the project aiming to identify contaminants present in the soil, assess the risks to human health and the environment, and develop an appropriate remediation strategy if required.

The investigation needed to follow industry-standard protocols, beginning with a Phase 1 Desk Study to review historical site use, followed by a Phase 2 intrusive investigation to collect and analyse soil samples. This structured approach ensured the contamination was fully characterised and risks properly evaluated.

The collaboration between SOCOTEC and Wiser Group enabled seamless integration of site investigation with high-quality analytical testing, ensuring that any urgent issues could be addressed quickly and that technical challenges were resolved through combined expertise.

Talk to our experts

Amy Parekh-Pross

Technical Associate, Environmental Science

amy.parekh-pross@socotec.co.uk 07795302325

Solution

As part of delivering this investigation, Wiser Group deployed a phased contaminated land assessment methodology, consisting of the following stages:

Phase 1 Desk Study: A detailed review of site history was conducted, examining historical maps, plans, and environmental data to identify potential sources of contamination and establish a conceptual site model. This included reviewing records of previous industrial activities and identifying potential pollutant linkages.
A thorough site inspection was undertaken to assess current site conditions and identify any visual evidence of contamination, such as staining, unusual odours, or stressed vegetation.
Phase 2 Intrusive Investigation: Soil samples were collected from strategic locations across the site and submitted to SOCOTEC's accredited laboratories for comprehensive chemical analysis. Testing was tailored to the site's historical use and included analysis for heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and other contaminants relevant to the site's industrial legacy.
SOCOTEC provided specialist analytical testing services and technical support throughout the project. Our expertise in contaminated land analysis ensured that testing protocols were optimised, results were accurately interpreted, and any unusual findings were investigated thoroughly. Regular collaboration meetings between SOCOTEC and Wiser Group ensured that client issues were understood and communicated effectively, with high-level technical expertise available to resolve complex challenges.
Following laboratory analysis, a detailed risk assessment was conducted to evaluate potential risks to human health and the environment, considering various exposure pathways and sensitive receptors in the site vicinity.
Based on the findings, a tailored remediation strategy was developed to address identified contamination and enable safe site redevelopment.

The collaborative approach between SOCOTEC and Wiser Group ensured that the client received comprehensive support throughout the project, from initial site investigation through to remediation strategy development.

Conclusion

The Wiser Group’s implementation of the phased contaminated land assessment, supported by SOCOTEC’s analytical expertise, delivered significant value to the client.

The comprehensive investigation successfully characterised the contamination profile across the site, providing the client with a clear understanding of the environmental risks and enabling informed decision-making for site redevelopment.

The risk assessment determined that contamination levels posed a low risk to the environment and sensitive receptors within the site vicinity and surrounding areas, providing reassurance to stakeholders and enabling the project to progress.

By combining field expertise with laboratory excellence, the SOCOTEC-Wiser Group partnership delivered results that supported safe and cost-effective site remediation.