Case Studies: Soil Remediation

Does the site contain unknown quantities of hazardous contaminated soils and what is left onsite is it suitable for housing development?

Client: TAL Ltd, Lisburn, Co Down

The Problem

Within the side streets of the lower Springfield Road in the early part of the twentieth century there had existed a Brass foundry.

The contamination had been assessed on the open exposed ground at many identified hot spots and the contamination was identified as Chromium and Nickel at levels above thresholds unsuitable for residential development.

The consultant who undertook the initial assessment was unable to assess areas under the concrete foundations.  They were also unable to ensure that the site contained no Hazardous waste.

The on-site building contractor was therefore unsure if the contaminated material to be removed off site to a Licenced Landfill was either non hazardous waste or hazardous waste and therefore should go to a different site or if all the material was Non Hazardous.

The Solution

After a detailed review of the site it was decided to have a Chemist on site during the days of waste removal with a series of test kits designed for the major key contaminants.

The Test kits were a simple and cost effective means of checking each load of soil to ensure that it was either inert, non hazardous or hazardous waste.

The Benefits

All waste that left the site went to the correct disposal route.

Soils that remained on site were checked for their suitability which therefore allowed the client to be assured that remaining soils were clean and fit for purpose.

All unknowns regarding the possibility of hazardous waste were resolved on site.