Before development can begin, most sites now require a site contamination assessment to satisfy the Environmental Agency and funding (bank) requirements. This is of particular importance when dealing with the so-called 'Brown-field' sites, where there has been previous industrial usage and possible made-up ground. Former petrol station sites, bus depots, vehicle workshops, transformer sub-stations etc. also present potential problems.

There are other sites, however, which one would not normally associate with potential contamination issues, but can in fact present problems, these include those sites previously used for residential gardens, allotments, tanneries and some livestock farming purposes, such as pig farming.

Sampling is usually performed on a grid basis over the site, with samples recovered at two shallow horizons. A 'Pathfinder' suite of chemical analyses are usually performed, although additional analyses may be required, depending on the likely contaminants, particularly lubricants, fuel or heating oil, coal tar, cleaning fluids, PCB's etc.

The results of the analyses are compared with the ICRCL and HSE guidelines. Should any of the determinands exceed these guidelines, then additional analyses may be required.

TSL offer sampling and data collection services as well as factual reporting for site contamination assessment in association with Chemtest--a Division of Ground Engineering Limited.

Click also on Soil Testing and Classification opposite