Environmental Site Investigation
at a Land Agency Site

REDS Environmental Consultancy was commissioned to complete an environmental site investigation of specific areas of the farm where it was suspected there could have been historic contamination.

Project Scope

The site comprised a working farm, where a land agent was negotiating a change in tenancy on behalf of the landowner. REDS Environmental Consultancy was commissioned to complete an environmental site investigation of specific farm areas where it was suspected that there could have been historic contamination.

We targeted our site investigation in three areas:

• Location of a former diesel tank (commonly found on farm sites and often not compliant with oil fuel storage regulations).
• Area of land where waste materials were noted, suspected to be historic farm waste tip.
• The area of land where records show a former farm building was located and subsequently demolished

Site Investigation

We initially completed a full desk-based review of the farm location, assessing environmental site sensitivity, historical information and identifying potential at risk receptors. We also obtained public utility information to confirm the location of any mains services in the vicinity.

We then completed an intrusive environmental site investigation comprising the construction of a combination of boreholes and trial pits across the three areas of concern. Residual contamination was encountered in the vicinity of the fuel tank and the former farm tip area was found to contain a range of wastes, including suspected asbestos containing materials. Potential contamination was delineated and characterised, with soil samples collected for subsequent chemical analysis.

Project Result

Our investigation data was used to compile a Conceptual Site Model and complete a Generic Quantitative Risk Assessment for the site.

We then designed a suitable remedial strategy for the site. We provided a costed solution for the upgrading of the fuel installation, as part of a review of our review contamination liabilities for presentation to the landlord.