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There are many types of Ground Water Risk Assessment, they may be required at planning, or in support of a environmental permit application. What ever the reason for you requiring a Ground Water Risk Assessment Southwest Environmental Limited ( Environmental Consultants) can help out.
In following the above steps it is possible to model impacts of you proposed activity on ground water.
This might be used to assess the discernibility of hazardous substances where background concentrations are higher than detection limits or the MRV. Alternatively it might be used for non-hazardous pollutants where the natural background concentration exceeds the relevant standard such as a drinking water standard (DWS) or environmental quality standard (EQS).
In some cases it will be appropriate to use lower concentrations than the DWS or EQS to provide satisfactory protection to a receptor. For example, it may be suitable to apply a safety factor to provide greater security to an existing drinking water supply (such as 0.75 x DWS). In other cases where the DWS or EQS represents a significantly higher concentration than the natural background quality, use of such values might represent a significant level of deterioration (for example, a DWS of 250 mg/l of chloride compared to a background concentration of for example, 30 mg/l). In these cases you may need to discuss this with us and derive a more suitable value between the MRV or background concentration and the EQS or DWS.
Investigations should include: field observations of the proposed landfill development, geological exposures and hydrogeological features such as springs installation and logging of geological boreholes and groundwater wells in-situ testing of the soil beneath the site to determine geotechnical properties laboratory testing of soil and rock materials to determine both the geotechnical and attenuating properties tracer tests and groundwater quality monitoring over time non-intrusive surface and down borehole geophysics You can find more guidance in the British Standards Institution’s code of practice for ground investigations (BS 5930:2020).
If you require SWEL to prepare a Groundwater Risk Assessment on your behalf then please contact us we would be happy to assist. We can prepare such reports on a very quick turnaround if required to do so.
A desktop study you need to research how your activity may be a ‘source’ of pollution to groundwater, the ‘pathways’ that the pollution could take to reach groundwater from your site, and the potential groundwater ‘receptors’ that could be affected by that pollution.
When groundwater is the source for public water supply, understanding the impacts of land use and aquifer vulnerability are fundamental to groundwater protection. The risks to groundwater are two-fold—adverse land use and over extraction—thus requiring a dual nature of protection . Therefore, it is important to identify which aquifer systems are at high risk in order to adopt appropriate risk management options.
A Phase 2 Site Investigation is the intrusive stage of assessing land contamination, required when a Phase 1 Desk Study identifies potential pollutant linkages. This stage involves the collection of physical samples from the ground to verify the presence, extent, and concentration of contaminants. By moving from qualitative theory to quantitative data, a Phase 2 report provides the scientific evidence needed to determine if a site is fit for use or if a Phase 3 Remediation strategy is required to protect human health and the environment.
The methodology for a Phase 2 investigation is site-specific, dictated by the suspected contaminants and the local geology. Common intrusive techniques include the excavation of trial pits and the drilling of boreholes using window sampling or cable percussion rigs. These methods allow for the systematic collection of soil and groundwater samples at various depths. All sampling is conducted in accordance with BS 10175, ensuring that the data is robust enough to satisfy the requirements of local planning authorities and the Environment Agency.
Samples collected during the field investigation are submitted to UKAS and MCERTS accredited laboratories for chemical analysis. This typically includes testing for heavy metals, hydrocarbons, asbestos, and other site-specific chemicals of concern. The resulting data is then compared against Generic Assessment Criteria (GAC) as part of a Generic Quantitative Risk Assessment (GQRA). If concentrations exceed these thresholds, a more detailed site-specific risk assessment may be necessary to evaluate the actual risk posed to receptors, such as future residents or local groundwater resources.
In addition to soil sampling, a Phase 2 investigation often includes the installation of monitoring wells to assess groundwater quality and ground gas concentrations. Monitoring is typically conducted over several weeks to capture seasonal variations and atmospheric pressure changes. This data is vital for designing effective mitigation measures, such as ground gas protection membranes, which are detailed in a bespoke Phase 3 Remediation Method Statement. Understanding these subsurface conditions early is essential for preventing unforeseen costs during the construction phase.
A professional Phase 2 report is a critical document for discharging planning conditions and facilitating property transactions. Our reports provide the "True Data" required for a successful Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and ensure that development projects proceed on a foundation of scientific certainty. With over 900 projects delivered across the UK, SWEL brings the technical authority and professional accreditation (IES) required to manage complex ground risks and secure regulatory approval for your project.