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Contaminated Land
Common Questions

> What can cause contaminated land?
> What is contaminated land?
> Who conducts the remediation of contaminated land?
> Who will pay for remediation?
 
What can cause contaminated land?
Contamination of land can be caused by a number of factors including many industrial processes. The spillage of oil/fuel/chemicals/contaminated water onto land could have the potential to contaminate land. Spill kits, drip trays, secondary containment on fuel tanks etc can help prevent contain spills and leaks which could lead to contaminated land.
 
What is contaminated land?
Contaminated land is land which has been polluted either by previous uses or naturally occurring contaminants. Some of the previous activities which have been known to cause contaminated land are listed below:
  • Waste disposal (licensed and unlicensed)
  • Dockyards
  • Rail sidings
  • Gas works
  • Power Generation
  • Metal finishing/smelting
  • Chemical works
  • Waste incineration
  • Cement manufacture
  • Asbestos manufacture
  • Petrochemical installations
  • Petroleum Spirit storage
  • Diesel storage tanks
  • Scrap metal/ vehicle dismantling
  • Paper manufacturing
  • Printing
  • Agricultural activities
Who conducts the remediation of contaminated land?
Firstly an assessment/investigation of the land will have to be conducted to assess the extent of the contamination. Generally site investigations are carried out using a tiered approach this can include a desk study, followed by intrusive investigation, if necessary. Intrusive investigations consist of trial pits and boreholes to collect soil and groundwater samples and then these are analysed for toxic chemicals. A risk assessment is produced based on the sample results and a remediation strategy is formulated if the results from the investigation conclude remediation is necessary. Any contractor engaged in the remediation of contamination must be UK Spill registered and listed on the SiLC (Specialist in Land Condition) Register.
 
Who will pay for remediation?
Remediation of contaminated land follows the polluter-pays principle. If a remediation notice has to be served, or if the authority carries out the remediation in an emergency, the cost of remediation will normally lie with the person(s) who caused or knowingly permitted the contamination. However, if this person(s) cannot be identified the owner or occupier of the land will be responsible (unless the problem is one of water pollution).
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