CONTAMINATED LAND MANAGEMENT

McMahon has the capacity to manage all facets of contaminated land management from initial site evaluation to investigation, remediation and validation. Our principal consultant is a Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP) Site Contamination (SC) Specialist, joining only a handful of regionally based industry professionals to hold this certification.

Key staff are also Certified Professional Soil Scientists (CPSS) meaning we have a high-level professional competence in soil science and management, derived from a broad soil science knowledge base.

All our investigation and assessment findings are supported by comprehensive reporting and management plans in accordance with job specific requirements, guidelines and legislation.

the Contaminated Site assessment process includes:

• Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI)

• Detailed Site Investigation (DSI)

• Remedial Action Plan (RAP)

• Site Validation

Our reports are prepared by an approved consultant (CEnvP SC) certified under the EPA Contaminated Land Consultant Scheme. We also have access to a network of independent NSW EPA accredited Site Auditors, if needed for jobs of a large scale or sensitive setting. If you require an initial consultation, contact us for advice and we can guide you through the process.

Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI)

A Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) is an in-depth assessment of the site history, environmental setting and potential contaminating activities. The assessment is used to develop an initial conceptual site model which outlines the contamination source-pathway-receptor linkages and associated risk. In some cases, the PSI involves a limited sampling program to aid site assessment and the need for further investigation.

If the PSI determines the site presents a low risk, then in most cases no further work is required. In some cases, the PSI may recommend further assessment to delineate the extent of contamination and the possible effects.

Detailed Site Investigation (DSI)

When further assessment is required, a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) is carried out.

The DSI further refines the conceptual site model and risk assessment of the PSI by conducting environmental sampling and analysis that may involve potentially impacted media, including soil, surface water, groundwater, dust and air. The DSI is comprehensive in nature and determines if site remediation is required, or if the site presents low risk to human health and/or the environment and no further assessment is needed.

The DSI should identify the nature of the contamination and delineate its lateral and vertical extent to a sufficient degree that an appropriate level of risk assessment may be undertaken and, if necessary, to provide the basis for the development of an appropriate remediation or management strategy, National Environment Protection Measure (2013).

Remedial Action Plan (RAP)

If the site is contaminated and presents an unacceptable risk, a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) is required to provide the client and regulators with feasible options to make the site suitable for development.

The RAP must have clear goals and guidelines and is developed to ensure environmental safeguards are in place to ensure no unacceptable risk to human health and/or the environment. There are a range of remediation techniques available from simple excavation through to high end in situ techniques.

Site Validation

The final stage in contamination assessment involves Site Validation. Validation ensures the objectives of the RAP have been achieved and this is done by sampling and in some cases, ongoing monitoring.