What does a Phase 2 (Intrusive) Site Investigation involve?
The mock conceptual site model we used in our previous posts identified some known and unknown items that require assessment, such as:
- Is the neighbouring engineering works or rail yard affecting the site?
- Has the leaking fuel tank impacted the ground or groundwater?
- Has the former gasworks impacted the ground or groundwater?
- Is contamination moving through the ground to neighbouring property?
- Are there any vapours or gases that might affect the proposed development?
- Is groundwater flowing towards the pond or not?
The unknown parts are what the Phase 2 investigation should attempt to answer.
The Site Investigation
Having an understanding of the typical contamination associated with industrial processes in particular, at least gives the Phase 2 a fighting chance of successfully understanding and fixing problems.
Our investigations would call for collection of soil, groundwater (and possibly surface water), vapour or gas monitoring to confirm sources of risk but also confirm that pathways are in action, if we are collecting groundwater samples we can also calculate the direction of groundwater flow for example.
We can employ a multitude of site investigation techniques, which can be summarised as follows:
We select the technique or combination of techniques on site conditions and to provide the most economic and technically balanced approach possible.
For the sake of this example, the investigation may have included shallow window sampling boreholes and deeper shell and auger boreholes with gas/vapour and groundwater monitoring installations. It is also possible that additional trial pits could have been used to collect soil samples across the site.
As part of any investigation, it is common to include monitoring of groundwater, gas and vapour or other aspect of concern. These monitoring visits can be done over several weeks or months depending on the scope and purpose and are usually detailed as part of the investigation design.
We’re happy to talk so feel free to contact us on 0800 0209 307 or e-mail us on info@soilutions.co.uk. While we finish our eBooks on Phase 1 and Phase 2 Investigations, why not check out these related blogs:
What is a Phase 1 Environmental Investigation?
Do I need a Phase 1 Environmental Site Investigation?
Why might a Phase 2 Intrusive Investigation be necessary?
FREE EBOOK2021
Phase 1 Desk Studies / Preliminary Risk Assessments
Do you want an insight on Phase 1 Desk Studies / Preliminary Risk Assessments for Contaminated Land? This eBook has been written specifically for those new to contaminated land and provides an overview for the uninitiated of what steps you need to follow.
FREE EBOOK2021
Phase 2 Site Investigations
Do you want an insight on Phase 2 Site Investigations? This eBook has been written specifically for those new to contaminated land and provides an overview for the uninitiated of what steps you need to follow.
Leave a Reply