Geo-Environmental Consultancy

A GQRA is often the first step following a desktop survey that has identified an area of concern and one or more potential contaminant linkages that need further investigation. More detailed in-situ information is gathered, usually via a range of intrusive methods, which is then assessed against standard criteria to decide if one or more unacceptable risks are present.

A DQRA may be suggested when a Generic Quantitative Risk Assessment has identified a red flag and an unacceptable risk persists based on standard criteria.

These are more detailed assessments against site-specific criteria which can be done to investigate if potential contaminants can safely remain at higher levels given localised conditions so as to help reduce the need for remedial works.

Examples inlcude:

• Detailed Human Health Quantitative Risk Assessments
• Detailed Groundwater/Controlled Water Quantitative Risk Assessments
• Ground Gas Risk Assessments

If it has been decided that remediation is necessary, we can help you quickly evaluate the available options and design a fully compliant, cost-effective remediation strategy that will address the risks and enable ongoing cost-effective development. This will include a formal verification plan that sets out any actions required to evidence that remediation activity has been successful.

Remediation can involve traditional techniques such as off-site soil removal and disposal to licensed landfill and/or recyclying to simple clean cover systems. More sophisticated soil remediation techniques are available including bio-remediation and contaminant stabilisation. Our consultants are up-to-date with the latest innovative and sustainable approaches, and can help you to keep costs down through techniques such as maximising the reuse of site-won materials through the implementation of a Materials Management Plan.

As well as designing your remediation strategy, we can also deliver the strategy for you through our Remedial Contracting Services Team.

Where we do not carry out the remediation works, we are routinely engaged in implementing the verification plan that forms part of the remediation strategy. This activity may include anything from long-term surface/groundwater monitoring to capping thickness/chemical soil quality checks and gas protection inspection and verification.

Maximising the re-use of natural and manmade material within a proposed development is an important aspect of delivering a cost-effective redevelopment through minimising off-site disposal.

A detailed understanding the regulatory framework to support re-use of site won material is necessary to achieve this, along with an in-depth appreciation of the geotechnical soil properties to necessary achieve this.

T&P are highly experienced in the use of the CL: AIRE Definition of Waste Code of Practice (DoWCoP) to facilitate the re-use of site won man-made material and avoid associated classification as waste.   Geotechnical classification of natural and manmade material for earthworks to inform subsequent compaction requirements and placement methods are a key specialism within the business allied to the use of our aerial surveying and 3D modelling services. These are used to evaluate material placement options at the early stages of project inception to inform later detailed design and related cost planning.

T&P are also able to provide full site supervision and geotechnical verification services to support subsequent placement.