Frequently Asked Questions
A Soil Contamination Report may be necessary where the Local Council is aware that fill soil was imported into the area at the time the land was originally developed. Often the records were non existent or not accurate, and so Council needs to be sure that in the course of redeveloping the land, no-one is exposed to harmful contaminants.
A Hazardous Materials Survey is a Workcover / Government requirement that serves to identify and manage substances that could be potentially harmful to humans and the surrounding environment.
An Acid Sulfate Soil Investigation may be necessary to protect the building / infrastructure against acidic leachates (corrosion) and to protect nearby waterways against acidic leachates which could have fatal consequences for local fauna (e.g. fish kills).
These are only a few examples of the types of investigations carried out by HEC Pty Ltd. Others include: Remedial Action Plans (RAPs), management of site remediation and validation projects, VENM validations, soil and water quality monitoring and general consultancy on chemistry and ecotoxicology.
Please contact us for any further enquiries on our services.
Why are contaminated sites a risk to the environment?
Sites can present a risk to the environment because:
- Contamination in soil can be taken up by plants that are consumed by humans, livestock or other animals.
- Contaminants in the soil or sediment may present a risk to those in direct contact (though skin absorption, inhalation or ingestion)
- Specific flora and fauna or certain ecosystems may not be able to establish or survive because of the levels of contamination in soil or sediment
What does an environmental consultant do?
- Identifies what the potential contaminants are, and areas that they were stored and used, disposed of etc.
- Identifies the vertical and lateral extent of contaminants and what medium they are present in (e.g. soil, groundwater, surface water);
- Determines the concentrations of contaminants across the site and, if necessary, beyond;
- Describes the environmental characteristics of the site;
- Compares the concentrations of all the identified contaminants to appropriate background concentrations and environmental acceptance values;
- Outlines the limitations of the investigation and assessment;
- Identifies and outlines the need for further work, if necessary (a multi-staged approach is usually the most practical way to investigate a site).
How much does it cost to get my land investigated?
The cost of site investigations varies according to a number of different reasons. To give an accurate quote we need to ask questions relating to:
- The type of report required.
- Former land use.
- The size of the land.
- Intended use for the redevelopment.
- Whether the redevelopment includes excavation of site soils, and how much of the soil will be removed.
As a general guide, prices for these types of jobs can range from:
- Soil Contamination Report $880 - $18 000
- Hazardous Materials Investigation $550 - $6 600
- Acid Sulfate Soil Investigation $660 - $9900
Reports are site specific, which means that they are tailor-made and restricted to the site identified in each investigation. Differences in land use, buildings / infrastructure, site history and even location will affect the recommendations and conclusions in each report. So results that are valid for one site may not be appropriate for another.
