Reasons for carrying out a Groundwater Risk Assessment
Environmental regulators may require you to carry out a groundwater risk assessment when you are carrying out the following activities:
- Development of Contaminated Land – When you are a developing a site where contaminants in soil can affect groundwater quality on or off-site.
- Cemetery Developments – When you wish to expand an existing cemetery or construct a new cemetery.
- Treated Effluent Discharge – Where you wish to discharge effluent to the ground.
- Landfill Sites or Waste Processing Sites – When waste deposition or processing can pose a risk to groundwater.
Groundwater is a vital resource in the United Kingdom. For example, up to 70% of mains water supply in the south of England comes from a groundwater source. Environmental regulators have a statutory duty to protect the quality of groundwater across the UK.
Our Team
Hydrogeologists at Hydrogeo have over 20 years experience in undertaking groundwater risk assessments or hydrogeological risk assessments for contaminated land projects. Our hydrogeologists have high levels of technical expertise and professional experience in undertaking groundwater risk assessments. This enables us to deliver cost effective, pragmatic and scientifically robust solutions to contaminated land and groundwater issues.
Where groundwater (or groundwater dependent receptor) is potentially at risk from a contaminant source, a Detailed Quantitative Groundwater Risk Assessment (DQRA) may be required to assess the level of risk.
Hydrogeo has experience in undertaking groundwater modelling in a broad range of situations. This experience has helped many of our clients reduce remedial costs which would have previously been associated with a site by a combination of technical expertise, close regulatory liaison and commercial awareness. The minor additional costs associated with a more detailed groundwater risk assessment are almost always outweighed by potential financial savings in the final remediation scheme.
Our Methods
Hydrogeo can undertake detailed groundwater risk assessments using the following tools in accordance with Environment Agency Groundwater Protection Policy and Practice (GP3) and supporting Regulatory Guidance:
- Soil and Groundwater Remedial Target Calculations using the Environment Agency methodology and spreadsheet models (Remedial Targets Methodology), previously referred to as P20 assessments.
- Detailed quantitative groundwater risk assessments (DQRA) for contaminated land and contaminated groundwater using ConSim.
- Quantitative hydrogeological risk assessments for landfills using the LandSim modelling software.
- Derivation of soil importation standards for waste recovery schemes.
If you would like to speak to someone at Hydrogeo about Groundwater Risk Assessments and Groundwater Modelling or DQRA Services please call 01873 856 813. or email chris@hydrogeo.co.uk.
Useful Links
Groundwater risk assessments – GOV.UK
Protection of groundwater – UK Groundwater Forum
