Assessing risks to groundwater from contaminated soils

The regulatory regime for contaminated soils and groundwater in the UK is risk based. Indeed, the definition of contaminated land in UK law requires the presence, or likelihood, of significant pollution or harm before affected land meets the statutory test of being contaminated land. In dealing with contamination, a risk management approach is used that also requires the consideration of wider land-use planning priorities, the costs and benefits of remedial action, and the goal of achieving sustainable development. A parallel risk-based framework is adopted for polluted groundwater. The risk assessment process adopted for contaminated groundwater in the UK follows a tiered structure. A simple conceptual model is developed from desk study and site reconnaissance. This model is then used as the basis for designing a site investigation programme, the sampling being undertaken to test assumptions within the model as well as to develop it further. The Environment Agency (England & Wales) has developed a package of tools to aid this tiered approach. This paper describes the integrated risk assessment and risk management processes for contaminated groundwater in the UK, with emphasis on the tools and methods developed. It explains the importance of a conceptual understanding (or model) to all tiers of risk assessment and subsequent risk management.