Site investigation for biomass plant development, Invergordon

Challenge

ERS undertook a site investigation to support a planning application for the development of a biomass plant on the site of a former aluminium smelter.

Concerned about future liabilities on this potentially highly contaminated site, the funding partners required that all contamination issues should be resolved before funding for the new plant was released. 

Potential contaminants included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals, fuel hydrocarbons and ground gas from an adjacent landfill.

Solution

ERS liaised closely with the local authority prior to undertaking intrusive site investigation works.  Zoning boundaries were agreed for the site, together with a detailed scope of intrusive works.  Analytical suites for soil and groundwater were also developed by ERS. 

The high quality site investigation and data collection programme undertaken by ERS were used to inform the quantitative risk assessment (QRA) process.  As a result, potential risks to human health were shown to be insignificant.  However, a potential risk to the underlying aquifer did appear to be present, so obstructing the regeneration process.

ERS undertook further hydrogeological field trials and detailed mineralogical assessment.  As a result, a more detailed and precise QRA could be undertaken.  This demonstrated that risks to the aquifer that had previously been identified as potentially significant were in fact negligable.

Outcome

• ERS carried out a thorough site investigation to support a planning application for the development of a new biomass plant on the former aluminium smelting site.
• As a result of ERS' site investigation design and data collection programme, it was concluded that no specific remedial action was required and that the development of the new biomass plant could proceed safely.
• Close liaison with the regulators at all stages ensured sign-off. 
• This facilitated the release of funding for the development.
• ERS' detailed site investigation design and diligent data handling saved the client an estimated £1 million in remediation costs.