A practical guide to construction site remediation
Polluted ground shouldn’t derail your project. With the right plan in place, remediation becomes a manageable part of pre-construction.
Why remediation matters
Contaminated land can jeopardise health, delay planning, and inflate budgets. Whether you’re working on a residential redevelopment or a major infrastructure scheme, a proactive remediation strategy ensures legal compliance, reduces environmental risks, and keeps your programme on track.
Understand the risk first
Before you break ground, you need a clear picture of what lies beneath.
Typical risks include:
Worker exposure to hazardous substances
Threats to groundwater or nearby ecosystems
Planning permission delays due to unresolved contamination
Key regulations to be aware of:
Environmental Protection Act 1990 - defines landowner responsibilities
Planning frameworks - often require remediation to secure consent
HSE guidance - protects health on active construction sites
Step 1: Assess site contamination
Start with a preliminary desk study
Review site history: maps, archives, previous use
Flag likely pollutant sources (e.g. industrial buildings, garages)
Follow up with physical surveys
Walkover inspection for visible risks (oil stains, buried tanks, etc.)
Soil and groundwater sampling
Lab analysis to determine contaminant types and levels
Classify the risk:
Low: background contamination under regulatory limits
Medium: near threshold, requires further analysis
High: known pollution, action required
Step 2: Set your remediation objectives
The goal isn’t always full removal, it’s making the site safe for its intended use. For housing, that means protecting human health. For industrial, it may mean avoiding groundwater impact.
Factors to consider:
Site layout and access
Depth and spread of contamination
Timeline and cost constraints
Noise, odour, or disruption to nearby communities
Step 3: Choose your remediation methods
Here’s a quick breakdown of common options:
Want to dig deeper? Read: Environmental Remediation in Construction
Step 4: Monitor and report
Remediation doesn’t stop once the digger leaves.
What to track:
Regular sampling (monthly during works, quarterly post-completion)
Contaminant levels against target thresholds
Any deviations or corrective actions
Documentation to maintain:
Sampling logs and lab results
Site photos and as-built drawings
Validation reports for regulators
Transparent updates build trust with councils, clients, and communities alike.
Case Study: South West Brownfield Redevelopment
Churngold was engaged to remediate a former industrial site contaminated with hydrocarbons and metals. By combining stabilisation and on-site bioremediation, we reused over 3,000m³ of treated soils — avoiding costly off-site disposal and reducing project delays.
Key takeaways
Start early with site history and walkovers
Set realistic targets based on end-use
Match your method to the site conditions
Keep regulators involved and document every step
Next steps
Book a preliminary site review
Identify contaminants and remediation triggers
Define your objectives and compliance targets
Choose the right method for the ground and the goal
If you’re facing a challenging site or need support, our Remediation team can help you de-risk, sequence, and deliver.