Land remediation is the process of restoring an area that has been contaminated to its original state or a baseline standard. It’s a very important process in allowing land to be redeveloped and has serious benefits, both environmental and financial, for the surrounding area. In this post, we’ll explore exactly what land remediation entails and why it’s so important.
Why is land remediation needed?
Land can be contaminated by many different substances, from heavy metals to old building materials such as asbestos, and even waste from agriculture. Land contamination can also occur completely naturally due to geological shifts in soil, or from floods. It can pose a serious risk to people, property or protected natural species, especially if it’s close to an area where food is grown or where people work.
Image credit
A local council or environmental agency can decide officially if the land is in need of remediation, but actually, anyone can raise a concern if they think their land may be contaminated.
Why is land remediation important?
Land remediation is the procedure by which these areas of contaminated land are made safe for redevelopment. Most importantly, land remediation removes potential dangers to human and animal health and protects delicate ecosystems. But it also allows formerly empty land to be redeveloped, adding greatly to local communities. It safeguards the future of the land and makes sure that it stays healthy for the next generation.
How does land remediation work?
Companies offering land remediation services will start by completing a survey of the site from historical records. The next step is to perform a very thorough on-site survey, looking in depth at samples from the area and assessing their impact on human health and the local environment.
The company will then draw up a plan to address all the contaminated areas. This could be through removing hazardous materials, pumping, treating, and cleaning rivers and waterways, or by introducing biological ingredients that reduce the contaminant naturally.
You might also choose to use a company offering land remediation services specialising in your site specifics, such as soil and groundwater remediation experts, for example.