Updated DER Contaminated Sites Guidance

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The Department of Environment Regulation (DER) has started updating the Contaminated Sites Guideline series to bring the guidelines in line with the Amended National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) Contaminated Sites Schedules.  The first guideline Assessment and management of contaminated sites was released on 30 December 2014.  This document replaces several documents of the Contaminated Sites Guideline series including:

  • Assessment levels for soil, sediment and water (DEC 2010).
  • Development of sampling and analysis plans (DoE 2001).
  • Potentially contaminating activities, industries and landuses (DoE 2004).

In addition to this update, a Site Summary Form is now no longer necessary when submitting any contaminated sites reports to DER for assessment.  Further guidelines are said to be in preparation and are expected to be published in the upcoming months.

Geoscience Services

The amended NEPM 2013 guidelines relevant for Contaminated Sites Schedules was undertaken in 2013 and came into force on 17 May 2013.  Most of the changes related to organic pollutants, especially petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons and a longer list of pesticides and PPOs (persistent organic pollutants). Other notable changes included:

  • New requirements for vapour phase measurements in soil from Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (NAPLs).
  • Changes to Ecological Investigation Level (EIL) and Health Investigation Level (HIL) values, particularly arsenic, lead, chromium, copper, nickel and zinc.
  • Introduction of ‘site specific’ limits based on land use and soil characteristics (pH, texture, CEC).

MBS Environmental is experienced in assessment, remediation and management of contaminated sites.  For more information on how these changes may affect management of your site please contact Dave Allen or Michael North on 9226 3166.