I always include in Proposed Remediation Schemes post-placement testing of imported top-soil irrespective of whether it has come from a certified site. I have experience of the so-called pretested material being OK for the first few loads (i.e. the first few gardens) and then being unacceptable for the remainder of the job. Much "top-soil" is recycled material and is not necessarily consistent in quality.
Testing after placement ensures that the developer gets what they are paying for, as well as providing the final reassurance that everything in the garden is lovely.
Regards,
Mike Smith
-----Original Message-----
From: Contaminated Land Management Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dan Oadams
Sent: 11 August 2010 14:43
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Post placement testing of mcerts soil
Just a quick question to gather info on how LA's are dealing with testing of imported soils. I have an LA asking for post placement testing of imported material that has already been mcerts tested off site. My question is, is this standard practice?
The site in question was badly dealt with by the applicant follwing a condition on the planning permission for necessary investigation. potential pollutant linkages (albeit low to moderate risk) were identified on site, howvever the phase 1 had been done following site scrape and importation of mcerts soils rather than prior to commencement on site. The LA in this instance has requested that due to the material underneath having not been tested as part of a phase 2, that any material, mcerts or not must be tested now it's down. Their justification is that as some material has been removed that they are unsure without testing that the clean material hasn't been padded out with potentially contaminated matter.
The client is now asking why he has spent money on mcerts tested soils only to have to pay out once more for the soil to be tested now it's on site.
Any thoughts or comments? Is this standard practice or would you normally accept mcerts documentation?
Dan Oadams
|