PFAS and Site Investigations
Professional PFAS Consultancy to Safeguard Your Development Site
Do you suspect PFAS contamination on your site?
At Earth Environmental & Geotechnical Ltd, we deliver comprehensive PFAS Risk Assessments. Our assessments and consultants provide the insight and evidence you need to protect your site from chemicals and potential contaminations, meet regulatory requirements, and move your project forward with confidence.
Why PFAS Risk Management Matters
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are a group of over 4,000 man-made chemicals and compounds widely used in industrial processes, firefighting foams, non-stick coatings, textiles, and packaging. Their resistance to degradation means they persist in soil, surface water, and groundwater for decades, posing long-term environmental and health risks, contaminating water sources, ecosystems, and food chains.
At Earth Environmental & Geotechnical Ltd, we provide PFAS Risk Assessments to help you understand, manage, and mitigate the risks associated with Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination on your site. With growing concerns around PFAS compounds due to their persistence in the environment, it’s critical to evaluate potential impacts to groundwater, soil, and human health.
If your site has a history of industrial or commercial use, or is located near airports, military bases, or manufacturing facilities, it could be at risk of PFAS contamination. Early identification through a PFAS risk assessment is crucial to avoid project delays, manage liabilities, and meet UK regulatory requirements.
Our PFAS Risk Assessment Services
At Earth Environmental & Geotechnical Ltd, we deliver a full suite of comprehensive PFAS consultancy services designed to assess and manage contamination risks in line with the latest UK regulations and guidance, including the 2023 Land Contamination Risk Management (LCRM) framework.
Our team of expert geotechnical and environmental consultants are experienced in providing tailored risk assessments that suit the specific needs of your project, site, and regulatory requirements.
Our PFAS Risk Assessment services include:
- Site Investigation: Thorough sampling of soil, groundwater, and surface water to identify the presence and extent of PFAS contamination.
- Environmental Risk Evaluation: Analysis of how PFAS contamination may affect human health, groundwater, ecosystems, and compliance with environmental standards.
- Regulatory Guidance: Assistance in navigating complex regulations related to PFAS contamination, ensuring your site adheres to all UK environmental guidelines.
- Remediation Recommendations: Based on the findings, we provide strategies for reducing, managing, or removing PFAS contamination to safeguard your site and surrounding environment.
Do You Need a PFAS Risk Assessment?
If your site has a history of the below, it is essential to carry out a PFAS Risk Assessment:
- Your site is located near former industrial or military areas.
- You are redeveloping brownfield land.
- Your site has a history of manufacturing, firefighting foam use, or chemical storage.
- You’re seeking planning permission or facing regulatory requirements.
- You want to reduce long-term liabilities and protect future site users.
Our expert team can help you determine the next steps for your site by carrying out an initial PFAS screening and in-depth site investigation. Early identification and action are key to mitigating risks and protecting your site’s future.
More About Earth Environmental & Geotechnical Ltd.
We have worked on a huge array of your sites, from former gasworks, Victorian reservoirs, sewage works, battery storage facilities, renewable energy projects, asbestos factories, electricity sub-stations, collieries, fuel retailing stations, airports, abattoirs, quarries, landfills, etc.
Our services have been used to assist in securing planning pemission and for the the planning and design of new retail stores, housing projects, renewable energy, windfarms solar projects, landfills, quarries, and the restoration of numerous brownfield sites.
We deliver, and take pride in, providing cost effective and pragmatic geotechnical and environmental solutions from our 8 offices in Bath, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Inverness, Stockport, Maidstone, Reading and Wilton.
All of our offices are run by highly experienced Directors, backed by degree qualified staff.
Contact Us now to discuss your project
Environmental & Geotechnical Consultancy Services Throughout UK
We provide a risk-based, pragmatic approach to the implementation of PFAS management.
Why Choose Us as Your PFAS Risk Consultants?
Earth Environmental & Geotechnical Ltd is a trusted UK-based environmental consultancy with in-depth experience in PFAS risk management. We understand the complexities surrounding PFAS contamination and offer bespoke solutions that meet both the technical and regulatory needs of our clients. When you choose Earth Environmental & Geotechnical Ltd, you benefit from:
- Expertise in PFAS Assessment and Management: Our consultants are well-versed in the latest PFAS regulations and remediation technologies, ensuring that your site is fully compliant with UK standards.
- Accurate, Reliable Testing Methods: We use advanced testing and monitoring techniques to detect and quantify PFAS levels in both soil and groundwater, providing you with actionable insights.
- Tailored Environmental Solutions: Every site is unique, which is why we provide custom risk assessment and remediation strategies based on the specific conditions of your site.
- Comprehensive Reporting: We provide clear, detailed reports outlining the risks, findings, and recommended next steps to ensure you have all the information needed for effective decision-making.
Whether you’re planning a housing development, brownfield regeneration, or industrial redevelopment, our PFAS consultancy team can help you navigate potential risks and progress your project with confidence.
Get Expert Advice Today
Don’t let PFAS contamination hinder your development plans. Whether you need a preliminary site investigation, risk evaluation, or a full-scale remediation strategy to ensure your site is safe and compliant, our expert team of PFAS risk assessment consultants is ready to help you.
Contact us today to discuss your project or request a consultation.
What are the stages of a PFAS Risk Assessment?
PFAS Risk Assessments typically follow three stages:
- Desk Study & Preliminary Risk Screening
- Site Investigation & Detailed Risk Assessment
- Mitigation & Remediation Strategy
Each of these stages is designed to assess for potential contamination, and to guide further decision making in line with the UK’s Land Contamination Risk Management (LCRM) framework.
What happens during the initial desk study?
The first step involves a comprehensive desk-based assessment to identify PFAS contamination risks, including:
- Reviewing historical land use of the area.
- Identifying past PFAS-related activity (e.g. firefighting foam, industrial processes).
- Analysing geology, hydrology, and potential pollutant pathways.
If contamination risks are found, targeted soil and water sampling will follow.
What does the site investigation involve?
A full site investigation is carried out to assess the presence, extent, and risk of PFAS contamination. This may include:
- Soil, groundwater, and surface water sampling.
- Analysis of PFAS migration from nearby sources (e.g. industrial areas, airports).
- Development of a Conceptual Site Model (CSM) to map sources, pathways, and receptors.
This step ensures the site’s unique risks are fully understood before progressing.
How is PFAS contamination remediated?
If PFAS is confirmed, we develop a site-specific remediation plan aligned with Stage 2 of the LCRM. The process includes:
- Identifying feasible remediation options.
- Evaluating each option for effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
- Selecting and implementing the final strategy.
Our team works closely with you to create cost-effective, sustainable solutions tailored to your site.
What is a Conceptual Site Model (CSM), and why is it important?
A Conceptual Site Model (CSM) is a detailed representation of potential contamination on and around your site. It includes:
- Site geology, topography, and hydrogeology.
- Identification of PFAS sources, migration pathways, and sensitive receptors.
- Environmental behaviour of PFAS and potential transformations of precursors.
The CSM is critical for understanding exposure routes and forms the foundation for risk evaluation and remediation planning.
