SOCIAL COMMITTEE
6 NOVEMBER 2008
ITEM 10
Annexe 1
Glossary
Contaminated Land is defined as ‘any land which appears to the Local
Authority in whose area is it situated to be in such a condition, by reason of
substances in, on or under the land, that
(a)
SIGNIFICANT HARM is being caused or there is a SIGNIFICANT
POSSIBILITY of such harm being caused; or
(b)
POLLUTION OF CONTROLLED WATERS is being, or is likely to
be caused.’
A contaminant is a substance which is in on or under the land and which
has the potential to cause harm or to cause pollution to controlled waters.
A receptor is a living organism, an ecological system, a piece of property
or a controlled water body which is being or could be harmed by a
contaminant.
A pathway is a route by which a receptor is being or could be exposed to
or affected by a contaminant.
A pollutant linkage consists of the presence of a Contaminant, a
Receptor and a Pathway which is capable of exposing a receptor to the
contaminants. If all three components are not present, there is no risk
represented and so assessment on that site would cease.
Remediation is defined as the doing of any works, the carrying out of any
operations or the taking of any steps in relation to any such land or waters for
the purpose

of preventing or minimising, or remedying or mitigating the effects of any
significant harm, or any pollution of controlled waters, by reason of which
the contaminated land is such land; or

of restoring the land or waters to their former state or

the making of subsequent inspections from time to time for the purpose
of keeping under review the condition of the land or waters
Remediation methods are dependant on what contaminants are present and on
the location of these contaminants in the ground i.e. depth, but may include any
of the following: blocking the contamination pathway i.e. laying a concrete slab,
removing the source i.e. excavation and disposal of contaminated soils, or
treatment of the contamination i.e. biological or chemical treatment of soils.
The Council has a duty to investigate previous land uses within the borough
which may have left contaminants that may cause harm to human health and
other receptors. This investigation is normally undertaken in two phases of risk
assessment.
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SOCIAL COMMITTEE
6 NOVEMBER 2008
ITEM 10
Annexe 1
Phase 1 is a desktop study and site reconnaissance to identify all
possible pollutant linkages and conceptual site model for the site.
Phase 2 will confirm the conceptual site model through quantitative
assessments normally involving site investigations with sampling and
analysis and statistical risk assessments included. Investigations will
proceed to Phase 2 only if pollutant linkages are identified in Phase 1
investigations and there is reasonable possibility that these pollutant
linkages may be present. Phase 2 works may not be carried out if
previous site investigations and/or remediation works have provided
adequate information to determine whether the site has a low risk of
being determined as “contaminated land” by statutory definition.
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