Whether you want to buy or sell land for commercial development, need structural demolition or are working on a major renovation, environmental remediation is a necessary part of your plan. It is required by law based on EPA regulations for the simple reason that dealing with any contaminated land will present major problems for you and your organization.
There are four primary types of environmental remediation to take into consideration, according to the experts at Matrix Environmental:
- Groundwater Remediation
Water can be found underground and there is always a chance it contains some level of contamination from pollutants. Causes for this may include leaking landfills, industrial spills, chemicals used in construction, plant operation or runoff from local farms. Groundwater remediation is the process of testing the groundwater for contaminants and treating it to make the land safer.
- Soil Remediation
The soil itself may be full of contaminants. Soil remediation is the process of removing those pollutants from the ground soil, which include heavy metals, hydrocarbons, creosote and chemicals that can pollute the soil and damage the land. In serious cases, the best solution is to remove all the polluted soil and replace it completely. If not treated, contaminated soil can have terrible effects on the local ecosystems, structures, and humans working on the property.
- Surface Water Remediation
This is a similar concept as groundwater remediation, but easier to deal with since the water is located above ground. Surface water, however, is generally exposed to more harmful elements than the water deep underground, so it has to be dealt with carefully. Since humans are more likely to come into contact with the surface water than groundwater, it is very important to treat polluted surface water before it leads to major long-term problems.
- Sediment Remediation
The EPA defines sediment as soil, sand, organic material or other materials that accumulate at the bottom of any body of water. Here, toxic materials can settle and gather in high volumes to pose major environmental and health threats. It can affect both the water and the soil throughout the property, making sediment remediation extremely important.
When it comes to demolition and construction, it is important to follow specific protocols and to work with a team like Matrix Environmental that specializes in environmental remediation services. For more information about environmental remediation and the services we offer, contact Matrix Environmental today.