Remediation of Contaminated Sites
Contaminated sites located within the territory of Latvia that require environmental quality improvement and restoration are compiled in the Register of Contaminated and Potentially Contaminated Sites maintained by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LEGMC). This process of improving and restoring environmental quality is called remediation. Remediation must be carried out to prevent further spread of pollution and to eliminate potential threats to human health and the environment. Moreover, carrying out remediation significantly increases the market value of the property.
What are contaminated sites?
Contaminated and potentially contaminated sites include, among others, areas where the following activities have historically taken place:
- fuel stations, petroleum and gas storage facilities,
- manufacturing plants using chemicals (e.g., wood treatment, paint production, leather goods manufacturing),
- agricultural land,
- landfills and dumping grounds, etc.
Depending on the historical type of activity at the site, the area is typically contaminated with specific pollutants – petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, pesticides, biological contamination, and similar substances.
The State Environmental Service makes decisions regarding the inclusion of a site in the register, as well as any changes to its category.
Who is involved in the remediation of a contaminated site?
Three parties are involved in the management of a contaminated site:
- the landowner;
- the consultant;
- the State Environmental Service ( VVD).
The landowner hires a consultant, finances the investigation work, and provides all available information about the site and contamination to the State Environmental Service (VVD) and the consultant.
The consultant’s role is to prepare the necessary documentation, organize environmental investigations and remediation, represent the landowner, and advise on possible solutions.
Meanwhile, the State Environmental Service (VVD) assigns the remediation task, oversees the process, and evaluates the submitted documentation.
What does remediation involve?
The main steps of the remediation process are:
- selection of the remediation method;
- development of strategies and technological solutions;
- coordination of the work program with the State Environmental Service (VVD);
- implementation of the remediation work;
- verification measurements;
- summarizing the results and developing recommendations;
- preparation of the final report.
After the remediation, a monitoring plan is developed, implemented, and its results are compiled along with recommendations for future actions on the site.
