Options appraisal

Once the remediation objectives have been determined, the next stage is to conduct an options appraisal. The options appraisal is a critical stage in the remediation of a site, and time and effort invested here is seldom wasted. Indeed, many landholders with a wide portfolio of contaminated sites will routinely obtain third-party expert review and input to the decision-making process given the potential for significant unnecessary expenditure, including cost overruns when the remediation strategy is not scoped appropriately.

Remedial methods have specific information requirements which must be satisfied before a final decision is made on their suitability for use. Examples include the volatility of contaminants, permeability characteristics of the site, particle size characteristics, partitioning behaviour, presence of potential reactive substances, degradability characteristics and presence of inhibitory compounds. Throughout the remediation options appraisal process, it may be necessary to undertake further evaluation to resolve any information gaps before proceeding further, particularly given that different remediation methods have quite specific information requirements. This can range from relatively straightforward desk-based research through additional investigation to onsite pilot trials or laboratory-based treatability studies.