Quantitative Environmental Risk Assessment
Generic Quantitative Risk estimation and Assessment (GQRA)
Following on from the Preliminary Risk Assessment is the Generic Quantitative Risk Assessment, commonly referred to as the Site Investigation.
If potential pollutant linkages are identified, a GQRA may be completed to help assess the risk. To do this, further information is collected about the site and its surroundings, in order to develop the conceptual site model (CSM). Typically, this will nclude collecting samples and completing laboratory testing, then comparing the results to generally accepted "safe" concentrations.
Samples are collected by digging trial holes or drilling boreholes in order to collect samples. Occasionally, monitoring equipment may be installed to collect long term data to see how conditions change over time.
Many factors influence the cost of contamination testing including the size of the site, proposed development, known risks, the number of holes dug and the number of samples tested per hole. An investigation of a small straightforward site may cost around £1200 (excluding VAT), with larger more complicated Site Investigations costing significantly more.
How much does contamination testing cost?
Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment (DQRA)
Occasionally it may be necessary or advantageous to further develop the generic risk assessment by completing a DQRA. In this step, the assumptions made in the generic risk assessment are questioned to ensure they are not too conservative and are suitable for the site being studied.
The overall process of risk assessment can be phased and iterative; in which new information may require earlier ideas to be revisited. If the risk assessment process indicates unacceptable risks exist, remedial action may be necessary before the site can be considered suitable for the proposed use.
This phased nature of investigation can be frustrating, particularly when timescales and budgets are stretched and the reasons for additional works aren’t clearly communicated.
We understand it is necessary to balance the time and budget requirements of our customers, while also addressing the concerns of regulators. Each of our bespoke specifications of work is designed to address the specific risks of the development while matching the requisite budget and timescales.
