After leading the contaminated land (intensive learning) field for last 8 years, The Certificate of Competence in Contaminated Land, has finally come to a close. Roger Braithwaite who devised and ran the programme at the University of Warwick has decided to retire from the course to, ‘spend more time at work’. He recently told Environmental Health News -

“There is such a demand for consultancy and
expert witness work in the sector, something had to go”.

With order books full to the end of the year and well into next, Roger explains that slowly but surely Part IIA is beginning to bite, and each case is inevitably complex and particularly demanding of officer time. With such a work load it is impossible to take time out now to organise and run the courses.

The courses have been run in two intensive one week residential modules at the University in spring and autumn each year. Each involved practical site visits, demanding course work and an examination after each module. Those attending the course in recent years all report a notable increase in their confidence in this, many would suggest, most complex of all Environmental Protection subjects.

September 2006 saw the last 30 of a total of nearly 400 attendees pass through the course. These are pictured below at the contaminated Peugeot Citroen site in Coventry which is in the process of remediation prior to redevelopment for mixed commercial and domestic use.

From left to right

Front - Eloise Griffin & Donald Payne Fife Council, Peter Davies Health Protection Agency, Mark Lynn Sanctus Ltd, John Henderson Marshspace Ltd

Middle - Roger Braithwaite Course Director, Alison Cannon Nuneaton Council, Dr Ingrid Small Perth & Kinross Council, Steve Burridge Isle of Wight Council, Laura Grimwood Basingstoke Council, Caroline Wallis Crossfield Consulting, Clare Mitchell British Nuclear Fuels, Paul Griffin Cannock Council, Karen Robinson North Lincs Council, Christopher Fry Course Assistant Director,

Back - Ross Edwards Dundee Council, Tony Bullen Sefton Council, Nicholas Egerton East Herts Council, Dr Gavin Harrold Perth & Kinross Council, Andrew Martin Consultant, Peter Brown Eastleigh Council, Guy Quint Mid Beds Council, Graeme Evans South Lakeland Council, Paula Grgich-Warke East Devon Council, Jeff Russell Health Protection Agency, Peter Lawson Warwick Council, Helen Morrissey Belfast Council, Paulo Di Paquale Ground Solutions Group, Shirley Hall Maldon Council, Clare Adair Belfast Council, Clive Nightingale LDG Grampian, Rob Halford Director RHE Ltd.

Site visit and photograph courtesy of Sisk and WSP Remediation.
 

The Certificate of Competence in Contaminated Land
In two modules^# at the
University of Warwick

 "THE BEST ASPECT OF THIS COURSE, THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY COMPLEX ISSUES AWAY FROM THE OFFICE"

For the cost of many two day conferences, each module comprises five days of all inclusive intensive residential training delivered by expert tutors in possibly the most ideal learning environment in the UK (Warwick again voted the BEST ACADEMIC VENUE 2002)

"EXCELLENT VENUE, BEST I HAVE EVER ATTENDED" (link to venue)

Contaminated land is an intensely complicated subject, on the one hand obtusely academic, on the other, very practical. The "high science" developed by extensive research programmes sponsored by the Government has ultimately to be interpreted and applied in such a way that will ensure the contractors on site will deal with the dangerous contamination in a way that will render the site not only safe and secure, but also "uncontaminated" by statutory definition. These few days away from the telephone allow you to delve deep into the subject and get to grips with the diverse range of science and technologies which comprise contaminated land.

THE VENUE? Centrally located at the hub of the motorway network (M40, M1, M6, M69) in a beautiful parkland campus with lakeside walks. Delegates have full use of leisure facilities (including new fitness suites, swimming pool, squash, tennis etc),superb Arts Centre, cinema, range of shops and award winning catering to suite all tastes.

THE LECTURERS? Depth of experience is essential to impart new knowledge quickly, therefore we offer a broad Church of some of the very best contaminated land experts in the UK (in alphabetical order):

"LECTURERS TOP OF THEIR FIELD"

WHO ATTENDS? Environmental Consultants, Civil Engineers, Building Inspectors, Town Planners, Property Surveyors, MOD and Laboratory Staff, as well as Enforcement Officers the length and breadth of the UK.
 

^#Both modules stand alone therefore persons can attend single weeks if appropriate to their needs

MODULE 1 (Basic) - MARCH or APRIL EACH YEAR

GEOLOGY - For the non geologists an introduction to basic geology, hydrology and hydrogeology is the essential starting point. These parts are delivered by highly qualified lecturers with a lifetime of experience. Particular attention is given to understanding BGS data from Memoirs and Geological and Groundwater Vulnerability maps.

CHEMISTRY - The chemistry of contaminated land is necessarily broad and complex. Here we seek to unravel the mysteries of the organic pollutants most regularly encountered in the soil, explain the difficult terminology, advise how to take and safely deliver samples to the lab, request the right analysis and how to interpret the results.

"ITS QUITE SCARY WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW"

SITE INVESTIGATION - Investigation of contaminated sites has now been formalised by British Standard. This is explained by an experienced practitioner in the field together with advice on practical application and methods. Emphasis is placed on the importance of not creating new pollutant linkages during an investigation by using non-intrusive methods. The UKs leading Geophysics expert and author of the standard text on the subject provides a very interesting insight into these invaluable techniques.

ICRCL - No training in contaminated land would be complete without an understanding of the crucial work of the Interdepartmental Committee on the Redevelopment of Contaminated Land. There are still eight guidance documents available with surprisingly useful advice on subjects as diverse as calorific value of soils, asbestos contamination and trigger levels applicable in agriculture. Following a tour through these, the author of these documents and past Secretary of the ICRCL, brings you right up to date on current developments in hazard identification and quantification.

RISK BASED SCREENING LEVELS - Once you have the information, what does it actually mean in terms of risk? The head of contaminated land at the University of Nottingham explains the current frameworks for contaminated land risk assessment from the UK and abroad.

"PULLED TOGETHER A NUMBER OF DISCIPLINES EMPHASISING THE NEED TO BE THOROUGH TO PROTECT MY EMPLOYERS FROM FUTURE PROBLEMS / COSTS"

TOWN PLANNING & CONTAMINATED LAND DEVELOPMENT - Whether you are a consultant acting for a developer, or a local authority officer advising a Planning Committee, it is essential not to make mistakes at the planning stage. This session explains the Secretary of State's advice as simply as possible and makes it absolutely clear what you must and must not do in terms of site investigation requirements, planning conditions and obligations ('106 Agreements'). Includes a preliminary appraisal of the potential impact of the forthcoming PPG26.

HOUSE BUILDING ON CONTAMINATED LAND - The greatest risks occur when the most contaminated land is developed for the highest risk use. A man with a lifetime of experience in regulating such sites and previously with the Environment Agency National Groundwater and Contaminated Land Centre, explains what you must do.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW - The law is as extensive and complex as any of the other subjects relating to contaminated land. There is a short introduction to Part IIA for the non local authority delegates, then you are taken through an interesting scenario that potentially involves most, if not all, of the relevant groundwater and soil pollution control legislation in the UK. Handouts are provided for the bewildered.

INTERPRETATION OF SITE REPORTS - One of the most popular sessions, half a day split into three groups considering different consultants reports in detail. These always raise many issues of relevance to every contaminated land professional. At the end of the session the groups present their findings.

"I WON'T BE FRIGHTENED TO PICK UP A CONSULTANTS REPORT IN FUTURE"

GUIDANCE AVAILABLE - There is a vast amount of guidance on every aspect of contaminated land. This lecture seeks to guide you to that essential handful of documents you must always have by your side.

SITE VISITS - Ten different locations can be utilised for the three site visits which delegates are taken to by coach on the first day. Each has a whole host of very real problems relating to present or former uses. A set of question on each seem impossible at the outset, but the knowledge gained through the week results in guaranteed success for those who participate.

"THE SITE VISITS WERE VERY USEFUL, MADE ME REALISE HOW LITTLE I KNEW"

MODULE 2 (Advanced) - SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR

Experience has shown that the most important factor in learning is demonstrating theory in practice. This module has therefore been developed with the emphasis on application rather than calculation.

Practical visits by coach to 2 - 3 locations   2003 site visit à

Visit 1 - to the UK's (and for some products, the World's) leading supplier of landfill gas, contaminated land and groundwater sampling and monitoring equipment. Have a tour of the factory and see the large range of equipment available and how it works. With practical demonstrations.

Visit 2 - to a site in the process of being investigated or remediated. We seek to find a particularly interesting site where a complex site investigation or state of the art remediation is in progress. Last year we visited a major groundwater remediation project in the midlands which demonstrated investigation techniques, and both groundwater and surface water risks. Remediation was by ex-situ chemical treatment and re-injection under licence. How long this visit takes depends on location. If very local a third visit may be possible.

GEO-ENVIRONMENTAL DRILLING AND CONSTRUCTION OF BOREHOLES - Cable & percussion, shell & auger, large rotary rigs, compact mini rigs for use in confined spaces. Have these terms explained and receive a simple reference guide to techniques and installation methods. A visit may be possible to a leading supplier of well screens and borehole installation equipment based close to the University.

THE DE-MYSTIFICATION OF RISK ASSESSMENT - Do you find the more you are told, the more confused you become? Risk assessment models are merely tools in a much broader process. Is it really necessary to have PhD in toxicology, applied mathematics and chemistry to quantify the impact of a few gallons of oil on a site? These sessions are raised from the foundation of common sense to ensure everyone understands what exactly risk assessment is, where Intervention levels and CLEA etc fit in, and how far you can take it before you have to call for help. Includes a lecture on the use of International soil guideline values.

INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS - Module 1 provides a wealth of information on organic compounds, how they are sampled analysed and understood. It is necessary therefore to have a look at the inorganics, consider which are the ones to worry about, understand them and how they can cause harm. The impact of pH, how to 'type' soil, and what affect sand and degradeable materials have on the end result. Would a lead pipe or a chrome car bumper buried in a site interest you, or might you be more concerned about putty or sodium dichromate?

LANDFILL GAS - Landfill gas is a well researched hazard and we understand its complexities, but when will it kill and injure and when can it be effectively ignored? The science of landfill gas risk assessment is still in its infancy, but enforcing authorities and developers still have to make decisions based on fact. Leading exponents of the subject take you through investigation assessment and control including two comprehensive case studies.

GROUNDWATER - Groundwater is a Part IIA receptor in its own right and most contaminated land will be so defined because of its impact on groundwater. The law relating to the protection of groundwater is complex. What are controlled waters, red / black and grey lists, how does the Environmental Protection Act relate to the Water Resources Act and the Groundwater Regulations? What impact with the new Water Bill have on existing legislation? On the practical side, how do you investigate groundwater without contaminating it in the process, how do you sample, how do you assess the contamination and decide whether the cost of remediation will outweigh the benefit gained?

REMEDIATION - There are dozens of ways to undertake remediation of contaminated land and groundwater but most is completed by our friend on the JCB (dig and dump). The first lecture will provide a detailed overview of the current methods of remediation available. As it is difficult to remember all of these you will be given a simple reference guide on each that will allow you to rapidly evaluate the suitability of each method for any future projects you are involved in. Followed by three detailed case studies based on the practical experience of several of the UK's leading remediation experts

High Value - Low Cost - Practical - Intensive

CASE STUDIES - Real projects from beginning to end. How they are structured, how to develop conceptual models, how to identify hazards, how to decide whether the hazards form risks, and if they do, whether they matter. Then developing remediation strategies and seeing the process through to completion. Delivered by people who's livelihood depends on getting it right.

PILING ON CONTAMINATED LAND - Most contaminated land forms an unstable foundation for construction, therefore piling is often an essential prerequisite to development. The piling process can, however, create new pathways for pollution to contaminate groundwater. This session describes the various techniques of piling and how causing pollution can be avoided based on recent EA guidance.

GASWORKS - Gasworks are both the worst and the most prolific contaminated sites in the UK. The first session allows you to understand exactly what a coal carbonisation plant was, what it created and what was left behind. Understanding the process is key to understanding the contamination issues. The second session takes you through a case study which involved a two week planning appeal and a High Court hearing in London. After ten years the end result was probably the best remediated former gasworks site in the UK.

Contaminated Land Quiz (Module 1) Question Time (Module 2)
Social evenings but informative too. Come armed with your own contaminated land problems and fire questions at our panel of experts in, 'Question Time', whilst enjoying a glass of 'fine' wine.

The Course Notes - Include much much more than is actually needed to successfully complete the modules and build into a comprehensive encyclopaedia and two reference manuals on contaminated land. These, together with the extensive amount of knowledge gained within the weeks leads to exceptional levels of satisfaction.
 

"LOT OF KNOWLEDGE GAINED, THE MATERIAL IN THE FOLDERS WILL BE USED IN MY DAY TO DAY WORK"

The CD - There is now so much detailed information and guidance on the Web, but who has the time to spend hours surfing trying to find it all? We have done it for you with dozens of essential contaminated land and groundwater documents reproduced and indexed for easy reference.
 

"A DEFINITE CONFIDENCE BOOSTER"

The Exam - On the final day of each course there is an open book examination of around thirty questions. These are optional and the questions are not easy. Despite this no one has declined an exam to date and all those who take time to get to know their notes, do not find it difficult. Open book and no time limit (within reason).
 

"A VERY GOOD COURSE, WELL PRESENTED WITH GOOD QUALITY TUTORS"

Still only £975.00 full board residential for 5 days
 

Meet past delegates

Meet the lecturers

Visit the superb venue
 

To download and view a BOOKING FORM in pdf format (32Kb), click here

If you have not got a 'pdf' reader, you can obtain one from the following:

"Get Adobe Reader"

To download and view a BOOKING FORM in doc format (40Kb), click here

Forward to zero environmental Training at PO Box 1659 Warwick CV35 8ZD
Tel: 01926 62 49 66 Fax: 01926 62 49 26 e: enquiries@zeroenvironment.co.uk w: www.zeroenvironment.co.uk