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Western Australia’s industrial history has left a legacy of contamination on many sites. From former factories to depots and storage yards, a variety of substances can persist in soil, groundwater and building materials. This can pose serious health and compliance risks for landowners, developers and nearby communities.
At West Soil & Water, our consultants have over a decade of experience dealing with pollutants across WA. In this article, we have compiled a list of the 7 contaminants they encounter most often. You’ll also learn how a contaminated land investigation can reveal these substances and help you prepare an effective strategy to remediate land.
Petroleum hydrocarbons are common in industrial areas, particularly on sites previously used for fuel storage or vehicle maintenance. They often originate from:
Underground storage tank leaks
Spills during refuelling or transport
Long-term machinery operation
Hydrocarbons are especially hazardous because of their ability to navigate through soil and into groundwater, creating fire hazards and health risks.
Historical industrial activity often leaves behind elevated concentrations of metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium and chromium. ‘Historical industrial activity’ typically refers to:
Metal smelting and processing
Use of lead-based paints
Treated timber yards
Battery storage or disposal
Heavy metals are incredibly persistent in the environment and as such, can restrict land use on sites earmarked for residential or agricultural development.
Having been used for decades as a construction, insulation and manufacturing material, asbestos is widespread across WA’s industrial sites. Fragments likely remain in soil where demolition, renovation or waste disposal occurred.
While intact asbestos poses less risk, friable or damaged pieces can become airborne and are extremely hazardous to human health. Any asbestos-related activities should be undertaken with strict management and professional consultation.
Chlorinated solvents (such as trichloroethylene) were widely used for degreasing machinery and cleaning industrial equipment. These compounds are highly mobile in soil and groundwater and can create plumes that extend well beyond the original source area.
To properly identify and contain a solvent contamination, you will need thorough investigations and a target remediation strategy.
Former agricultural and industrial storage sites could contain pesticide residues. In WA, organochlorines such as DDT are the most common.
These chemicals are long-lasting and accumulate easily in soils, risking the health of nearby communities and ecosystems. Like with chlorinated solvents, redevelopment of pesticide-contaminated land will require a detailed investigation and specialised treatment.
PAHs are generated by incomplete combustion of coal, oil, gas or wood. They commonly contaminate sites that were formerly gasworks, coal yards or areas with heavy vehicle activity. Because of their persistence and carcinogenic qualities, they are a significant concern during redevelopment.
Contamination doesn’t always have to come from chemical residues. In coastal and industrial areas, disturbed acid sulfate soils can release sulfuric acid into groundwater, mobilising metals and degrading land quality. Similarly, saline groundwater can limit redevelopment options and harm vegetation.
To understand the type of contaminants on your site and the extent of their risk, you need to conduct a structured investigation. At WSW, our consultants can provide:
Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI): Also known as Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments, these are reviews of historical records, aerial photos and site activities to flag potential risks.
Detailed Site Investigations (DSI): Collecting soil, groundwater and building material samples for laboratory analysis. You may see these referred to as Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments.
Laboratory Testing: Using NATA-accredited laboratories, we test contaminants against accepted health and environmental standards.
Our investigations are built to align with Western Australia’s regulatory frameworks, providing you with the evidence needed to classify risks and plan appropriate remediation.
West Soil & Water’s services extend beyond due diligence investigations. We work with landowners, developers and regulators to design and implement remediation and monitoring plans. Depending on the contaminants present and your proposed land use, we can utilise:
In-situ treatment methods
Soil removal
Containment strategies
Other techniques
By identifying and managing risks effectively, we can keep your redevelopment project on track and ensure long-term environmental safety.
Contamination is not an uncommon issue on Western Australia’s industrial sites. From hydrocarbons and solvents to heavy metals and pesticides, there are plenty of substances you can encounter during redevelopment.
Whilst contaminants may pose challenges, proactive investigations and appropriate remediation will keep your project moving smoothly and compliantly. If you’re concerned about your site and are interested in a contaminated land investigation, please contact West Soil and Water.