Choosing the right contaminated land company is critical step in properly addressing environmental risks on your site. The consultant you engage will determine how efficiently and effectively your project progresses and how you will be viewed by regulators.
In WA, environmental conditions and local laws can be complex, so asking the right questions upfront will help you select a company that can deliver the right solution for you. Here are 6 questions you can ask to protect your project and ensure compliance.
Your investigation, remediation and monitoring programs are all geared toward one key thing: regulatory compliance. Any soil remediation contractor you work with should have a strong understanding of WA’s frameworks.
At WSW, we build our services around the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 and Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) guidelines. Working regularly with their officials, we understand how to prepare reports that meet expectations at the first attempt, minimising the chance of costly delays or rework.
Not all contaminated land issues are the same, so you can’t take a catch-all approach.
Industrial sites, agricultural properties and brownfields all come with different risks and not all consultants have a diverse working history. Make sure you ask whether they have experience with:
Contaminants common to your site type
The scale of investigation or remediation likely to be required.
Liaising with stakeholders such as developers, lenders or local councils.
A provider with relevant experience is more likely to create a targeted, effective program for your site.
Accurate and reliable site remediation services are backed by a full spectrum of investigations. See if the company you are contacting provides:
Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI): Desktop studies and site inspections that identify potential risks.
Detailed Site Investigations (DSI): Sampling and laboratory analysis that confirms the type and extent of contamination.
Monitoring and reporting: Long-term assessments of the efficacy of remediation or containment strategies.
Also confirm that the consultant uses NATA-accredited laboratories for their analyses. NATA accreditation is recognised nation-wide and reduces risk, enhances stakeholder confidence and opens up new business opportunities.
Just as important as the investigation itself is how the results are given to you. A jargon-filled data sheet that you can’t understand won’t be helpful when it’s time to finalise your reporting.
Ask how results will be presented and whether recommendations will be practical for your site’s intended use. A good consultant will provide not just technical data, but also clear advice on:
Compliance requirements
Risk implications for human health, environment and site usability
The next steps for remediation or management
Investigations are only the first part of a contaminated land solution. If there is indeed a presence on your site, you’ll need a contractor who can design and implement remediation strategies.
Ask whether they offer services like:
Soil and groundwater remediation
Asbestos management
Acid sulfate soil treatment
Risk management and containment strategies
Choosing a consultant with end-to-end services like WSW will provide you with a solution that is both compliant and cost-effective, ensuring continuity between investigation and treatment.
Western Australia’s regulatory landscape is just as diverse as our natural environment.
From acid sulfate soils in wetlands to saline groundwater in coastal areas, a consultant with local knowledge can anticipate the issues that matter to your site and design solutions that are practical and compliant.
Local partnerships with regulators, contractors and laboratories are also invaluable in streamlining project delivery.
At West Soil and Water, we combine over a decade of local experience with comprehensive investigation and remediation services.
Our team can support your project with:
Regulatory reporting and liaison with DWER.
Contaminated land remediation strategies tailored to site conditions.
Ongoing monitoring to ensure long-term compliance.
By working with WSW, you gain more than a consultant – you gain a partner who understands your site, the risks involved and the best route toward compliance.
For contaminated land services across WA, contact us today to discuss your site and project.
