Acid sulfate soils (ASS) are naturally occurring soils and sediments containing iron sulfides, which can produce sulfuric acid when exposed to air.
Sulfuric acid can lead to environmental degradation, structural damage and unplanned remediation costs for Western Australian infrastructure projects. Creating an acid sulfate soil management plan (ASSMP) is the surest way of preventing these issues before they arise.
An ASSMP identifies and evaluates risks, outlines containment strategies and provides frameworks for ongoing monitoring to ensure the integrity of your site into the future.
At West Soil & Water, we offer comprehensive ASSMP development and implementation throughout Western Australia. If you would like to speak with a member of our team, please contact WSW at sam@westsoilandwater.com.au or on 0424 021 264.
In Western Australia, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) mandates an ASSMP for developments that involve:
Dewatering or Drainage Activities: Any project proposing temporary or permanent dewatering or drainage works.
Significant Excavation: Projects involving soil excavation totaling 100 cubic meters or more.
These requirements are particularly pertinent in areas identified as having a moderate to high risk of ASS occurrence.
The Western Australian Planning Commission emphasises the importance of addressing ASS at various planning stages to prevent adverse environmental impacts. This type of ongoing management is exactly what at ASSMP provides.
ASS occurrences are particularly impactful in certain industries and sectors:
Construction and Infrastructure: Large-scale excavations for roads, tunnels and railways can expose ASS, requiring a carefully constructed ASSMP to prevent acidification.
Property Development: Developments involving significant earthworks, such as subdivisions, may disturb ASS. ASSMPs can mitigate potential risks.
Agriculture: Drainage of wetlands for farming can lower the water table, leading to the oxidation of sulfide minerals in ASS.
Mining Operations: Excavation and dewatering activities in mining can expose ASS. Here, effective acid soil management is crucial to contain wider environmental impacts.
An effective ASSMP should include:
Site Assessment: A detailed investigation to identify the presence and extent of ASS.
Risk Evaluation: An assessment of potential environmental and structural impacts resulting from ASS disturbance.
Management Strategies: Plans to prevent or minimise ASS oxidation, such as soil treatment or controlled drainage.
Monitoring and Reporting: Ongoing evaluation of soil and water quality to ensure the effectiveness of management measures.
If you are looking to develop and implement an ASSMP, it is always advisable to consult experienced environmental professionals.
In Perth and WA, implementing robust soil management is not only a regulatory requirement but also a proactive measure to protect your project’s environmental, structural and financial integrity.
The team at West Soil & Water specialises in creating ASSMPs for the Western Australian landscape. With a strong understanding of our unique environmental intricacies, we can provide our clients with efficient, cost-effective solutions.
In addition to soil management, we also offer:
Baseline Investigations: Investigations that determine the presence, extent and severity of ASS on your site. This information is used as a foundation for future planning and monitoring.
Acid Sulfate Treatment: We tailor treatment solutions to sites in Western Australia, suiting the needs of each individual project.
Soil Monitoring: We monitor our treatment solutions to be sure of their long term efficacy.
If you would like to learn more about ASSMPs, please contact WSW at sam@westsoilandwater.com.au or on 0424 021 264.
