Groundwater can become contaminated without anyone realising it. However, there are many signs that may indicate your groundwater needs remediation if you are a landowner or manager in the UK.
Odd Smells or Colours in Drawn Water
If you are supplied with water from a borehole or private well then it should be clear and odorless. If your water smells of petrol or solvents or tastes of metal then stop using the supply and get it tested in a laboratory as soon as possible. Also if your water looks as if it contains oil and is coloured as a brown or yellow oil or even as an oily black liquid then stop using the supply and get it tested in a laboratory as soon as possible.
Surface Staining Near Boreholes or Streams
Signs of contamination include oily sheens, rust stains or other surface stains on the ground or in the surface water which are close to the borehole or water course or abstract. Such signs of leachates need to be investigated not monitored.
Unexplained Vegetation or Wildlife Die-Off
Areas of dying grass or plant life, or even the local disappearance of insects and small animals could indicate that toxic substances are passing through the ground in that area and causing the damage.
Elevated Laboratory Test Results
Testing of groundwater can reveal the presence of hydrocarbons, heavy metals and other solvents at concentrations above safe levels for human consumption and use. The groundwater protection guidance provided by the UK’s environmental regulators for contamination on land sets out the concentrations of contaminants that require action to be taken to protect groundwater.
Historical Land Use on the Site
Properties which have previously been used as sites for petrol stations, industrial units, dry cleaners or even old land fill sites could also potentially have a higher risk of groundwater contamination. Even if there are no obvious signs of pollution, a water test can provide peace of mind or highlight any problems that require remediation.
Groundwater remediation, or treatment, is required to clear contaminated groundwater. For Groundwater Remediation, visit //soilfix.co.uk/services/groundwater-remediation.
Early intervention not only saves money but can also prevent the problems from spreading and causing more environmental damage.
