Shearwater Landfill Site
As part of their obligations under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 the Council identified a former landfill site in Shearwater Avenue as potentially contaminated land. In order to establish that the site does not pose a risk to human health or the environment a site investigation was completed. The investigation involved taking soil and groundwater samples for analysis from residential gardens and the recreational land on Shearwater Avenue. Ground gases were monitored in probeholes installed in residential gardens and the recreational land. Indoor air monitoring was also carried out at selected properties.
The Council received and reviewed the consultant’s reports. The report concluded that there is no concern with the results of the groundwater and soil sampling, both in the residential gardens and on the recreational land. Consequently no further works were recommended with regards to the groundwater and soils.
The investigation established that the level of gas generation from the landfill is very low and the rate at which it would migrate into properties is negligible. Ground gas was not detected in any residential property during the three rounds of indoor air monitoring. However, there was uncertainty concerning the results of one internal ground gas monitoring survey carried out at a residential property in the 1990’s.
In order to deal with this, and confirm the conclusions of the ground gas investigation the consultant recommended a further three rounds of indoor air monitoring at selected residential and commercial properties. This work was completed between April and July 2011. The results confirmed the minimal risk from ground gas ingress into properties. This has enabled the Council to conclude the investigation and make a decision that the site does not meet the definition of “Contaminated Land” under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
All the residents, landowners and owners/occupiers of the commercial properties within the site investigation area have been notified of the investigation outcome and recommendations. We would like to thank them all for their time and cooperation.
Site investigation plan [pdf document]
Summary report [pdf document]