Remediation by air sparging and vacuum extraction, Bedford

Client: Rialto Homes

Oil storage and fuel tanks on the site of a former engineering works had leaked over the years leaving a diesel plume within a gravel aquifer across a significant proportion of a site acquired for residential development.

After extensive investigations to delineate the extent of the plume, we negotiated with the regulators to use air sparging enhanced by the addition of ozone to break down the hydrocarbon contamination. Groundwater levels were lowered by local pumping to assist in the remediation process.

This method allowed the remediation to be undertaken in-situ and avoid the costs, disruption and environmental impact of bulk excavation and dewatering.