Find out who is responsible for managing contaminated sites and how to report any known or suspected contamination.
Definition of contamination
The Contaminated Sites Act 2003 defines 'Contaminated' in relation to land, water, or a site as "having a substance present in or on that land, water or site at above background concentrations that presents, or has the potential to present, a risk of harm to human health, the environment or any environmental value."
Causes of contamination
Several activities can result in contamination. Common sources include leaks from fuel or chemical storage, as well as inadequate management practices at industrial facilities.
Specific land uses that may lead to contamination encompass service stations, landfills, power stations, historic gasworks, and market gardens.
Management of contaminated sites
The responsibility for overseeing and managing contaminated sites lies with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. They collaborate with the Department of Health to evaluate the severity of contamination, assess risks to the public and environment, and determine any necessary remediation actions.
Report suspected contamination
Landowners, tenants, and those responsible for contamination are legally obliged to report any known or suspected contaminated sites to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
Visit the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website to report a known or suspected contaminated site.
More information and contact
Detailed information about contaminated sites, including the contaminated sites database and auditors of contaminated sites, is available on the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s website.