Assessment and Remediation of Hexavalent Chromium Contamination

Project:  Assessment and Remediation of Hexavalent Chromium Contamination

Location: Camellia NSW

Client:  Asciano Limited

The site is located on the Camellia Peninsula where industrial activity was first established in the early 1900s. The peninsula contains one of Australia’s oldest oil refineries and other manufacturing and processing industries, including manufacture of asbestos-containing building materials, refractory products and grain seed oils. The site is located on areas that were formerly wetlands that formed part of the Parramatta River and has been subject to significant filling activities between the 1960s and 1970s.  Some of the fill materials placed onto the site is understood to have been sourced from a chromium chemical manufacturing company that operated on the peninsula from the 1940s through until the 1970s. Large volumes of chromium ore processing residue (COPR) were produced as a by-product of the operations and historical records indicated that COPR was used across the Camellia peninsula for filling activities as the industrial area developed. COPR is characterised by high concentrations of Cr(Total) and Cr(VI) in a high pH matrix due to the presence of residual lime used in the processing of chromite ore. Due to the presence of significant concentrations of Cr (VI) in the fill materials and groundwater on the site, the site is regulated by the NSW EPA under the Contaminated Land Management Act.

CONSARA was engaged as the contaminated land and remediation consultant to the Client for assessment, remediation planning and management of the Cr(VI) contamination.

The role comprised undertaking multiple stage soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater investigations; treatment trials; remediation design; remediation planning; remediation action plan preparation; collaboration with various specialist consultants; liaison and negotiation with NSW EPA and other regulatory and consent authorities; completion of reports required for planning approvals and to satisfy CLM Act regulatory agreement (VMP); NSW EPA Accredited Site Auditor review and approval;, remediation tendering; on-site supervision of contractors during remediation works; identification of any technical and commercial issues relating to the remediation contractors works; technical review of reports prepared by remediation contractor; post remediation work advice and validation works in relation to site completion works and management of long-term legacy issues.