Geo-environmental Site Investigation in the South East

Ecologia has recently been awarded a comprehensive geo-environmental site investigation for a large development in Kent.  The work  will include extensive trial pitting in order to assess potential  contamination and geotechnical testing for in-filled areas in order to refine foundation design.  The site investigation is currently underway and it will be completed in the early part of August.

New Office in Yorkshire

Ecologia is proud to announce the opening of a new office in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. The new office will be managed by Leigh Anne Cammack who has several years experience as senior project manager in our headquarters in Kent. The new office is part of Ecologia’s strategy to improve geographical coverage across the UK in order to provide a more efficient service to a range of existing clients.

More Overseas In Situ Remediation at an Operational Facility

Ecologia has successfully completed the installation and commissioning of the next phase of remediation works at a chemical facility in Castiglione, Italy. The works involved the installation of a second multi phase extraction equipment that was designed and built in the UK by Ecologia.

The equipment has been produced and supplied to deliver the requirements of a project to remove contamination in the vadose zone in a second area of the site using multi-phase extraction to remove contaminated perched water and hydrocarbon laden soil vapour. The system utilised Ecologia’s full range of automation and telemetry with real time on-line monitoring of off gases and vapours running through the system to provide an up to date picture for our client and our staff working on the project in the UK.

The equipment has been well received by the client who is delighted with the quality of the service and remediation equipment provided by Ecologia.

New Technology Demonstration Project Bulletin (TDP28) In Situ Radio Frequency Heating (ISRFH) Treatment of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Chalk Published by CLAIRE

Ecologia is proud to announce that Technology Demonstration Project Bulletin (TDP28) is now available for download freely from the Publications Library area of the Contaminate Land Applications In Real Environments (CL:AIRE) website (www.claire.co.uk).

TDP28 is called “In situ Radio Frequency Heating of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Chalk at a Former Service Station in Kent”. Ecologia was appointed by Total UK Ltd to conduct a trial to assess the effectiveness and the commercial viability of combining soil vapour extraction with in situ radio frequency heating technology in order to remove volatile and semi-volatile organic contaminants from soil.

The technology has also been awarded two Brownfield Briefing Awards as the Most Innovative Remediation Method in 2009 and also featured in the 2010 Award as part of the Best Combination of Remediation Techniques.

This is the second technology demonstration project published by Ecologia following the2005 TPD 12 report entitled Bioremediation of Coke Works and Former Colliery at Askern, Doncaster and confirms the company’s excellence as a leader in the development of innovative and sustainable remediation technologies in the UK and Europe.

To download the new TPD 28 publication from our website please click here.

Ecologia Ireland Celebrates Its First Year In Business!

The staff at Ecologia Ireland are delighted to celebrate a very successful first year of business.  Starting with just three staff at the beginning of 2010 the office has been so successful that an additional two members have come on board.

Chris Madden (Regional Manager) is confident that the success of 2010 will continue and grow with this new coming year.  “At the beginning of any business it is difficult to gauge the growth of success.  However, now that our first year is over; I am more than confident that we have a strong foundation and will continue to go from strength to strength. It is my hope that we will continue to grow this year and supersede the success of 2010.” Giacomo Maini (Managing Director) is extremely pleased with the progress achieved in just 12 months “Chris competence and organisational skills coupled with Ecologia’s contaminated land expertise provide truly innovative solution to the Irish market despite the current economic downturn”.

2010 has seen the promotion of Janine Kerr from Project Co-ordinator to Project Manager.  Janine says “We have all worked extremely hard this year and it is great to see hard work pay off”.

 James McGrath has also been promoted from Environmental Scientist to Project Co-ordinator.  James says “Being part of Ecologia Ireland from the beginning has been a great experience.  Especially the support that is given to the staff by both my office colleagues and those from other Divisions.  The willingness to share knowledge and train staff makes Ecologia an excellent company to work for.”

 Jacqui Burns has completed her six month probationary period and has gone from part time to full time hours in recent weeks.  Jacqui says, “It’s great to be part of a successful growing business from the beginning.  I am very happy here at Ecologia.”

Philip Scott started Ecologia in September 2010 as Project Co-ordinator and says “So far working for Ecologia has been an enjoyable learning experience and I look forward to the new challenges that lie ahead.”

 2011 has begun with numerous requests for assistance and this looks set to continue during the busy winter months. Ecologia in Ireland has the capability to assist in managing complex environmental incidents and offer sustainable remediation technology at a very competitive cost.

More Multi Phase Extraction (MPE) in Italy

Following the acceptance of our detailed designs by Italian regulators Ecologia was awarded the contract to manufacture plant and equipment and undertake MPE works at a site in Northern Italy after a very competitive tender selection. The system will comprise an SVE component and pumped groundwater removal with associated treatment at the surface. The plant will be manufactured in Kent and installed during February next year with the logistical support of our Italian subsidiary.

Mixed Remediation in West London

Ecologia has won an important contract to remediate a site in West London due for residential re-development. Ecologia will take possession of the site and act as principal contractor and will hand the site back following verification from regulators. Ecologia will use ozone sparging, soil vapour extraction and ex-situ bioremediation to remove risks to controlled waters and human health.

Ecologia Wins Brownfield Briefing Awards 2010 for Best Combination of Remediation Techniques

Ecologia is proud to announce that it has won the Brownfield Briefing annual innovation awards for the second year in a row. Ecologia were awarded the prize for the best combination of remediation techniques for its work at a site in North London. The project tackled contamination in the soils and groundwater at the site by using various techniques including soil vapour extraction enhanced with in-situ radio frequency soil heating (ISFRH) coupled with ex-situ bioremediation, used to treat smaller volumes found in hotspots around the site. The groundwater was treated by sparging ozone into the saturated zone to provide a chemical oxidative effect and oxygenation of the aquifer to stimulate in-situ bioremediation.

Ecologia provided its client with a full design and operation service using its full range of in house capabilities; including manufacture of the treatment equipment, drilling works and licensed operation of the remediation project. The project treated in excess of 10,000 cubic metres of soil without the requirement for any off site disposal.

The project was completed within the agreed programme and within the agreed budget to allow the site to be handed over following completion without delay. The site is now being redeveloped for housing.

Ecologia Achieves Certification to BS OHSAS 18001

Ecologia is pleased to announce the successful certification of our management system to BS OHSAS 18001.  The scope of the certification includes environmental and geotechnical services managed from our Head Office in Sittingbourne.

An Integrated Management System has been developed to include the Company’s existing ISO 9001 Quality Management System and the requirements of BS OHSAS 18001.  The system also paves the way for the formalisation of our Environmental Management Procedures and certification to ISO 14001 in the future.

Our Integrated Management System now forms the basis for improvement in Quality and Health and Safety performance across the business.

Emergency Excavation and Deep Drilling to Protect a Drinking Water Abstraction Borehole in Kent

Ecologia was instructed to undertake emergency excavation works, after an accidental loss of approximately 850 litres of kerosene heating oil from a faulty above-ground storage tank at a private domestic property in Kent. The loss occurred above a Principal Aquifer in close proximity to a major drinking water abstraction point.

The emergency works initially comprised hand augering and trial pitting, with on-site and laboratory testing of soils, in order to categorise and delineate the contamination and to assess the risks to receptors such as groundwater and human health.

The emergency works identified that the oil had migrated vertically through fractures within the unsaturated zone of the chalk. Lateral contaminant migration was found to be minimal, however, significant contamination was found to have migrated vertically to depth. Risks to the groundwater and the Principal Aquifer were identified as very high.

In order to assess contaminant migration pathways and any impact to the principal aquifer a total of four deep groundwater monitoring boreholes were installed around the point of loss after consultation with the Environment Agency. Drilling methods comprised hollow stem augering and rotary single coring without the use of water flush. These methods ensured efficient drilling of the chalk without aiding any contaminant migration, whilst allowing undisturbed samples of the chalk to be taken at groundwater level.

The boreholes were drilled to 40m below ground level (bgl) intercepting  the aquifer located at approximately 32m bgl in order to allow continuous groundwater monitoring.

Next stage of work will include groundwater monitoring, derivation of remedial targets protective of the principal chalk aquifer and appraisal of appropriate remedial options with the Environment Agency, if deemed necessary.