United approach to soil in Port of Rotterdam
Havenbedrijf Rotterdam NV (the Port of Rotterdam Authority) is currently investigating the possibility of approaching companies in the port area to make a united approach to soil pollution instead of the expensive and less efficient solution where each company has its own soil policy. A good and rewarding concept according to Royal Haskoning consultant Leon Kok, but complicated as regards execution. It is also a concept which anticipates developments that still have to take shape in the Soil Protection Act and other legislation. Deltares and Royal Haskoning are supporting the port authority with an action plan.
What do we do with soil pollution in our industrial area? That is the serious question that the authority is asking itself. The law requires that the pollutants are cleaned up within 30 years. In practice this does not always happen. A combined approach on a large scale by the port authority and as many companies as possible would seem to be the perfect solution.
New rules
In the past the many industrial activities in Rotterdam’s docks have polluted the soil and the ground water. The Port of Rotterdam Authority wants to address the resulting pollutants. All short and long term leases require that at the end of the contract period the soil has to be returned in its original condition. What is more, since 1987 the law requires that companies clear up possible pollution immediately and fully. New rules and regulations, including the European Ground Water Directive, have far-reaching (financial) consequences for companies, because the ‘plumes’ (which arise inside and outside individual company’s areas through the spread of polluted ground water) also have to be dealt with.
United approach
‘The solution could lie in an area-specific approach,’ says consultant Leon Kok. ‘The Dutch Ministry for Housing, Regional Development and the Environment is currently developing legislation in that area. In advance of this Royal Haskoning is advising the authority on the development of a proper strategy as manager of the port area. After all the port authority is landlord / lessor of the companies in the port area and finally responsible for all adverse consequences of soil pollution. These are costs that it can pass on to the companies concerned.
Looking for a mode
In the first investigations a mode was sought to determine the pollution situation in a test area, the area around Botlekhaven, and to map the spread behaviour and risk of this pollution and deal with it collectively. Decontamination measures were assessed and an estimate of costs made. The results of the first pilot were positive so it was decided to go on to a follow-up.
Individual responsibility
If the plans for an area-specific approach go ahead, companies will remain responsible for the removal of pollution in the topsoil on their lot. The authority will deal with deeper pollutants in the ground water (i.e. in the subsoil) that extend over company site boundaries. Companies that decide not to go along with the combined area-specific approach will continue to be responsible for the (expensive) clean-up of pollutants in the top soil and subsoil, including the plume spreads. They will have to accept all the financial risks involved In all cases the watchdog DCMR Milieudienst Rijnmond checks that the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the companies are fulfilling their obligations.
Contact: Leon Kok
+31 (0)10 2865 563
l.kok@royalhaskoning.com
