Historical Survey
In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward increasing regulations regarding soil pollution prevention and the remediation of contaminated soils.
Soil is a vital and fundamental resource used by humans and the environment, serving as a habitat for both fauna and flora.
As a result of these uses, soil contamination may occur. Contaminated soil can pose various risks to human health and the environment.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection is at the forefront of setting policy and promoting comprehensive legal regulation on this matter.
To identify and characterize the potential contamination of different soils across a developing country like Israel, the Ministry of Environmental Protection requires conducting a historical survey.
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What is a Historical Survey?
A historical survey, or more fully a historical soil survey, is a report based on reviewing archival documents, photographs, and other records to identify possible sources of soil contamination at the site under current and past examinations.
The report will specify locations and extents regarding contaminant substances used at and around the site.
The database collected for the survey is based on site inspections, document collection, aerial photographs, interviews, and other relevant documentation. The survey will recommend to the Ministry of Environmental Protection whether there is a potential risk of soil contamination.
Based on the findings of the historical survey, an evaluation and assessment process are initiated at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, which determines whether further soil investigation is required.
If it is found that there is no real possibility that the soil needs remediation or treatment, no further action will be requested.
If the findings support suspicion of soil contamination, further investigative procedures will be required, including soil surveys, soil gas surveys, and water surveys.
Based on these, a risk survey and a remediation plan will continue, culminating in a declaration of completion of remediation activities with the approval of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
When should a Historical Survey be conducted? Who enforces it?
The Ministry of Environmental Protection enforces soil preservation and remediation policy through three main channels: business licensing, toxic material permits, and planning and construction processes.
Practically, anyone applying for a permit is required to conduct a historical survey on the site and take action to remediate the soil if necessary.
Different procedures apply for obtaining various permits; for example, closing a factory that operated with hazardous substances is contingent upon receiving approval only after completing a historical survey and submitting it to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
The historical survey allows the Ministry to determine the nature and status of the soil at the site. If a potential contamination risk is identified, further soil surveys must be conducted.
The soil survey is a thorough and comprehensive analysis that includes soil sampling on-site and a rehabilitation plan. All of this depends on obtaining the necessary permits mentioned above.
What is the duration of a Historical Survey?
The time required to carry out a historical survey varies depending on the complexity and size of the site. It can last from several weeks to several months.
Why is a Historical Survey necessary?
In accordance with recent legal regulations on soil preservation and remediation, the Ministry of Environmental Protection published its policy principles for soil contamination prevention and pollutant treatment in early 2015.
Since the publication of these procedures, updates to the Ministry’s policy have been made regularly, including professional guidelines in various fields related to soil investigation and remediation.
Sutok, a company specializing in environmental consulting, works daily with various government ministries and is constantly updated on new laws and regulations.
Contaminants present in soil may pose health risks to humans and the environment in various ways. People and animals may be exposed to pollutants through soil contact, or by inhaling soil gases containing contaminants emitted from it.
Furthermore, contaminants in soil may migrate to surface water, groundwater, harm the environment, and pollute drinking water sources.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection defines a general framework for site surveys and remediation, with the historical survey as the initial stage.
To enforce soil contamination prevention and treatment policies, these principles have been integrated into licensing and permit processes as follows:
a. Business license conditions – business licenses include conditions regarding prevention and treatment of soil contamination.
b. Toxic material permits – according to the Hazardous Substances Law (1993), requirements are set to prevent soil contamination from hazardous substances, including requirements for soil surveys when business activity at a site ends.
c. Planning and construction procedures – soil survey and remediation are often conducted as part of planning or construction licensing processes, when plans or building permit applications are submitted for areas with potentially contaminating past activities.
Since this framework took effect, soil preservation issues have been embedded in various processes integral to receiving business licenses and toxic material permits. For example, businesses operating in high-risk pollutant activities are required to conduct a historical survey as a condition for obtaining a business license.
Businesses engaged in lower-risk pollutant activities are required to conduct a historical survey when closing their business.
The Ministry also defines additional groups and has the authority to demand a survey during business operation if there is concern for public health or the environment.
Stages of the Historical Survey:
The historical survey includes three main stages:
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Collecting information, documents, and data.
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Examining the collected data through site visits, interviews, and questionnaires.
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Analyzing the information and submitting the historical survey report.
Collecting information, documents, and data:
The initial stage of the historical survey is gathering information that characterizes the soil both in terms of its statutory status and physical data, including hydrological characteristics- groundwater flow, surface runoff, geological features describing soil layer structure and formation, and site positioning relative to fault lines. These aid in understanding contaminant transport capabilities within the soil layers.
This data collection concerns both the site under evaluation and its neighboring sites. Understanding groundwater and runoff flow directions, distance from potential pollution sources, land use, and building plans can provide a preliminary estimate of existing contamination potential.
Infrastructure that transports hazardous materials is prone to leaks and failures. Knowing flow directions and contamination dispersal mechanisms in the soil helps assess a source’s contamination risk to the site.
The site’s and surroundings’ historical usage, where some contaminants attach and bind to the soil while others leach into groundwater or emit toxic gases affecting humans and animals.
A broader understanding of the site’s history aids risk estimation from contaminants. Archival aerial
photographs serve as tools to locate pollutant sources that no longer have visible traces today.
Examining collected data through site visits, interviews, and questionnaires:
After compilation and collection of data, a physical site visit is conducted. This stage aims to verify the background information gathered. Additionally, it performs a detailed soil inspection and identifies potential sources without statutory documentation (such as temporary sites nearby, waste dumping/landfilling sites, vehicle repair shops, and similar).
During the site visit, preliminary information is confirmed or refuted. Additional information may be obtained that aerial photographs or building files do not contain.
Interviews and questionnaires are conducted with key individuals familiar with the site, whether owners or not—site managers, key staff, and managers of neighboring sites. The goal is to gather information about historical site operating procedures and by understanding them estimate contamination potential.
Analyzing information and submitting the Historical Survey report:
The final and decisive stage is analysis and understanding of the various pieces of information collected and assessing the scope and impact of contaminants on the soil and surrounding area. If evidence of hazardous materials is found on-site, their characteristics, treatment methods, and possible damage magnitude are classified and consolidated.
Sutok’s extensive knowledge in environmental consulting, including deep familiarity with various contaminants and treatment methods from diverse industry projects, is reflected here.
Based on the analysis, plans for further soil investigation will be developed, including soil, soil gas, and water sampling programs based on the findings.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection defines clear procedures to produce a historical survey based on American Standards Institute (ASTM) guidelines, with the first phase describing how to conduct a Phase 1 Historical Survey.
Sutok, specializing in environmental consulting, has significant experience and a deep understanding of the Ministry’s procedures. Correct characterization and execution of a historical survey give a broad understanding of the site’s nature and greatly influence the soil survey if needed.
Mapping potential contamination on-site provides an initial status overview for future environmental investigations.
Upon completion, site owners will have a clear understanding early on of the scope and timeframe of necessary investigations (if any).
Need a Historical Survey for your site?
The expert team at Sutok will guide you through a professional and thorough historical survey, in accordance with the Ministry of Environmental Protection procedures and current regulations, relying on extensive field knowledge and experience with diverse projects.
Contact us now for an initial consultation, and together we will start a process that enables informed decision-making, promotes permit approvals, and ensures a safe and compliant working environment