In this project, we were commissioned to conduct a historical survey to support the construction of an office building in the Check Post area of Haifa.

A historical survey, formally, a Historical Soil Survey- is a report that assesses potential soil contamination. For an in-depth explainer, see link to Historical Survey.

To obtain building permits for the project, the developer engaged Sutok for environmental consulting to prepare a historical survey for submission to the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The Ministry is authorized to determine the level of potential soil contamination and, accordingly, either approve the permitting process or require further actions, such as a soil investigation for remediation of contaminated soil prior to the start of construction.

This survey was conducted for a site zoned for industrial use under the statutory plan. At the time of the survey, there were no pre-existing structures on the site.

The first phase involved gathering information from various authorities (Ministry of Health, Water Authority, etc.), including potable water wells, infiltration pits for wastes and stormwater, stratigraphy of soils around the site, and direction of surface and subsurface flow. In parallel, planning information was collected from local planning authorities’ engineering departments regarding structures in the vicinity (over the years), gas stations, garages, factories, and any facility that handles hazardous materials with contamination potential. An additional component of the information-gathering phase was locating historical aerial imagery. The aerial photos obtained provided insights into the site and its surroundings in prior years and helped identify unpermitted uses, such as an illicit junkyard/dismantling operation for old vehicles that had been established in the area.

The information collection was guided by the understanding that persistent soil contamination can cause significant long-term harm to people and the environment via multiple pathways. Environmental consulting grounded in deep familiarity with contaminant types, as detailed in the Hazardous Substances Law (1993), their modes of release, and their transport potential in soil/air markedly improves the clarity and quality of the historical survey.

After consolidating the collected data, a physical site walkthrough was performed. This field review revealed findings not recorded in the various authorities’ databases. Among other things, assorted piles of construction debris were identified in the vicinity, as well as adjacent structures lacking permits. All such findings were documented by the survey team and appended to the report with interpretive commentary.

Another stage in conducting a historical survey involves interviews with the site manager and several staff members in roles likely to provide insight into waste disposal practices, contaminant types used at the site over the years, and related matters. Because contaminants can migrate via various soil/air/water pathways, it is important to interview key personnel in potentially contaminating facilities near the site.

The final stage of the survey is to compile the findings, review any identified contaminant types (if present), describe the nature of the risk and recommended mitigation measures, produce conclusions and next steps, and submit the report to the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

At Sutok, a firm specializing in environmental consulting, we maintain daily awareness of evolving regulations on soil conservation and contaminated land remediation, keep close ties with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and other government agencies, and recognize the importance of conducting a historical survey comprehensively and clearly to meet all regulatory requirements.

Shortly after submitting the survey, the Ministry of Environmental Protection accepted Sutok’s recommendation that the assessed site presents no contamination potential of concern. The survey was completed promptly, thoroughly, and comprehensively, enabling the developer to proceed with the project without the need for soil remediation actions.