We conducted the historic soil survey for a new residential building project under National Outline Plan 38 (TAMA 38). The new building, replacing the existing structure, will include:

• Ground floor with mixed use (retail frontage and a garden apartment at the rear)

• Five typical residential floors

• Roof level

The historic soil survey was carried out for a site located in what was formerly known as the Industrial Belt, in south Tel Aviv. As such, there are numerous nearby sites suspected of contamination. Within a 400-meter radius of the site, 21 potentially contaminating sites were identified, along with three confirmed contaminant sources: two active gas stations and an out-of-service metal plating facility. Most of these sites have treatment plans in place or sealing and infrastructure upgrades have already been implemented to prevent further soil and groundwater contamination.

The historic soil survey is a report that reviews potential soil contaminants arising from activities on the parcel since the first building was erected (in 1931), considering its various uses over the years (commercial and residential), as well as existing and potential contamination stemming from the proximity of foundations to the groundwater table, municipal sewer lines, gas stations, facilities that used hazardous substances, and other possible pollution sources.

To obtain a building permit, the developer must submit the historic survey for approval by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, which is authorized to require a soil investigation, land remediation, or any other necessary action prior to construction of the new building.

In the first phase of the historic survey, we collected information from various authorities (Tel Aviv–Jaffa Municipality, Water Authority, National Planning Administration, Geological Survey of Israel, and others) to consolidate data on potential soil contamination and to prevent damage to existing infrastructure or the aquifer, since a new, taller building requires deeper foundations. In addition, excavating contaminated soil may release pollutants into the environment and harm the health of children in nearby educational institutions, residents, business owners, and passersby- within a radius that could extend several kilometers from the contamination source.

In addition to information on potential soil contamination, we gathered physical, geological, and hydrological data, notices concerning adjacent parcels, future land-use designations, and more.

Facilities with contaminating characteristics include, among others, auto repair shops, gas stations, wastewater treatment installations, and any other facility or plant that uses hazardous substances with the potential to contaminate soil.

Near the site, several metal plating plants posed concerns for soil contamination. Additional sources were identified nearby that raised concerns about soil gas.

In the second phase of the historic survey, we conducted a site visit to review conditions and identify findings that may not be documented for various reasons (e.g., unpermitted activities). We recorded these findings and provided a professional opinion regarding them. In parallel, we compared aerial photographs from different periods to detect and track undocumented changes.

In the final phase, we consolidated all data and findings and submitted to the developer and the Ministry of Environmental Protection a professional opinion that included a plan for soil and soil-gas sampling, to identify and address contaminants that could pose risks to public health and the environment.

As an environmental consulting firm, Sutok Environmental Engineering maintains close collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and stays up to date in real time on regulatory changes related to land conservation, contaminated land remediation, and environmental protection.