Make sure your construction project is on solid ground
Most of the hazardous substances contaminating the ground are invisible. If contaminated earth is removed, such as during a construction project, the law demands that the soil is either recycled in an environmentally responsible manner or disposed of correctly.
Substances harmful to the environment and human health are often found in current or former industrial facilities or near roads and railway lines. Pesticides and fertilisers may also contaminate the soil. The same is true of rapidly proliferating non-native plant species (invasive neophytes). These threaten native plant life and damage biodiversity. They may also damage buildings and create issues for agriculture and forestry.
As a property owner or developer, do you think you have spotted signs of contamination? Would you like us to investigate your suspicions and avoid unpleasant surprises?
Depending on the issue, our environmental specialists can provide the following support services:
-
Planning and conducting soil sampling
-
Analysis of soil samples in a certified external laboratory
-
Preparing usage recommendations
-
Monitoring and documenting the removal of contaminated earth during construction projects and supervising its excavation
-
Surveying and monitoring neophytes; evaluating and designing control measures
Your contact in German-speaking Switzerland:
Lars Schudel Co-divisional manager: Contaminated sites/ Senior project manager: Environmental planning
Certified Geographer
lschudel@ecosens.ch +41 44 839 47 40 More
Melanie Vögtli Co-divisional manager: Contaminated sites
MSc Environmental Engineering, ETH (Federal Institute of Technology)
mvoegtli@ecosens.ch +41 44 839 47 71 More
Your contact in French-speaking Switzerland:
Stefan Fuchs Partner, Fribourg branch manager
Diploma in Geological Sciences BENEFRI UniFR Geologist CHGEOL
sfuchs@ecosens.ch +41 26 422 39 55 More
Case studies
Removal of contaminated soil combined with archaeological prospecting
In order to construct two apartment blocks on a former garden centre site, the slightly contaminated soil had to be removed to a depth of approximately half a metre and disposed of.
Assessment of soil contamination within the test perimeters for soil displacement
Parts of a large property site on Lake Zug were included within the test perimeters for soil displacement (PBV), with a higher potential for suspected chemical soil contamination.
Pesticide surveys on former experimental fields of an agrochemical company
Extensive arable farmland was leased by an agrochemical company for many years and used as an experimental field for chlorinated and other pesticides. No accurate information could be obtained about its long-term history of use and the insecticides sprayed.
Extension of Uster Hospital: Soil surveys and monitoring of soil displacement process
Uster Hospital is being converted and extended in several phases. Some of the new buildings will be accommodated in the present parking lot and a lawn is being temporarily used for installations and temporary parking. Some of these areas have been entered in the test perimeters for soil displacement (PBV).