Contaminated Groundwater Handling

Contaminated groundwater is found on former industrial sites, landfills, fuel depots, and chemical works.
Contaminants commonly include hydrocarbons, heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, and leachate from waste.
Pumping contaminated groundwater during dewatering or remediation creates exposure and disposal challenges.
Skin contact with contaminated water can cause dermatitis, chemical burns, and absorption of toxic substances.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in groundwater can generate hazardous vapours when water is disturbed.
The Environmental Permitting Regulations require consent before discharging treated or untreated groundwater.
COSHH assessments must be completed for all identified contaminants before any handling begins.
Treatment methods include oil-water separation, carbon filtration, pH adjustment, and settlement tanks.
Contaminated groundwater is classified as controlled waste and must be disposed of at licensed facilities.
Air monitoring may be required where VOCs or other volatile contaminants are present in the water.

Protect workers' health	Contaminated groundwater contains chemicals that cause skin disease, poisoning, and long-term illness on contact.
Environmental compliance	Discharging contaminated water without treatment or a permit is a criminal offence with severe penalties.
Legal duty	COSHH 2002 and Environmental Permitting Regulations require assessment, treatment, and controlled disposal.

Do

Don't

Complete a COSHH assessment for all identified groundwater contaminants before work starts
Wear chemical-resistant gloves, boots, and eye protection when handling contaminated water
Test groundwater samples for contaminants before deciding on treatment and disposal methods
Obtain an environmental permit before discharging any treated groundwater off site
Set up oil-water separators or treatment systems as specified in the remediation design
Monitor air quality for VOCs where volatile contaminants are present in the groundwater
Contain all pumped water within bunded areas to prevent uncontrolled spills and runoff
Dispose of contaminated water as controlled waste at a licensed treatment facility
Brief all operatives on the specific contaminants present and the required precautions
Decontaminate equipment and PPE after contact with contaminated groundwater

DON'T pump contaminated groundwater directly into surface drains or watercourses
DON'T handle contaminated water without chemical-resistant PPE including gloves and goggles
DON'T assume groundwater is clean because it looks clear — contaminants are often invisible
DON'T discharge treated water without confirming it meets the permit discharge limits
DON'T store contaminated water in unbunded or unsealed containers on site
DON'T ignore vapour odours near pumped groundwater — they may indicate toxic VOC exposure
DON'T eat, drink, or smoke until hands and face are washed after handling operations
DON'T mix contaminated groundwater with clean water to dilute it below discharge limits
DON'T skip air monitoring where volatile organic compounds have been identified
DON'T allow contaminated water to pool on site where it could contact other workers

See also: Contaminated Land Safety Awareness | Hydrocarbon Contamination Clean-Up

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