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GROUNDWATER
Identify nationwide groundwater methodology for contaminated sites in South Africa. Members interested in being part of the Groundwater Working Group should please contact the Champion.
Champion: Willem van Biljon (Service Provider).
email: willem@gptglobal.com
Abstract, Objectives and Added Value:
Currently service providers and industry choose their own methodology to determine screening values for groundwater contaminants. The aim of this working group would be to provide a general framework towards performing such risk assessments, based on international best practice, without being too prescriptive. The outcome would be a proposed methodology or set of methodologies that can be used to perform risk assessment, which screening criteria would be used and where screening will take place.
The general approach would be to refine the process whereby drinking water screening levels are used at the point of sampling, to a methodology where the such stringent screening levels are applied at the point of impact or point of compliance. Using ultra conservative screening levels at the point of sampling ignores the inherent attenuation that takes place in a groundwater environment.
A second important factor that is often not considered by authorities, is that background water quality might not conform to drinking water standards, especially in the case of naturally occurring minerals and compounds. In such cases the use of a screening methodology or risk assessment needs to take the background water quality into account and conclude in a scientifically justified manner whether conditions at a site pose an unacceptable risk.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO COMMENT ON THE POSITION PAPER
- Click on the link below and download the Position Paper document.
- Add comments on the document and save the document with your name and surname.
- Return document to admin@nicola-org.com.
- Closing date for comments: 13 October 2017
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
| Activity | Timeline | Purpose and Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Agree on the framework for the document. | 30 April 2017 | Establish the outline of the work plan. |
| First outlined technical draft of position paper. | 30 June 2017 | Limited literature review and shortlist of proposed screening techniques. |
| Update of outlined technical draft with members’ input. | 31 July 2017 | Update work plan and draft technical report. |
| Review by NICOLA Members. | 30 September 2017 | Canvass wider input. |
| Rework of technical report. | 1 October 2017 | Incorporate comments into technical report. |
| Review by NICOLA Members. | 15 October 2017 | Final comments on position paper by NICOLA members. |
| Presentation of draft report at the NICOLA Conference 2017. | 31 October and 1 November 2017 | Present position paper. |
| Decision on further work activities. | 30 January 2018 | To flesh out the important elements of the position paper into perhaps another position paper, or to conclude the working group. |
| Proposal to WRC for research. | TBD 2018 | Further research or more in depth report. Might be supported by NICOLA depending on the outcome of the WRC Proposal. |
Members:
Charles Mills (Service Provider).
Dale Barrow (Service Provider).
Robin Jeffrey (Industry).