Sustainability and Remediation - Dealing with Contaminated Sites: From Theory Towards Practical Application - page 938

Environmental merits and cost

140

KFS

120

MF

100

80

60

40

IBC +

20

0

IBC

0 10 20 30 40

-20

Cost in million EURO

= =

Fig. 20.14 Comparison of remediation alternatives (IBC hydrological containment; KFS

buffer zone alternative; MF = complete removal alternative)

environmental benefit, than the complete removal alternative (Fig. 20.13 ). As illus-
trated in Fig. 20.12 the explanation is that, although the buffer zone alternative has a
lower value for the aspect “clean soil” than the complete removal alternative, aspects
with negative environmental values show only very low values compared to those
for the complete removal alternative.
The IBC+ alternative (hydrological containment) strategy has a negative overall
environmental benefit, but was the least expensive and has a negative environmen-
tal benefit, and leaves a long term liability from the contamination remaining in
situ . The estimated costs of complete removal of contaminations (complete removal
alternative) were considerably higher compared to a buffer zone alternative with a
remediation up to the T-value. As can be seen from the slope of the alternatives a
buffer zone alternative remediation up to the T-value will have the highest environ-
mental effectiveness (cost versus environmental benefit). Both the site-owner and
the local authorities expressed a preference for the buffer zone alternative, since it
involved active remedial measures.

20.5.5 “Sanergy” as a Sustainable Synergy of Remediation
and Groundwater Energy

A former industrial site in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, is being redeveloped into a
business and housing area. Buildings were planned to be heated and cooled with
groundwater linked heat pumps to provide sustainable energy and reduce their
CO 2 emissions. However, the groundwater is contaminated as a result of decades
of industrial activity. At an early stage of project design, the idea was conceived
to use the groundwater flows of the energy system also for the containment and
remediation of the contamination.