Synopsis of the Waterman Environmental Report

Synopsis of the Executive Summary of Waterman Environmental’s Risk Management Strategy report on the ‘Abbey Mills Mosque’ site at West Ham; March 2007

(Full report obtained by Cllr Alan Craig under the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

Intention

The intention of the report was to investigate and develop a management plan for the site, which from the late 19th Century to the late 1980s had been a chemical works producing organic chemicals, mercury compounds and acids. The site contains significantly contaminated soil and groundwater.

Conclusion

The environmental risk arising from the ground condition of the site was assessed as falling within the risk category “Medium to High”. The highest risk is to current site users (including construction workers) coming into contact with highly contaminated soils under the capping layer, the protective extent and thickness of which is not really known.  It also comes from the presence of ground gases such as methane.