Profession: Environmental risk assessor
Position: Technical director
Years experience: 21 years
Qualifications: BSc, MSc (Eng), CIWEM, ASobra
Key skills:
Phase 1 and Phase 2 contaminated land assessment
Human health, controlled waters and gas risk assessment
Phase 3 remediation options appraisal and implementation
Environmental permit support
Planning and land development support
Expert witness advice
Andy Singleton is a highly experienced environmental scientist / risk assessor who has managed a wide range of environmental assessment projects in the UK and abroad, specialising in land quality assessment and site remediation.
Andy has extensive experience in site investigation relating to both contaminated land and water supply projects. As such he is fully familiar with the design, planning and implementation of a wide range and scale of site investigation programmes.
Andy has extensive knowledge of human health, controlled waters and ground gas risk assessment developed over years of practical application and through the delivery of numerous technical training courses. As such he is fully conversant with current UK regulations, technical guidance and a wide range of risk assessment methods and software tools.
Reflecting his level of technical competence Andy has provided expert witness services on a range of civil and criminal disputes relating to contaminated land and water pollution issues.
Andy’s wider environmental management expertise covers various aspects of environmental permitting, environmental impact assessment, environmental auditing, and environmental management systems.
In summary, Andy combines practical knowledge of effective site characterisation, with a comprehensive technical understanding of risk assessment techniques, and strong project management and communication skills to provide expert project steer and delivery.
Professional career
- 2016 to date : GroundFirst Ltd
Company director responsible for business development, project delivery, health and safety and quality assurance.
- 2003 to 2016 : ESI Ltd
Promoted through the company ranks from project grade consultant to Technical Director and Group Director. Ultimately responsible for the delivery of the Land Group business plan including an annual turnover of £1.2 million. Maintained project management and technical inputs across a wide range of contaminated land, hydrogeological and landfill studies.
Company Learning and Development manager (2014 to 2016) responsible for developing and delivering a training and personal development programme for 50+ staff.
Group manager (2010 to 2016), responsible for a range of operational duties including business development, resource allocation and QA management.
- 1996 to 2003 : Mott MacDonald Group
Worked as a hydrogeologist within the Water and Environmental Management team based in Cambridge. Responsible for a diverse range of technical project inputs, project management, business development, staff mentoring and delivery of internal and external training events.
Selected project work
Criminal case regarding groundwater pollution, North East England
Acting for the defence, provided an expert report in relation to a criminal prosecution associated with the alleged pollution of groundwater and operation of a waste management facility without a suitable environmental permit. Collated and reviewed in detail all case information, liaised closely with the defendants legal team and offered objective evidence concerning both environmental pollution and waste permitting issues.
Contaminated sediment dispute, Scotland
Acting on behalf of the defendant, provided technical evidence associated with a £50 million negligence claim relating to a major infrastructure project. Expert advice provided on the sufficiency of site investigations undertaken; the adequacy of material characterisation and waste classification; the reliability of the options appraisal performed; and the original cost estimates presented in relation to the critical remedial options. The case was subsequently settled out of court.
Claim relating to contaminated soils in new build residential gardens, Southern England
Instructed by the defence to provide expert advice in relation to site investigation and contaminated land matters associated with the development of eight new-build properties in southern England. The case was brought by the NHBC following the discovery of assorted metal, hydrocarbon and asbestos contamination in several of the rear gardens following occupation. Provided a detailed review of the adequacy of third party site investigation works and associated contaminated land advice, presented within an expert report. Opinion was also provided regarding the appropriateness of methods and cost estimates supplied by third parties in relation to proposed site clean-up.
Dispute concerning asbestos in soils at a residential development, Cornwall
Acting for the defendant, provided an expert report concerning contaminated land issues at a residential development site in Cornwall. The claim related to negligence in undertaking appropriate site investigations and more specifically the failure to identify asbestos containing materials within the subsurface. A site visit and client meeting was used to provide valuable context and background information; a subsequent review of all relevant documentation led to an impartial assessment of liability. This included the opinion that the defendant failed to perform their site investigation role with reasonable skill and care, although a further appraisal of the costs presented by the claimant identified the scope for significant reduction in the scale of any future settlement.
Dispute over use of waste materials in an agricultural development, Shropshire
Provided expert advice in relation to a civil claim associated with the alleged use of waste materials in the construction of a large agricultural building. The contested materials were used to form the sub base / foundations associated with the main structure. Additional site investigations were undertaken in order to assess the nature and chemical quality of the construction materials and to inform an environmental risk assessment. Subsequent expert advice was offered concerning the legitimacy of the material use from both a contaminated land and waste management perspective.
Investigation of a waste bund containing asbestos, Shropshire
Detailed characterisation of bund structure encircling a traveller’s site; bund formed from demolition wastes including known asbestos materials. Controlled site investigations undertaken and assessment of on-going risks from asbestos exposure performed.
Contaminated Land Investigation, Wolverhampton
Managed an extensive field investigation programme including intrusive site works and associated soil and groundwater sampling at over 250 residential properties. Additional investigation of local canal sediments, a nature reserve, school playing fields and various commercial premises. Responsible for planning and coordinating all site works, undertaking detailed quantitative risk assessments concerning potential risks to both human health and controlled waters, and contributing to remediation strategies including validation works and post validation reporting. Additional assistance given to public consultation and reporting processes.
Permit surrender support for two waste recycling centres, Northern England
Managed a programme of data review, site investigation, environmental risk assessment and interpretive reporting on behalf of Viridor in order to aid the surrender of environmental permits for two household waste recycling centres. The site investigations were agreed in advance with the Environment Agency following consideration of recent site activities and also the results of the original baseline site assessment. Targeted drilling and environmental sampling provided a clear picture of residual land quality and enabled both permits to be successfully surrendered.
Site Condition Report for metal smelting plant, Midlands
Managed the production of a Site Condition Report on behalf of Amtek, as part of the wider environmental permit application for a new metal smelting facility in the Midlands. A review of historical land use activities and the limited available site investigation data, alongside consultations with the lead Regulators, identified the potential for significant contamination to be present across the site. In order to adequately characterise the baseline ground conditions and therefore protect the client’s interests in relation to future permit surrender, a programme of intrusive investigation and risk assessment was undertaken. The resulting data was collated and interrogated in order to present a clear picture of the current land quality condition. A detailed site condition report was produced in line with the Agency’s H5 guidance.
Emergency spill response at a large manufacturing facility, Shrewsbury
Provided immediate response to a 40,000 litre diesel spill at an operational manufacturing plant. Managed spill containment, river clean-up, site investigation and remediation. Client praised by the Environment Agency for the speed and quality of the emergency response and remediation works. Risk assessment conducted to assess risks from residual free product.
Remediation of a former gas works site, Shropshire
Undertook an options appraisal for the remediation of four residential gardens and produced a detailed remediation design; responsible for producing the remediation strategy, reviewing contractor tenders and subsequent supervision and validation of the excavation and backfill works.
Contaminated investigation of a former chemical facility, Coventry
Project manager for large site investigation associated with former chemical storage site in Coventry. Responsible for planning and undertaking various site investigation works designed to delineate the extent of carbon disulphide contamination. Site works included canal sediment sampling, geoprobing (including investigation of 40 neighbouring residential properties) and deep borehole construction. Programme of indoor air monitoring established to assess human health risks from volatile contaminants. Remedial options assessed and specifications devised for the removal, backfilling and validation of contaminant hotspots and the construction and management of a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) to address residual dissolved phase contamination.
Preparation of 26 Phase I land quality risk assessments, Wrexham
Directed the production of preliminary contaminated land risk assessments for 26 publically owned sites in order to both assess opportunities for future land redevelopment and as part of the Council’s duties under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Redevelopment of Kimpton Industrial Estate, London
Managed a two-year programme of site investigation and risk assessment on behalf of the London Borough of Sutton. Responsible for site investigation design, environmental risk assessment and providing expert advice to the redevelopment Action Team.
Controlled waters risk assessment: industrial landfill on the Dee Estuary
Undertook a detailed conceptual modelling exercise including water balance modelling of a coastal landfill site (incorporating tidal influences). The subsequent controlled waters risk assessment included loading calculations and associated sensitivity analyses. Successfully demonstrated that minimal pollution was occurring. Gained agreement from the Environment Agency to remove the requirement for ongoing water quality monitoring.
Ground gas risk assessment for a former landfill, Stroud
Managed a twelve month programme of ground gas monitoring designed to clarify the landfill gas risks to local residential properties, including on-site buildings. Continuous gas monitoring, FID surveys and detailed conceptual modelling were employed to demonstrate the absence of a significant risk.
Land quality assessment of a former gas works, Telford
A phased site investigation to characterise potential contaminant sources at a town gas works which was operational until the 1970s. Relic gas works structures were successfully targeted and a detailed quantitative risk assessment undertaken.
The Avenue site: conceptual modelling and controlled waters risk assessment, Yorkshire
Managed an assessment of the controlled waters risks posed by a major former coking works south of Chesterfield. Responsible for data collation and assimilation, regulator liaison, conceptual modelling, risk modelling and detailed reporting.
Land quality assessment of an urban landfill site, Cheltenham
Conducted detailed site investigations at a playing field formerly occupied by an extensive clay pit and subsequent waste tip. Inputs included drilling and monitoring in neighbouring residential gardens, FID survey work, detailed conceptual site modelling, environmental risk assessment (DQRA) and risk communication.
Investigation of a fuel spill, Midlands
Project managed the investigation of a fuel spill at an MOD installation in the Midlands. Trial trenching and geoprobing used to define the shallow hydrogeology and determine the vertical and lateral extent of contamination. Human health and controlled waters risk assessments performed to the satisfaction of the Environment Agency. Recommendations for remedial actions presented.
Technical training
Director of ESI’s contaminated land technical training courses (2007 - 2016). Responsible for managing four courses per year relating to contaminated land investigation and risk assessment; preparing and updating materials, presentation and evaluating delegate feedback.
Preparation and delivery of contaminated land risk assessment course using RISC (2014).
Delivery of human health risk assessment presentation on Sheffield University MSc course (2007 - 2010).
Scripting and delivery of a 4-day contaminated land risk assessment course for Belfast City Council (2009).
Training for various LACL (Local Authority Contaminated Land Network) and CLOG (Contaminated Land Officer Group) events (2007 - 2012).
Preparation and delivery of various courses relating to contaminated land risk assessment on behalf of CIRIA.
Training of Environment Agency staff on groundwater model operation (1998 - 2002). Preparation and delivery of two-day courses to key technical EA staff associated with various groundwater modelling projects.