THE CHALLENGE: A chemical plant in Belgium has been operational for more than a century. Historical production activities have resulted in heavy metals contamination (zinc and cadmium). Part of the contamination plume extends beneath an adjacent neighborhood. In addition, the plant is built atop the largest drinking water supply in Flanders.

THE SOLUTION: To prevent further seepage of the contamination into the ground and to contain the groundwater contamination at the site boundaries, the client retained ARCADIS to evaluate various remediation options and determine the most appropriate remedy. Simulation models were used to predict the effects of the various remediation techniques on the fate and transport of groundwater contamination.

THE RESULT: Hydrological isolation was determined  to be a cost-effective solution, preventing further migration of the contaminated groundwater.