F.A.Qs  

Oceans ESU Ltd has over 25 yrs experience of providing specialist environmental solutions for industrial, agricultural, retail, and municipal clients. The environmental solutions we offer are custom designed and engineered to meet the needs of the client. Our aim is to help our clients protect both the environment and their investments whilst complying with legislative requirements. When you enquire you will not only be assigned a project manager with whom to liaise, but you will also have access to the scientific knowledge of a multi-disciplined team of consultants and engineers.

Oceans ESU reed beds are highly engineered systems which are planted with phragmites australis. These reeds have an extensive root system which provides an ideal habitat for natural soil bacteria to thrive. These bacteria are very efficient at degrading a wide range of common chemical pollutants. Oceans ESU reed beds are designed and engineered to maximise the treatment efficiency depending on the effluent.

Reed beds provide environmentally friendly solutions for contaminated waste water problems. As well as providing a valuable wetland habitat for wildlife, they can also be an aesthetically pleasing feature to your development. Furthermore, reed beds are cost effective solutions with very low maintenance requirements (they regenerate naturally!). Oceans-ESU has provided waste water remedial treatment systems for many blue chip companies resulting in significant cost savings for the client.

There are few disadvantages associated with reed beds as they are cost effective and they can meet or exceed the treatment capabilities of many mechanical alternatives. Reed bed size depends on the volume and chemical composition of the effluent, and so for certain applications a significant amount of land may be required. However, Oceans ESU have also developed small modular reed bed systems (RIBs) for sites where space is limited, which can be as small as 3m by 2m. Contact us to discuss solutions for your application.

Reed beds are very efficient at treating a wide range of common chemical pollutants and waste water effluents. Examples include hydrocarbons, pesticides, domestic sewage, produced water, composting leachates, fire waters, chemical industry effluents, landfill leachates and many more. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

A RIB “Reeds In a Box” is an Oceans-ESU designed modular reed bed treatment system. It is an ideal solution for small scale effluent problems where space is limited. For larger scale remediation, a number of RIBs can also be installed in series. Typical applications include treatment of small volumes of domestic and industrial waste waters. For example, our RIBs are used on petrol forecourts as an alternative to an interceptor for the treatment of hydrocarbon contamination. The modular nature of the system means that the system is quick to install and larger scale remediation can be achieved using a series of RIBs.

This is usually a requirement of planning permission for a new development. Your local authority may ask that this is carried out to assess the risk that the site may be contaminated. The study involves examining historic maps and environmental databases to determine any past or present land uses which may result in contamination. A preliminary risk assessment and “conceptual model” is also provided – this is a summary of the findings presented in a format which is required by the council.

The preliminary risk assessment contained in the Desktop Study will determine whether the risk of contamination is high enough to require extra work. Should significant contamination be suspected, then it may be necessary to do some further work. For example, this may involve visiting the site to collect soil samples for chemical analysis. This is known as “Phase II Intrusive Investigation” and the outcome is a detailed report including quantitative risk assessment. The outcome of this report will conclude whether or not the actual levels of contamination on the site represent a risk to human health or the environment. If the land contamination is significant, Oceans ESU will work with you to develop a suitable remediation strategy to make the site suitable for development. At all stages, we will consult with the local authority on your behalf to ensure that decisions taken meet the requirements of the planning and environmental health departments.

The need for ecological surveys may arise for many reasons, but often it is required to support a planning application for a development (e.g. change of land use or new development). Surveys are conducted in the context of the project’s immediate footprint and the surrounding area. An expert ecologist will conduct the site survey which involves the examination of the site habitats and surrounding area. A data search will also be conducted for relevant information held by third parties, and a report will be produced to fulfil the requirements of the local authority planning department. Please contact us for further information

Typically, air monitoring surveys are used to protect the public and/or employees by ensuring that no one is exposed to harmful levels of dusts and vapour in the air. Oceans ESU Ltd can offer a wide range of monitoring surveys tailored to meet the needs of each individual client. Assessments are made in line with COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations and Workplace Exposure Limits. Our multi-disciplined team includes experienced chemists and toxicologists who make impartial assessments and recommendations for improvement. For further details, see our case studies or contact us.