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Environmental Health
Lewes District Council
Southover House
Southover Road
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1AB
Tel: 01273 484354
ehealth@lewes.gov.uk
Minicom 01273 484488
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Land Contamination
Land is monitored for contamination and action taken if it’s likely to cause problems for people or the environment.
We are required to inspect areas and identify any land that may be contaminated by past or present activities. If the land poses a hazard to people or the environment action must be taken to restore the land.
Inspections
Our contaminated land inspection strategy explains how we carry out the inspection process. Land is defined as contaminated if there is source of contamination and a pathway for it to reach people, rivers, streams, lakes and ecological systems.
In this case a Remediation Notice on the person or business that caused the pollution is served. If they cannot be found, for example if the contamination is historic, then the owner or occupier becomes responsible.
Whoever receives the Remediation Notice must do what is necessary to break the source-pathway-receptor relationship. This may not necessarily mean removing the contamination.
We keep a public register of any land that is determined as contaminated. This also includes any Remediation Notices served and what action is taken.
PDF
Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy 2008 (2.22mb)
How To Avoid Contamination
Most contamination could easily be avoided:
Never dispose of paints, oils or other chemicals down drains. These items can be disposed of at Household Waste Recycling Site operated by East Sussex County Council. Please check what items your local site can accept:
When carrying out demolition work make sure that all wastes are disposed of appropriately, if you suspect that any of the material is asbestos you should contact:
Heating oil tanks should be regularly inspected with the tank and pipe work checked for leaks.
