Removing soil contamination

Rivierenland Environmental Agency

The Rivierenland Environmental Agency ( , ODR) carries out construction and environmental tasks for the municipality West Maas en Waal. Please contact them with any questions regarding soil contamination.

How does it work?

You have what is known as a duty of care. This means that you must prevent soil contamination and remove any contamination as quickly as possible and in its entirety. On the Soil Information Center Map , you can see the soil status for your street.

Liability

You may also be liable for soil contamination caused by someone else. The original polluter is liable. This liability is subject to a 30-year statute of limitations. After 30 years, you are liable for the removal of the soil contamination. This applies even if the original polluter can no longer be identified.

What should I do?

• If you discover that your soil is contaminated, you must report this to the municipality or provincial government.
• You must have contaminated soil cleaned up by a certified company. Ask your local municipality which companies you can hire for this.

Conduct a soil survey

• If you are buying a house or a piece of land, it is important to check with the local government beforehand to see if there is any soil contamination.
• Ask your real estate agent or appraiser for advice on whether additional soil testing is necessary. Also ask if an oil tank was ever installed in the ground. Most soil contamination on private property is caused by an oil tank in the yard.
• If you are planning to build or renovate, you must have a soil survey conducted. You will need this survey when applying for an environmental permit to build or renovate.

What do I need?

• the results of the soil survey
• a plan for having the soil contamination removed