Contaminated Land & Groundwater

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Contamination means the condition of land or water where any chemical substance or waste (a pollutant) has been added as a direct or indirect result of human activity and is present in concentrations above accepted background levels. Contamination can result from current or historic land uses. The presence of contaminated soil or water may indicate an adverse health or environmental impact.  To ensure land is suitable for its current or intended use, it may require environmental assessment, management and/or remediation.​

  • Land and Groundwater Legislation
    The legislative and policy context for the management of contaminated land in Tasmania.
  • Identification and Assessment of Contaminated Land

    Contaminated land assessment involves a staged process of investigation and risk assessment undertaken by suitably qualified and experienced consultants.

    The environmental assessment process aims to determine the nature and extent of contamination and the associated risks to human health and the environment relevant to any ongoing site management or proposed change of land use. The process usually starts with a site history to determine the nature of any contaminating activities that may have historically occurred on the site.

    Should your site host or have formerly hosted underground petroleum storage systems, you can find further information on the Underground Fuel Tan​ks webpage.

  • Regulation of Contaminated Sites
    In Tasmania, the meaning of a "contaminated site" is defined under section 74A of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA). Contaminated sites may be regulated under Part 5A of the Act. Where a pollutant is released into the environment at levels that cause or are likely to cause environmental harm, the person responsible must notify the Director, EPA. The assessment of contaminated sites must be in accordance with the NEPM (Assessment of Site Contamination) 1999 (as varied), which is a State policy.
  • Area-wide Contaminated Land Issues
    Cases of contamination that are or have been managed by the EPA, and which may be of public interest.
  • Publications and Resources - Contaminated Land
    The EPA has produced information bulletins that cover a range of contaminated land issues. Links to a number of other useful resources have been provided to assist in the assessment and management of contaminated land.