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EHS Techniques prepared the Baseline Soil and Groundwater Report for three pharmaceutical companies located in Catalonia, in compliance with the requirements set by Spanish and European environmental regulations.
Several Autonomous Communities, including Catalonia, now require the submission of Baseline Reports under Royal Decree 9/2005 and Directive 2010/75/EU on Industrial Emissions (IED), as part of the Integrated Environmental Authorisation (IEA) process.
EHS Techniques’ experience in this field ensures the accurate determination of soil and groundwater quality conditions, as well as the identification of potential contamination resulting from past or ongoing industrial activities.
Scope of the Study
The project involved the complete preparation of Baseline Reports for three pharmaceutical sites with different operational characteristics.
Key activities carried out included:
- Documentary review and historical data collection, including inventories of hazardous substances, storage and handling practices, and waste management records.
- Site characterisation, defining geological, hydrogeological, and land-use conditions.
- Identification of potentially contaminated zones associated with the use of solvents, reagents, and other chemicals typical of the pharmaceutical sector.
- Design and execution of sampling campaigns for both soil and groundwater, with strategically selected locations to ensure representativeness.
- Evaluation of analytical results against regional and national reference thresholds.
- Determination of the need for further investigation or remediation, when contaminant levels exceeded regulatory limits.
In some facilities, the detection of subsurface contamination required additional investigation and remediation phases, employing advanced techniques such as high-vacuum extraction, pump-and-treat systems, in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) and enhanced biodegradation.
Methodology Applied
EHS Techniques adopted an integrated, regulatory, and scientific approach, ensuring data reliability and compliance.
The main project phases included:
- Preliminary site assessment (Phase I) through documentation review, site inspection, and interviews with facility staff.
- Exploratory and detailed investigation (Phase II) involving drilling, piezometer installation, and soil and groundwater sampling.
- Accredited laboratory analyses for organic and inorganic parameters (heavy metals, chlorinated solvents, hydrocarbons, etc.).
- Interpretation of results and risk evaluation, comparing findings with national and regional reference values.
- Definition of the site’s environmental baseline, establishing current conditions prior to any operational change or decommissioning.
- Design and implementation of corrective and remediation measures, when contamination was confirmed.
All tasks were performed under strict quality assurance and regulatory compliance criteria, ensuring full acceptance by the competent environmental authority.
Benefits of the Study
The work conducted by EHS Techniques provided the pharmaceutical companies with:
- Full legal compliance with Catalonia’s environmental requirements and European IED obligations.
- Comprehensive knowledge of site conditions, supporting preventive management of environmental risks and liabilities.
- Reduced uncertainty regarding future inspections or authorisation modifications.
- Implementation of effective remediation solutions, tailored to the type of contamination and local hydrogeological conditions.
- Enhanced corporate sustainability, reinforcing the pharmaceutical sector’s environmental commitment.
EHS Techniques
EHS Techniques offers specialised services in soil and groundwater characterisation, investigation, and remediation, as well as Baseline Report preparation in line with environmental legislation.
Our extensive experience in complex industrial projects, particularly in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, allows us to deliver reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable technical solutions.
EHS Techniques is a trusted environmental consultancy partner, supporting companies in responsible site management and environmental protection while ensuring compliance with the highest regulatory standards.