PROJECT STORY
The challenge
In Grenzach-Wyhlen, former gravel pits had been backfilled with waste of different origin and composition. This waste is now contaminating the groundwater.
Decontamination of former "Kesslergrube" landfill
A program of consistent environmental restoration for maximum impact: back to nature
The solution
The comprehensive restoration project—one of the most spectacular of its kind—included an excavation of the soil and thermal treatment of the hazardous materials.
The impact
When the restoration is complete, there will be no traces of unnatural soil and groundwater contamination on the site. The site will be primed for redevelopment.
365,000 tons
contaminated soil
239 million euros
estimated total costs
8 years
total duration of restoration
The challenge
Until the 1970s, the former gravel pits in Grenzach-Wyhlen—a municipality close to the borders of Switzerland, France and Germany—were being used as landfills for waste streams of various origins and compositions. The waste left behind—including residential and commercial waste, as well as waste from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries—is now polluting the groundwater. Roche Pharma AG is one of the companies that used this landfill to dispose of waste and now owns part of the site. In 2012, Roche decided to undertake a voluntary full restoration of its part of the former landfill known as "Kesslergrube".
The solution
Arcadis is managing the complex restoration process on behalf of Roche Pharma AG. Managing this organizationally and technically challenging project, which has attracted a great deal of public attention, involves tracking progress, costs and deadlines, as well as procurement processes, change management, claim management, risk management, emergency management and quality management.
As soon as the remediation is completed, there will no longer be any evidence of unnatural soil and groundwater contamination on the site. Nothing then stands in the way of a sensible subsequent use.
The impact
By voluntarily embarking on a full restoration of its part of Kesslergrube, Roche Pharma AG is acknowledging its responsibility. The company plans to complete a high-quality, permanent restoration of the environmental damage, completely eliminating all risks posed to people and the environment. The area will be suitable for redevelopment for any purpose.
