This type of pollution has destroyed the ecological balance of the soil and phreatic waters on more than 2500 ha. Salted waters affect both flora and drinking water quality in the surrounding areas. Petroleum pollution is caused by pipes breakings or leakages and affects 720 ha in four inventoried counties (Bacau, Covasna, Gorj, Timis).
To sum up, the preliminary data provided by ICPA shows that around 350,000 ha of which soil quality are affected by different types and degree of pollution, out of which around 30,000 ha are heavily affected. However, more data are needed and a risk analysis must be done in order to develop a project for soil improvement or remediation, especially for non-complying landfills, ponds, sterile deposits.
Presently, a study is being prepared, aiming at making a complete inventory of the contaminated sites due to waste landfills, as well as the clarification of their legal situation. After this inventory is completed, a risk assessment is required for each of these sites in order to establish their situation and to take appropriate measures for closure or rehabilitation.
There is more specific support needed to implement and enforce the environmental laws requirements, as follows:
- Support in permitting procedures for soil/subsoil remediation works/projects that need environmental agreement/permit,
- Provide adequate training to staff involved in the analyze of application forms for remediation works/projects to further issuing the environmental agreement/permit,
- Support in drawing up ‘Monitoring Procedures for Contaminated Areas’ for remediation and post-remediation phases,
- Support to develop analysis programs for contaminated sites to substantiate remediation actions/measures at regional level,
- Support to staff in developing a practical trial, for the most representative ‘case-study’ (complex contaminated site) in the region,
- To train staff to improve competencies for assessing remediation projects for contaminated sites; training on specific topics related petrochemical, radioactivity and chemical contamination of soil/subsoil with main pollutants,
- Support in drawing up Guidelines/Manuals to apply remediation methods for the main types of contaminated sites,
- Support to develop and improve data management related to soil and subsoil protection and ecological reconstruction.
