Directive reference – Arts 13–17 (verify)
A potentially contaminated site is one where past or present activity may have contaminated soil, identified using a list of potentially polluting activities (Art 14, verify). A contaminated site is one where investigation shows a risk to human health or the environment (Arts 15–16, verify).
The risk-based, stepwise approach is a national process of identification, investigation, risk assessment and management with public participation, due by 17 December 2029 (Art 13, verify). Site investigation follows priorities and timeframes, with water abstraction areas first (Art 15, verify). A site-specific risk assessment is followed by risk reduction such as remediation, use restriction or containment (Art 16, verify).
The register of sites is a public, free, georeferenced register of contaminated and potentially contaminated sites, due by 17 December 2029 (Art 17, verify). Under polluter pays, responsibility falls on the polluter, and public or EU funds may be used when none is identified (contaminated-sites chapter, verify).