CL:AIRE is a UK charity committed to providing a valuable service for all those involved in sustainable land reuse.
We develop training resources, disseminate information and act as a credible resource for all stakeholders, ensuring we remain at the cutting-edge of best practice and innovation.

 

Improving efficiency & raising standards
Improving efficiency & raising standards
Definition of Waste Code of Practice (DoWCoP), National Quality Mark Scheme for Land Affected by Contamination (NQMS), Asbestos in Soil, SuRF...
Supporting our Members
Supporting our Members
Find out about the benefits of becoming a CL:AIRE Principal or Supporter Member:- Member discounts, Networking, Working Groups, ...
Sharing Knowledge & Developing People
Sharing Knowledge & Developing People
Water and Land Library ( WALL), Continuing Professional development through Training and workshops...
CL:AIRE Membership
CL:AIRE works with its Members to raise awareness and pursue shared objectives in land, water and environmental management by collecting strategic industry information and developing industry initiatives that improve efficiency and save money.
Gas Protection Verification Scheme (GPVS)
The GPVS seeks to raise standards in membrane inspection, verification and reporting and provide confidence that risks associated with ground gases have been adequately managed.
Definition of Waste Code of Practice
The Definition of Waste Code of Practice (DoWCoP) provides a clear, consistent and efficient process which enables the reuse of excavated materials on-site or their movement between sites.

Find out more...Register of materials...
Make a declaration...
NQMS for Land Contamination Management
The National Quality Mark Scheme for Land Contamination Management (NQMS) is developed by the National Brownfield Forum to provide visible identification of documents that have been checked for quality.

Introduction to Brownfield Site Investigation: Topics

Overview

This page gives you access to all the training content on this subject, including links to the course structure, objectives and syllabus. A forum has also been created for the user to ask questions or provide feedback on the technical content of the subject. It is recommended that you read all the information before proceeding with module one. There are 10 modules to complete.

To access the modules, scroll down to the 10 module toggle bars and select the arrow icon. This will expand the toggle and display the full content of the module.

Once an activity has been completed, select the dotted tick icon to the right of the activity link. This informs the website that the training required to proceed to the next module has been passed.

This course has two assessments; the first after the reading list and video in module 1, and the second upon completion of module 10. Once all activities have been completed and both assessments passed, a personalised PDF certificate will be available to download.
N.B. The certificate can only be accessed once, so please make sure it is saved in a safe location prior to closure.

Module 1: An Introduction to Brownfield Site Investigation

This module consists of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with narration converted to streaming video format. The video is hosted on YouTube and has been embedded here. A good broadband internet connection is required in order to stream the video.

In addition to the video, a PDF of all the slides is available to print.

Once the video has been streamed, select the dotted tick icon to the right of the activity link to indicate that the activity has been completed. The next module will now become available.

Module 2: Documentary Research

This module consists of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with narration converted to streaming video format. The video is hosted on YouTube and has been embedded here. A good broadband internet connection is required in order to stream the video.

In addition to the video, a PDF of all the slides is available to print.

Once the video has been streamed, select the dotted tick icon to the right of the activity link to indicate that the activity has been completed. The next module will now become available.

Module 3: Site Reconnaissance

This module consists of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with narration converted to streaming video format. The video is hosted on YouTube and has been embedded here. A good broadband internet connection is required in order to stream the video.

In addition to the video, a PDF of all the slides is available to print.

Once the video has been streamed, select the dotted tick icon to the right of the activity link to indicate that the activity has been completed. The next module will now become available.

Module 4: Design of the Investigation

This module consists of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with narration converted to streaming video format. The video is hosted on YouTube and has been embedded here. A good broadband internet connection is required in order to stream the video.

In addition to the video, a PDF of all the slides is available to print.

Once the video has been streamed, select the dotted tick icon to the right of the activity link to indicate that the activity has been completed. The next module will now become available.

Module 5: Surveying

This module consists of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with narration converted to streaming video format. The video is hosted on YouTube and has been embedded here. A good broadband internet connection is required in order to stream the video.

In addition to the video, a PDF of all the slides is available to print.

Once the video has been streamed, select the dotted tick icon to the right of the activity link to indicate that the activity has been completed. The next module will now become available.

Module 6 - Service Avoidance

This module consists of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with narration converted to streaming video format. The video is hosted on YouTube and has been embedded here. A good broadband internet connection is required in order to stream the video.

In addition to the video, a PDF of all the slides is available to print.

Once the video has been streamed, select the dotted tick icon to the right of the activity link to indicate that the activity has been completed. The next module will now become available.

Module 7: Monitoring and Sampling

This module consists of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with narration converted to streaming video format. The video is hosted on YouTube and has been embedded here. A good broadband internet connection is required in order to stream the video.

In addition to the video, a PDF of all the slides is available to print.

Once the video has been streamed, select the dotted tick icon to the right of the activity link to indicate that the activity has been completed. The next module will now become available.

Module 8: Insitu testing

This module consists of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with narration converted to streaming video format. The video is hosted on YouTube and has been embedded here. A good broadband internet connection is required in order to stream the video.

In addition to the video, a PDF of all the slides is available to print.

Once the video has been streamed, select the dotted tick icon to the right of the activity link to indicate that the activity has been completed. The next module will now become available.

Module 9: Laboratory Testing

This module consists of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with narration converted to streaming video format. The video is hosted on YouTube and has been embedded here. A good broadband internet connection is required in order to stream the video.

In addition to the video, a PDF of all the slides is available to print.

Once the video has been streamed, select the dotted tick icon to the right of the activity link to indicate that the activity has been completed. The next module will now become available.

Module 10: Site Safety

This module consists of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation with narration converted to streaming video format. The video is hosted on YouTube and has been embedded here. A good broadband internet connection is required in order to stream the video.

In addition to the video, a PDF of all the slides is available to print.

Once the video has been streamed, select the dotted tick icon to the right of the activity link to indicate that the activity has been completed. The next module will now become available.

  1. Contamination & Land Remediation Expo is coming to the NEC Birmingham on 16-17 September

    Contamination & Land Remediation Expo is coming to the NEC Birmingham on 16-17 September

     May 2026
    Part of the Environmental Services & Solutions Expo (ESS Expo), the Contamination & Land Remediation Expo (CLR Expo) will bring together 2,800+ professionals from across the contamination, remediation, and geoenvironmental...
  2. CL:AIRE TRG Annual Report 2025 and new ECP

     May 2026
    CL:AIRE has now published the 2025 Technology and Research Group (TRG) Annual Report and it is available to download. The TRG is also pleased to welcome a new Early Career...
  3. SURRI publishes useful series of podcasts about preparing EU project proposals

    SURRI publishes useful series of podcasts about preparing EU project proposals

     May 2026
    The European Project SURRI (Sustainable Remediation of Radionuclide Impacts on Land and Critical Materials Recovery) has published a series of podcasts to understand more about EU project proposal building. They...
  4. ISO draft international standard on determination of inorganic arsenic species in soils has been published for comment

    ISO draft international standard on determination of inorganic arsenic species in soils has been published for comment

     May 2026
    ISO DIS 25251 Soil Quality - Determination of inorganic arsenic species in soils and soil-like materials has been published for comment. Comments should be submitted to Joanna Macnamara by 10 July 2026.
  5. POST publishes research briefing on Nature-based flood and drought resilience

    POST publishes research briefing on Nature-based flood and drought resilience

     May 2026
    The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) has published a research briefing on Nature-based flood and drought resilience. The POSTnote outlines the evidence, challenges and benefits for implementing catchment scale...
  6. Land Remediation Pathfinder Scheme - expressions of interest closing soon

    Land Remediation Pathfinder Scheme - expressions of interest closing soon

     April 2026
    Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced an Expression of Interest opportunity for the Land Remediation Pathfinder Scheme (LRPS). LRPS is a £80 million pilot scheme funded by Defra...
  7. Publication of MCERTS performance standard for rapid measurement techniques for the chemical testing of soil

    Publication of MCERTS performance standard for rapid measurement techniques for the chemical testing of soil

     April 2026
    On 27 April 2026, the Environment Agency published new guidance called MCERTS: performance standard for rapid measurement techniques for the chemical testing of soil. The guidance describes the certification process...
  8. The Environmental Monitoring & Measurement Achievement Awards (the EMMAs) - last call for nominations from land remediation industry

    The Environmental Monitoring & Measurement Achievement Awards (the EMMAs) - last call for nominations from land remediation industry

     April 2026
    The Environmental Monitoring & Measurement Achievement Awards (the EMMAs) will take place on Wednesday 16 September on the first evening of Contamination & Land Remediation Expo (CLR Expo). The EMMAs...
  9. New CL:AIRE Research Bulletin (RB22) published on legacy wastes in the coastal zone

    New CL:AIRE Research Bulletin (RB22) published on legacy wastes in the coastal zone

     April 2026
    CL:AIRE is pleased to publish a new research bulletin RB22: Legacy Wastes in the Coastal Zone which is available to download here. Legacy Wastes in the Coastal Zone: Environmental Risks and Management...
  10. EPA Ireland consults on developing national guidance for brownfield soil and stone by-product material

     April 2026
    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland has published a position paper for consultation as part of the development of national guidance for brownfield soil and stone by-product material. The guidance...
  11. UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee publishes its PFAS report

    UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee publishes its PFAS report

     April 2026
    The UK Parliament Environmental Audit Committee has now published its report Addressing the risks from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) following its inquiry and call for evidence in April 2025.
  12. National Brownfield Forum March 2026 meeting notes now published

    National Brownfield Forum March 2026 meeting notes now published

     April 2026
    The National Brownfield Forum March 2026 meeting notes have now been published and are available to download here.
  13. Defra consults on BNG and targeted exemptions for brownfield residential developments

    Defra consults on BNG and targeted exemptions for brownfield residential developments

     April 2026
    Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is consulting on a possible exemption from biodiversity net gain (BNG) for certain residential developments on brownfield land. Further information is available here.
  14. HSE launches consultation on Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)

    HSE launches consultation on Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)

     April 2026
    The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a consultation on the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) and it is now open for comments. The consultation seeks...
  15. Phase 2 of DoE Industry Profiles project is now complete

    Phase 2 of DoE Industry Profiles project is now complete

     March 2026
    A project to update 15 of the Department of Environment (DoE) series of 47 industry profiles has now finished with funding from the Environment Agency, Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental...
  16. Defra publishes Land Use Framework for England

    Defra publishes Land Use Framework for England

     March 2026
    Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the Land Use Framework for England. It sets out how England can use its land more effectively. The Framework has...
  17. CL:AIRE connects the industry: Bristol networking evening sets the scene for summer event

     March 2026
    CL:AIRE hosted another successful members' networking event, this time in Bristol at Racks Bar and Kitchen. The evening brought together professionals from across the sector for relaxed, informal conversation. CL:AIRE Members...
  18. Environment Agency publishes national groundwater nitrogen inventory for England

    Environment Agency publishes national groundwater nitrogen inventory for England

     March 2026
    The Environment Agency Chief Scientist's Group has published outputs from a research project: National groundwater nitrogen inventory for England (SC210008). The project developed and tested new approaches to assess national-scale...
  19. Defra consults on amendments to the POPs regulation 2026

    Defra consults on amendments to the POPs regulation 2026

     March 2026
    Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is seeking views on proposed changes to the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation, including drafted legislation to prohibit five new POPs to...
  20. RBKC Lead Modelling Tool published on WALL

    RBKC Lead Modelling Tool published on WALL

     March 2026
    The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) Lead (Pb) values and modelling tool has been made available for all to use on the CL:AIRE Water and Land Library (WALL).
  21. BSI publishes document on ecological soil functions

    BSI publishes document on ecological soil functions

     March 2026
    British Standards Institution (BSI) has recently published PD ISO/TS 18721:2026 Ecological soil functions - Characteristics, indicators and methods. Further information and purchase options available here.