Soil testing results good news for more Sandilands residents

20 June 2005

The results of  further soil testing at 13 Sandilands properties have revealed that all contaminants are within acceptable levels.

Christchurch City Council has advised residents of the results and their property files  (Land Information Memorandums or LIMs) will be adjusted to say their soil meets acceptable criteria.

The properties were initially among 93  properties on the former Sandilands landfill site that were tested for soil contaminants last year. Of these, 81 have now been found to meet acceptable standards and 12 have been recommended for remedial work.

“To find that only 12 properties in the area are being recommended for remediation is a great result for the people living at Sandilands,” Christchurch City Council Environmental Effects team leader Klaus Prusas said.

The Council’s benchmarks for acceptable standards at Sandilands have been that every property be safe for families, young and old, and that residents be able to confidently eat homegrown vegetables.  “The extra laboratory tests on soil from the 13 properties were needed to be sure that these benchmarks had been met,” Mr Prusas said.

The Council has applied to the Ministry for the Environment ( MfE) for funding assistance to carry out work on the Sandilands properties that have been recommended for remediation.

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