1. ESI’s Year in Review

2. ESI is the UK’s leading independent environmental and scientific consultancy,
specialising in Water Resource Management, Land Quality (Contaminated
Land and Landfill) and Ground Source Energy. With offices in the UK and Italy,
ESI supports clients across Europe to develop their opportunities, understand
and comply with environmental legislation and manage their risks through the
combination of sound science and a clear commercial understanding.
Overview
ESI has experienced an increase in demand across our portfolio of specialist environmental
services. We have successfully delivered a range of diverse projects through the application of
sound science and our leading technical ‘know how’. As our clients face economic challenges our
focus has been on understanding their needs and providing high quality tailored solutions. ESI’s
capability in Ground Source Energy has grown and our technical leadership position in this field
is now recognised through our increasing involvement in delivering sustainable energy solutions
both domestically and internationally.
We are pleased to showcase some of the prestigious and exciting
projects that we have recently been engaged on.
• Conceptual modelling of the London Basin Aquifer for the Environment Agency
• Expert witness work relating to land contamination, human health and controlled waters
risk assessment
• Abstraction impacts on stream eco-systems for Severn Trent Water
• Project management of a major diesel spill protecting a Blue Chip client’s reputation
• Implementing a Local Authority contaminated land inspection strategy
• Evaluating pollutant risks at one of the UK’s largest brownfield sites
• Supporting United Utilities to develop a new groundwater source
• Evaluating London’s Ground Source Energy potential for the Environment Agency
• Developing technical training courses to support client compliance with environmental legislation
• Ground Source Energy advice and modelling for a new IKEA store in Italy

3. Chairman’s Statement
“It has been another exciting year at ESI and, as my first as
Chairman, I am particularly proud of our achievements. In
addition to streamlining our organisation and making key
appointments, we have consolidated our international activities
and established a clear strategy for our future direction. We
have now embarked on a new growth phase building on our
core strengths and allied technical specialisms, which includes
ground source energy” Richard McCaffrey - Chairman, ESI Ltd.
A message from our Managing Director
“Our consultancy team takes pride in “getting it right”. Through
a rigorous scientific approach and a focus on quality, ESI has
developed over the last 15 years by recommendation and
word of mouth. We are keen to raise our profile and realise our
full potential. We would like to keep you abreast of ongoing
developments of our capability and show you how we make
a difference for our clients, which we feel is best achieved by
providing you with some examples of our recent work”
Mark Fermor - Managing Director, ESI Ltd.

4. 1. Developing an up-to-date conceptual
model of London hydrogeology
Client: Environment Agency
ESI has advanced the hydrogeological understanding
of the London Basin aquifer.
The aquifer beneath London is subject to a relevant hydrogeological processes. Based on
considerable number of pressures. As rising the most up-to-date geological interpretation of
groundwater levels are controlled, issues remain Chalk layering, ESI has been able to provide the
with abstraction sustainability, artificial recharge, Environment Agency with a deeper understanding
ground source energy, saline intrusion, groundwater of the aquifer system and the geological controls on
flooding and the Olympics. Whilst the aquifer is large groundwater flow within it.
on a UK scale, the groundwater resource is relatively This robust and quantified conceptual model will
limited and replenishes over long timescales. act as a starting point for the development of a new
The London aquifer is one of the most densely numerical groundwater model for London and ESI is
investigated and data-rich in the UK. After now undertaking further studies of the London basin
comprehensive literature review and data analysis, for the Environment Agency.
ESI developed a conceptual understanding of

5. 2. Expert Witness – Advising on contamination
risks and liabilities from diesel spill
Client: A UK law firm on behalf of a leading petrol retailer
ESI’s specialist staff undertake numerous expert witness appointments to
assist parties facing possible or actual litigation or regulatory enforcement
action, or in support of waste management permitting and water
resources or planning appeal hearings.
Following failure of pipework a major retailer lost up This work included advising as an independent
to 100,000 litres of diesel to the shallow subsurface appointed expert for the retailer on best practice in the
close to a river in northern England. The migration assessment and management of risks and liabilities
of hydrocarbons through the shallow groundwater arising from uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons
and drains system led to river impacts, and an active and their impact on neighboring sites and surface
remediation system based on soil vapour extraction watercourses, and appraisal of remedial actions.
and product skimming was implemented at the site. Following completion of investigations and a detailed
ESI was asked to provide expert witness services, quantitative risk assessment, the findings demonstrated
advising on the migration and fate of diesel in the that active remediation has addressed all significant
subsurface environment, and assessment of the contamination risks at the site. Further consultation
residual risk and remedial actions required to address is now ongoing to ensure that all stakeholders can
controlled waters and human health risks. provide relevant input before final report issue, remedial
system decommissioning, and nearby site development
for residential end use.

6. 3. Understanding abstraction impacts
on stream ecosystems
Client: Severn Trent Water
ESI has established a dedicated consortium to provide state-of
the-art eco-hydrology services to water companies.
Over the last eight years ESI and consortium risk that abstractions are causing perceived low
partners (ecologists, APEM and hydrologists, Hydro- flow problems. If further investigations are needed,
logic) have been working closely with STWL on key ESI will scope out the works. For some AMP3 and
groundwater dependent streams and wetlands in AMP4 sites new observation boreholes have been
the Midlands. Work has spanned the AMP3 and installed and extensive monitoring programmes
AMP4 programmes in 18 catchments and ESI has have been undertaken. At some of the sites the
reviewed the impact of over 30 abstractions. new data is clearly demonstrating that there is no
ESI has now been commissioned to carry out work abstraction related low flow problems, at other sites
on a further 20 sites during AMP5, initially carrying the scale of the problem is now being quantified
out desk studies of the hydrological and ecological and this will provide important data for the next
conditions in each catchment. ESI will develop an phase of work which is identification and costing
understanding of the hydrology and hydrogeology of remedial options.
of these catchments and quantitatively assess the

7. 4. Emergency clean-up of a 40,000 litre diesel leak
Client: Multinational manufacturing company
ESI minimised the environmental, reputational and financial
liabilities associated with a high profile fuel leak.
The rupture of ageing pipe work at a large later commended in a letter from the Environment
engineering plant in the West Midlands resulted in Agency. ESI’s contribution was regarded as
over 40,000 litres of red diesel being discharged to significant in minimising the long term impacts of
ground overnight. the leak.
The diesel moved rapidly away from the Based on the findings of an intensive site
underground leakage via on-site drains and was investigation programme (incorporating drilling,
subsequently discharged to a tributary of the River trial pitting, CCTV drainage surveys and forensic
Severn. laboratory testing), the extent of the fuel leak was
Within hours of the leak’s discovery ESI was on defined. A three month remediation programme
site working with the client team. An emergency followed, as a consequence of which over 80
action plan was promptly formulated, using the percent of the leaked diesel was recovered.
collective knowledge and skills of the client, ESI, As a direct consequence of the robust site
the local water company and the Environment characterisation and remediation programme
Agency. The speed and appropriateness of the undertaken the Environment Agency elected not to
project team response, coordinated by ESI, was fine or prosecute the client in relation to the incident.

8. 5. Implementing a Local Authority’s Part IIA
contaminated land inspection strategy
Client: North East Derbyshire District Council
ESI developed risk ranking software which takes into account
the specific contamination issues in northeast Derbyshire.
Local Authorities in the UK have a statutory duty The software enables instant ranking and
under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act prioritisation of sites within a Local Authority’s
1990 to “identify, in a rational, ordered and efficient overall strategy. As new environmental information
manner, land which merits detailed individual becomes available and is added to the system, the
inspection, identifying the most pressing and serious model is updated.
problems first.” The ranking approach is clearly structured and
ESI has developed bespoke software which readily updateable allowing relevant local issues
supports Local Authorities to identify and to be integrated into the risk ranking system and
rank potentially contaminated sites within the ensuring a robust and effective inspection strategy.
district forming the basis of their prioritised
inspection strategy.

9. 6. Assessing the pollution risks from one of
UK’s largest contaminated sites
Client: on behalf of the East Midlands Development Agency
ESI’s detailed pollution assessment led to the selection of
the best value remedial option.
The East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) The pollution impacts on the River Rother were
was responsible for an ambitious regeneration assessed using a stochastic risk assessment
programme associated with a former coking and modelling approach. A number of numerical risk
chemical works. The 98 hectare brownfield site models were configured using ESI’s specialist
included various solid waste tips and effluent waste software (RAM). The models allowed current
lagoons. The risks posed by the historical wastes impacts on the River Rother to be quantified, as
to the local environment were identified during well as the residual impacts following the
the initial phases of the regeneration programme. implementation of selected remedial engineering
Specific concerns were raised regarding the ongoing options. As such, ESI’s findings assisted EMDA to
pollution impacts on the River Rother, which passes select the optimal remediation strategy for managing
through the site. future impacts on the water environment at this
nationally renowned site.

10. 7. West Cumbria groundwater
resource development
Client: United Utilities
ESI is providing valuable support to United Utilities’ groundwater
team to develop a new groundwater source in West Cumbria.
United Utilities forecasts a shortfall in water Cumbria aquifer. In support of this ESI’s Water
resource availability in West Cumbria by 2015, Resources Team first carried out a scoping study
as abstraction is reduced from Ennerdale Water and initial field investigations to identify any issues
to support a downstream population of the that might constrain development of the resource
freshwater pearl mussel. To meet this shortfall, in a sustainable manner. ESI developed a plan for
UU is undertaking a project to deliver a new water borehole test pumping and four new production
resources scheme, water efficiency measures and boreholes were drilled during autumn 2010. ESI is
reduce mains leakage. currently collecting and analysing monitoring data
A key part of the scheme is the development of a to support a future abstraction licence application to
sustainable groundwater resource from the West the Environment Agency.

11. 8. Groundwater modelling: In support
of Ground Source Energy systems
Client: Various public and private sector clients
ESI’s new Ground Source Energy team is providing valuable support to both
potential developers and regulators of Ground Source Energy schemes.
ESI’s groundwater and thermo geology modelling cumulative impacts of Ground Source Heat Pump
expertise is in growing demand as the number of (GSHP) schemes in London. The work involves
Ground Energy systems being installed increases. further development of the FEFLOW models that
The need for effective thermal modelling using ESI developed for London Underground as part
FEFLOW (finite element code for modelling of the Cooling the Tube programme. ESI is taking
groundwater and heat transport) and some of our into account information held by the Environment
other tools is now recognised to assess both the Agency on new and proposed GSHP schemes
potential for thermal interference and the long term throughout central London. The project also builds
efficiency of installations. on ESI’s recent work to develop and document
ESI has been commissioned by the Environment a conceptual model of the hydrogeology of the
Agency - Thames Region, to develop a groundwater London Basin for the Environment Agency.
model that can be used to assess the individual and

12. 9. ESI Technical Training Courses
Client: Various, public and private sector
ESI is the UK’s leading provider of technical training for
professionals working in soil and groundwater science.
As environmental legislation evolves, environmental geostatistics to human health risk assessment. In
professionals from regulators and in-house advisors recognition of the budgetary constraints currently
to independent consultants have an ongoing and being experienced across the regulatory and
increasing need to continually update their skills and consulting communities ESI has also delivered
technical knowledge. ESI has developed a portfolio a variety of condensed training sessions (lasting
of courses, including modular and bespoke that can between 2 and 6 hours) to client groups at various
be tailored to individual or corporate needs. locations across the UK. These bite-sized regional
In 2010 ESI has continued to deliver a range of workshops and hands-on training courses have
high quality courses from our training facility in proved highly successful and will be further
Shrewsbury; topics range from environmental developed throughout 2011 and beyond to include
new topics such as Ground Source Energy.

13. 10. Ground Source Energy for IKEA, Italy
Client: IKEA Italy
ESI is one of the leading consultants in renewable energy
and Ground Source Energy in Italy.
Ground source cooling and heating is a major part The scheme is a 300 borehole closed loop scheme
of ESI’s Italian business. ESI has established itself which feeds the combined heating and cooling
as a leading consultant in the Italian renewable needs of the store, a well balanced energy demand
energy market. We help businesses develop energy over the annual cycle. ESI carried out the detailed
saving heating and cooling schemes and obtain modelling studies and heat plume predictions in
the necessary regulatory approval. Ground source support of regulatory negotiation and permitting. ESI
cooling schemes are strictly regulated in Italy where showed that the scheme provided a sustainable,
thermal impacts on aquifers could otherwise create energy efficient solution to the building’s needs
environmental problems. A typical large project is without any unacceptable impacts on the aquifer.
the 1.4MW closed loop scheme for the Corsico IKEA The scheme has now been successfully installed.
store in Milan for which ESI provided modelling to
support the design and impact assessment.

14. Director Overview
Mark Fermor Managing Director
Mark is a hydrogeologist with particular expertise in quantitative methods for resource
management, contamination assessment and groundwater modelling. He has practical
experience of investigating and remediating a wide range of contamination hazards in
soil and groundwater and in undertaking hydrogeological risk assessments using both
qualitative and quantitative methods. Mark has provided advice regarding regulatory
compliance and water quality legislation and standards for numerous industrial and
government clients. He also has extensive experience in providing expert witness services
and litigation support and negotiations, and provision of environmental assessments for
planning applications and appeals.
Richard McCaffrey Chairman
Richard is a successful Board Director and chartered civil engineer with over 30 years
experience in environmental services. Most recently he was COO of an international
engineering and environmental Plc where he contributed to a major growth phase
serving environmental markets. Previously, he established the environmental division
of a leading UK consultancy pioneering innovative landfill design and acting as expert
witness at arbitrations involving contaminated land. He now advises companies within
the environmental space on business strategy and is an accredited mediator on
environmental disputes. Richard joined ESI as Chairman in January 2009 where he has
been instrumental in devising the company’s corporate development plan.
Alan Herbert Director – Ground Source Energy
Alan is a hydrogeologist with over 25 years experience of groundwater resource
assessment, contaminant transport and heat transfer modelling. He has applied this
knowledge and experience to the issues facing Ground Source Energy below the
subsurface. Alan has considerable modelling and mathematical expertise applied to
Ground Source Energy problems through research and lecturing, where the development
of models to address heat transport was a particular interest.

15. Hannah Fraser Director – Land Group
Hannah is an experienced hydrogeologist with a broad range of experience in
contaminated land assessment and remediation, human health and environmental risk
assessment, mining and quarrying hydrogeology, and groundwater resource assessment
and development. She has worked nationally and internationally on a variety of projects,
with her technical roles including project design and management, contaminated land
assessment, remediation design and implementation, regulatory liaison and negotiation,
groundwater and risk assessment modelling, fieldwork and drilling supervision,
groundwater resource assessment and development. Hannah has extensive experience
of investigation of residential properties for the purpose of human health risk assessment
and has been involved in the design and implementation of both the investigation and
remediation of such sites.
Stephen Sykes Director - Company Secretary
Stephen is a well known environmental lawyer with broad commercial experience and a
strong track record in developing environmental products, services and businesses. He
has worked in the City of London since 1995 when he co-founded Certa (UK) Limited
(underwriting agent to Allianz), insuring brownfield sites in the UK and Europe for public
and private sector enterprises, including FTSE 100 and Fortune 100 companies and
their lenders, He was Chairman of Argyll Environmental (a desk top report provider)
from launch through to its sale to Landmark in 2010. He is the Managing Partner of
Sykes Environmental LLP. Stephen has been closely involved with the UK Environmental
Lawyers’ Association for many years, acting as Vice Chairman from 2002 to 2005.
Mike Streetly Director – Water Resource Group
Mike is a very experienced hydrogeologist and project director who is well known
throughout the industry for his skills and experience in water resource assessment.
He has strong numerical skills which have been applied to solving a wide variety of
hydrogeological problems and has extensive practical experience, particularly in the
design, installation and operation of hydrometric networks and pumping tests. Mike is a
regular contributor to professional conferences and has published papers on a variety of
topics. He has served as a member of the committee of the Hydrogeological Group. He
has project managed numerous hydrogeological impact assessments for the extractive
industry, including several of the largest limestone quarries in the UK.

16. For more information on any of these
projects or how ESI can help support your
organisation to make better environmental
decisions, please contact
Andrew James
andrewjames@esinternational.com
or call 01743 276100
ESI Ltd
New Zealand House
160 Abbey Foregate
Shrewsbury
SY2 6FD
T: +44 (0) 1743 276100
E: info@esinternational.com
W: esinternational.com