On March 25, 2020, the implementation of the task entitled "Performance of environmental studies for the initial state" as part of the Project "Remediation of polluted areas in the area of ​​the former ZCH "Zachem" in Bydgoszcz in order to eliminate health and environmental hazards, including the Natura 2000 area of ​​the Lower Vistula Valley and the Baltic Sea.

The above task consisted of two stages. Stage I, completed in September 2019, included soil and earth tests in the remediation area of ​​26.9 ha, located in the direction of migration of pollutants from the landfill complex at ul. green. The obtained results of soil tests taken from the saturation zone (wet) predicted the presence of pollutants in groundwater, which were the subject of research in the next stage of the task.

Stage II of the works ended with the submission of the final report, which took place within the deadline specified in the contract, i.e. on March 25, 2020. Under this stage, groundwater from 43 geological wells, including 20 archival wells, was collected and analyzed in an accredited laboratory. 16 new piezometers and 7 new wells drilled under the Project. The scope of analyzes performed included substances characteristic of the production profile of the former Zakłady Chemiczne "ZACHEM" S.A. The results of the research showed that with regard to the tested substances and indicators, groundwater of good quality (quality class II or III) is present only in two tested boreholes.

In the remaining 41 research points, the chemical condition of groundwater was assessed as bad, including 12 boreholes of unsatisfactory quality (class IV) and 29 boreholes of poor quality (class V or non-class water), in which the values ​​of physicochemical elements indicate a significant the impact of industrial activity conducted by the former Zakłady Chemiczne "ZACHEM" S.A.

Substances determining the poor chemical status of groundwater in the entire study area include: phenol, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and adsorbable organochlorine compounds. The obtained results of environmental studies provide a coherent picture of the initial state of the soil and water environment and confirm that the actions taken under the Project are necessary to stop further propagation of pollutants to the areas of the Łęgnowo-Wieś and Łęgnowo housing estates.

 These results are an important starting point for the selection of technological modules for the designed innovative remediation installation, which will allow for effective pre-treatment/purification of groundwater and soil in the area covered by the Project.