Delivering multiple brownfield schemes/projects
Shortlisted for Contractor of the Year
ERS was founded over 30 years ago as a specialist contractor delivering hundreds of brownfield remediation projects varying in scope, contamination and complexity over that time.
Recently (2024 – 2026), our projects have included dealing with chromium legacy in our Glasgow backyard and taken us to remote
Caldew Riverside: NAPL recovery trenches in the centre of the site and recovery wells at the eastern boundary.
Scottish island locations and sunny Cornish sites. Sites include former gasworks, oil terminals, harbours, MOD facilities, petrochemical sites, and various manufacturing facilities requiring a range of techniques and posing varying challenges in terms of logistics and in respect of managing and leading multidisciplinary teams.
ERS recently completed remediation of Caldew Riverside in Carlisle which required the management of contamination migration from an adjacent gasworks, removal of NAPL and protection of the river Caldew. ERS assumed design responsibility achieving sign-off from all stakeholders for an LNAPL barrier, DNAPL and LNAPL recovery systems and an injectable PRB for long term dissolved phase management. Verification is underway.
At another gasworks site, this time in Scotland, the challenge was the remediation of a small, very restricted, site in close proximity to live infrastructure, residential neighbours and a salmon fishing river. Grossly impacted soils around tar boxes were removed, a perimeter “tube à manchette” cut-off wall installed and infill grouting used to reduce mobility of residual contaminants.
Glasgow has a well-known chromium contamination legacy. Recently ERS undertook field scale treatability trials for shallow soil and deep groundwater in Shawfield. Soil treatment involved stabilisation and chemical reduction. Delivery techniques comprised in-situ and ex-situ soil mixing, direct-push injection, and recirculation. In groundwater the reductants were trialled via injection and recirculation to depths of 50 m. A comprehensive site-specific working plan was agreed with SEPA covering 10 no. separate trials and including occupational and environmental monitoring.
Operating in remote locations is a common occurrence for ERS creating challenging logistical issues.
Glasgow, Shawfield: chromium field scale treatability trials
Lyness Wharf, Hoy: Containerised hydrocarbon recovery units
A former MOD facility at Lyness Wharf, on the remote island of Hoy, Orkney required ERS to design, build and operate a system to recover marine bunker fuel oil over a large tidal range. Containerised hydrocarbon recovery units operated 24/7 with telemetry for remote control and monitoring of system health, power use and volumes recovered, limiting the need for site attendance.
At Arnish on Lewis, ERS undertook landfill remediation to support the offshore renewables industry. This required the complete removal of the landfill, including shotblast waste, bunds, liners and cap.
Arnish, Lewis: ship being loaded with material for transport to mainland facility
The logistical challenges of this remote location were overcome by chartering sea haulage to remove the hazardous waste to a suitable mainland facility. Strict protocols on site and at both docks ensured client and regulator satisfaction and surrender of the PPC permit.
Remediation projects on operational sites pose additional technical and H&S challenges. ERS was contacted following the discovery of toluene and MIBK contamination during engineering works at an active pharmaceutical facility. ERS designed and implemented a programme of in-situ chemical oxidation to treat the contaminant plume in groundwater. This involved two ISCO campaigns, utilising injection wells and direct push injection and ERS’ bespoke batching and injection equipment and direct push rig all of which was delivered within the Client’s strict H&S regime and without requiring any facility downtime.
Inspiring and leading the project team.
ERS became employee-owned in 2016 and, as employee-owners, we realise that success depends on client satisfaction achieved through exceptional performance; this can only be delivered through strong leadership and continuous development.
The nature of brownfield remediation is such that expertise at ERS is vast with literally 100s of years of experience across an operational team comprising scientists (chemistry, microbiology, hydrogeology), geologists, engineers (civil, chemical, mechanical & electrical) as well as support staff covering HR, H&S, quality and environment system, finance, procurement, estimating, marketing etc...
Staff are organised in functional teams based on specialism and operate a matrix-based project management system where a project team is built specifically from the various functional teams to meet the project’s specific objectives and requirements.
ERS involves staff early in project management and supports project managers with a senior member of staff as contract manager, ensuring projects are delivered safely and to agreed quality, and commercial objectives. Project team members know they can seek support whenever required yet are empowered to make important decisions to ensure a safe and successful project. Many ERS staff will be exposed to estimating work as well.
Each new project begins with a pre-start meeting, led by the project manager and which involves the entire project team and a handover from the estimating stage. An open culture promotes a collaborative approach at all levels.
End of project reviews seek input from clients, the project manager, and project team members to determine what went well, what could have been done better but also what they learned and what should be shared more widely as useful experience.
We also ask staff whether they understood the “bigger picture” for each project. Feedback is shared quarterly with all staff.
“High level of professionalism, advice, agility and flexibility. Consistent throughout each employee”
- Head of Environment & Prevention for UK, Multinational Client
Commitment to promoting, enhancing, and developing guidance, procedures, and best practice.
Over 30 years ERS has continually worked to develop best practice and robust approaches to solving brownfield problems.
ERS was involved in the development of the licensing process for soil and groundwater remediation and is one of the oldest licensed remediation contractors in the UK. Alongside Perth Council we operated one of the first licenced STC’s in the UK where soil taken to their landfill was bioremediated and used for capping.
In Scotland specifically, ERS represented the Environmental Industry Commission (EIC) during consultations with SEPA, assisting in the development of the Land Remediation and Waste Management Guidance document.
ERS invests in R&D and operates an in-house treatability lab in Glasgow, initially focused on bioremediation and soil respirometry to optimise treatment. The laboratory has diversified to a wider range of techniques and ERS is currently collaborating with both Heriot Watt and Glasgow Universities on externally funded projects on novel soil remediation techniques.
ERS is keen to bring new technologies to the UK contaminated land market including molecular biology techniques such qPCR and DNA sequencing to optimise bioremediation processes. ERS provides regular seminars to consultants and regulators on the qPCR technique to increase awareness and understanding as part of the “lines of evidence” best practice approach.
In the global context of climate change, ERS developed a carbon accounting tool for remediation projects. Initial research was presented at the 2022 World Congress of Soil Science in Glasgow; and now forecasts environmental CO2e emissions of remediation projects and evaluates completed projects, as presented at the SCLF conference in 2024.
Recently ERS have started to focus on the growing issue of (micro)plastics in both land and water environments including a process for plastic removal from water via a funded research and development project.
Support for engagement groups
On establishment of the Scottish Government’s Contaminated Land Advisory Group (CLAG), ERS was the sole participating contractor; ERS now represents CECA Scotland on CLAG.
ERS was a founding member of the Scottish Contaminated Land Forum (SCLF) and has provided committee members, treasurers, and presidents over the last few years as well as regular presenters at webinars and conferences covering in-situ groundwater remediation, sustainability, chromium and hydrocarbons.
To celebrate the 30 years of SCLF in 2025, ERS’ Andrew Mackenzie delivered a presentation on “30 years of Land Remediation in Scotland” in which Andrew, supported by slides from other contractors, gave his perspective on the major projects, changes in regulation and guidance, and market forces that have shaped the development of the remediation industry.
ERS actively participates in the Resource Management Association Scotland (RMAS) with a Board Member and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) with a CLAG representative. ERS is a supporting member of CL:AIRE, a member of the British Drilling Association, the Property Care Association (PCA), and the International Spill Accreditation Scheme (ISAS) as a Spill Response Contractor.
Individually, many ERS staff are members of GeolSoc, IES, SoBRA or RemSoc and ERS support their membership and continuous development.
ERS is committed to supporting our local community and future generations of environmental industry workers regularly creating student placements and partnering with universities to provide site visits for geology and earth science students.
ERS donates a percentage of profit to local causes and charities nominated by staff members. Staff take part in annual fundraising events, and funds staff volunteering work for local charities and organisations.
Former petrol station, Glasgow: S6 Geography students visit to a remediation site.
Support, training, and progression of staff.
The key asset at ERS is our staff. ERS’ leadership recognises that company success will only be achieved via continuous staff development, from their initial induction and throughout their career.
Initial skill reviews are recorded on a training matrix to identify potential routes for skills development and initial areas of interest to pursue, and to compile a Personal Development Plan (PDP) for each staff member. PDPs are reviewed at least yearly to set new objectives based on expectations at various stages of an employee’s career, and to identify any additional training needs.
Team leaders are encouraged to provide coaching and mentoring support and to ensure that the skills and knowledge of more experienced employees are shared with more junior employees. They are supported by ERS’ Training Officer, who is responsible for ensuring delivery of the company wide training plan and programme.
Given that brownfield work is multi-disciplinary, we are committed to cross-skilling our staff, to broaden their awareness and understanding of the full range of expertise across the company. ERS provides opportunities to learn and contribute to a variety of project types and runs regular lunchtime webinars to share project experience. This also allows younger staff to develop their presentation and public speaking skills in front of a (usually) friendly audience. We also invite external speakers with recent talks covering geophysics, drone technology and new remediation reagents.
Training needs are not always obvious and our project review process asks staff whether the project was in line with their experience, if they learned anything new and if there were learning points worth sharing more widely. The data is reviewed by senior staff and contributes to informing overall training requirements.
Where training needs have been identified to resolve project-related issues, the success of this training will also be evaluated in conjunction with the relevant Project Manager. Our training providers are reviewed to verify quality of training delivered.
Exemplary commitment to H&S.
Toolbox talk at Nairn GasworksH&S is a shared responsibility, and robust systems are built upon a positive and proactive safety culture. We operate a H&S Committee, with representatives from all teams and all levels of seniority, ensuring that frontline insights inform and shape directly our safety systems and strategy. Minutes from H&S committee are shared with all ERS staff to promote transparency and a quarterly H&S Bulletin keeps staff informed of the latest statistics, updates and guidance. We regularly carry out toolbox talks on site, such as the one being carried out in the photo on the left at a gasworks site.
Toolbox talk on a former gasworks remediation site. Field staff got to sit in the excavator to experience driver field of view.
ERS demonstrates our commitment to health and safety through dedicated leadership and robust monitoring. We employ a full-time Health & Safety Advisor who oversees compliance, drives best practice, and ensures continual improvement across all projects. This is supported by a robust system of data collection and performance tracking, reflected in our outstanding record of zero RIDDOR injuries over the past 12 years. We undertake a minimum of one formal H&S inspection per project each month for long-duration (4+ week) projects, alongside ad-hoc visits for shorter-duration works, ensuring risks are identified and addressed promptly. This structured approach reinforces our safety culture, promotes accountability, and maintains high standards across all operations.
Our commitment is further demonstrated through industry accreditations including CHAS, SafeContractor, Constructionline Gold, SMAS WorkSafe Contractor Avetta Consortium and Achilles UVDB.
ERS places equal emphasis on both physical and mental wellbeing. All site staff are first-aid trained and site managers SMTS trained. ERS employs a fully qualified Mental Health First Aider, offers access to a 24/7 confidential mental health helpline and provides access to wellbeing support. ERS actively promotes a healthy work-life balance through hybrid working.
