Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl  Substances (PFAS) -  good practice guidance for infrastructure asset owners,  property developers, housebuilders and other potential PFAS site  owners (P3308)

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made substances used in many industrial and consumer products. CIRIA’s published C819 Good practice guidance: some per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil and the water environment, in October 2024 and runs a PFAS forum to keep people up to date with developments. There are also other PFAS networks and organisations that deliver events and other mechanisms to  encourage good practice.

Despite these initiatives, PFAS continue to attract a lot of media attention. Whilst our understanding of the technical risk has improved, dealing with contaminants which have been called ‘forever chemicals’ and it is very wide spread is challenging to some infrastructure asset owners, property developers, housebuilders, and other PFAS site owners, etc.  They need further guidance that explains how to manage liabilities, secure insurance policy, how to manage consultants, contractors, and other professional advisors as well as local communities, etc. on the sites with such sensitive contaminants.

Project objectives

The new guide will explain:

• The current major technical and financial issues with sites that are contaminated  by PFAS for infrastructure asset owners, property developers, housebuilders and other potential PFAS site owners
• The pitfalls of the current risk assessment and remediation approaches 
• Whether it is possible to obtain insurance cover for these sites. If so, what are the issues to look out  for?   
• How to ensure consultants, contractors and other professional advisors are practicing good practice?
• How to effectively communicate and manage the risks to a broader group of stakeholders,  including local communities, shareholders and potential end users of the sites.

Project status
This project is currently seeking technical and financial support.

Further information
For further information or to get involved with this project please contact Joanne Kwan