RAM - Risk Assessment Model Software

ESI Ltd. is pleased to announce the release of RAM 2, an innovative and powerful Risk Assessment Model developed for the assessment of risk to the water environment from contaminated land. The software is versatile and provides a customisable quantitative decision tool for risk-based groundwater assessment and decision-making in brownfield redevelopment and environmental protection using the latest UK Environment Agency methodologies.

The software is designed for risk assessment using the four Level Remedial Targets Methodology presented by the UK Environment Agency Methodology for the derivation of remedial targets for soil and groundwater to protect water resources (Environment Agency, 2006). 

• Level One compliance point = soil zone
• Level Two compliance point = the water table
• Level Three compliance point = downgradient passive borehole
• Level Four compliance point = abstraction or river

Levels One to Four are pre-configured for rapid assessment in both deterministic and probabilistic modes. Level 2 includes the option to model attenuation in the unsaturated zone.

Advanced Level uses a semi-analytical model designed to represent detailed site specific cases where multiple sources, pathway sections and receptors may need to be evaluated without compromising on the conceptual model involved.

There is also scope for customised site specific detailed water balances to be included in the model to simulate features of real site risks and remedial designs.

The software uses the Microsoft Excel environment and incorporates a powerful Laplace transform solution for rapid solution of the complex contaminant transport equations involved, making these powerful techniques widely available for the first time.

Prediction of contaminant transport and fate is based on the source-pathway-receptor approach enshrined in the Environmental Protection Act (1990) Part llA. The software is also consistent with the principles of the ASTM RBCA (Risk Based Corrective Action) as it applies to groundwater pathways, facilitating predictions of contaminant impacts as well as assessment of remedial target concentrations required to protect human health and the environment.

RAM Probabilistic utilises Oracle Crystal Ball, which is integrated into the package to enable a probabilistic approach to be developed. Crystal Ball is a Microsoft Excel Add-in tool from Oracle that uses Monte Carlo simulation to help analyse the risks and uncertainties associated with spreadsheet models. Features include sensitivity analysis, correlation, tornado analysis, precision control, and distribution fitting to historical data.

Features Include:

Benchmarking RAM1 by Environment Agency Methodology

On behalf of the Environment Agency, ESI Ltd. developed a methodology to benchmark risk assessment software tools against the modelling requirements for Tiers 1 to 3 of the Remedial Targets Methodology for assessing risk to water resources receptors from contaminated land.

The methodology comprises four case studies of groundwater risk assessments, and a series of questions to structure an analysis of the functionality and underlying assumptions/conceptual models of the software. The models compared in the project were: the Environment Agency’s Remedial Targets Worksheet, Golder’s ConSim, GSI’s RBCA Tool Kit and BP’s RISC.

ESI then benchmarked RAM1 using the Environment Agency Methodology. The performance of RAM1 in the case studies and results of the benchmarking exercise are given in following detailed report.

• Download "Benchmarking RAM:ESI’s Groundwater Risk Assessment Tool"