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Environmental Site Assessments - Phase I & II
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
 1. Purpose and Scope of Work
The purpose of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is to assess the environmental risks to a property and to comply with the due diligence property
inspection requirements of the Innocent Landowner Defense under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 and subsequent
amendments. The Phase I ESA seeks to determine the potential for contamination to a property, rather than the degree or extent of any contamination. The scope of work for a
typical Phase I Environmental Site Assessment consists of the following:
- Prior Use History
- Visual Inspection
- Limited Preliminary Asbestos Survey
- Underground and Above ground Storage Tank Search
- PCB Electrical Equipment Identification
- Review of Environmental Databases (ASTM Protocol)
- Review of aerial photographs for past use activities in the site area
- Contact with regulatory agencies for recorded information regarding possible
hazardous material handling, spills, or storage at the subject property.
- Review of available information to characterize the general geology and
hydrogeology at the subject property
- Review of the potential for contamination by radon, lead-based paint, and lead
in drinking water.
2. Research Capabilities
AquaTerra performs a thorough review of various federal and state environmental databases in an attempt to determine if
the subject property or a neighboring property is involved in government cleanup or enforcement activity.
Follow this link to review the database list
Reports
Our Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment reports meet the requirements of both FNMA Guidelines (multifamily only)
and the ASTM Designation E 1527-00, Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process.
The assessment report for properties with minimal environmental exposure will state no recognized potential
environmental hazards were identified after the investigative protocols were completed. The report will state that no further investigation or responses are required.
The report on a property with recognized, potential environmental exposures will include a qualitative description of each
environmental hazard and a cost effective resolution is provided to our Client.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
1. Purpose and Scope of Work
The purpose of the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is to quantify the existence and extent of
environmental hazards on a property. The Phase II investigation begins after the identification of possible or actual site
contamination. The Phase II ESA utilizes site exploration, sampling, monitoring, and laboratory analysis to quantify and classify the potential contamination, and its objectives include:
- Confirming or refuting the existence of a suspect environmental hazard on the property
- Quantifying the extent, if any, of the environmental hazard
- Developing a cost-effective remediation plan
- TX VCP Applications and Compliance
2. Types of Phase II Site Assessments
- Comprehensive Asbestos Surveys
- RCRA Audits of chemical or industrial plants
- Subsurface Investigations for encroaching contamination
- Air sampling
- Chemical analyses of suspected hazardous waste contamination
3. Methodology of Phase II Assessments
Representative samples are obtained from all areas identified as being potentially contaminated, including the land
surface and subsurface, buildings and other site facilities. A sampling and field-testing program to assess the extent and severity of site contamination may include:
- Soil borings and exploration of suspected fill areas
- Sampling of contents from tanks, drums, and sumps
- Sampling of areas which have had past spills
- Liquid and sediment sampling in ponds, ditches, and streams
- Soil vapor studies
- Tank leakage testing
- Radon measurements
- Asbestos surveys
Phase III Environmental Site Assessments - Visit Remediation Services
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