An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) can help individuals choose the ideal property for any operation. It is a necessary process that acts as insurance for potential buyers. Before purchasing a facility, professionals should conduct an ESA to evaluate the property and determine if it is contaminated. Commercial and industrial stakeholders perform this as due diligence in dealing with property.
The Phase I ESA adheres to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s All Appropriate Inquiries requirements. It covers several building observations that clients need to address. For instance, if oil derricks once occupied an area, there is a probability that its ground is still contaminated. A Phase I ESA protects the prospective owner from environmental liability and contaminated property transactions.
Environmental professionals identify possible ecological hazards to the property, including its current and past operations. They research the property’s history and uncover any previous activities that might have exposed the asset to contaminated materials. They also look for public records and speak to past owners and community members to gather more information.
After reviewing the site’s historical records and gathering information, an environmental consultant and commercial building inspector NJ will thoroughly inspect the site and its surroundings. They will walk around the area and observe signs of waste or contamination, such as:
- Unusual substances in the soil
- Underground storage tanks
- Noticeable foul odors
- Spills or leaks
- Decayed vegetation
Once the commercial building inspection NJ is done, they will provide clients with a clear and concise report. It will detail any contaminated substances on the property. For instance, if soil samples are positive for hazardous material, the report will recommend mitigation. It can also suggest a Phase II ESA to detect any contaminants in the soil, water, or air.
Potential property buyers can get a Phase II ESA to establish remediation costs and negotiate with the seller. They can also ask for a discount if any environmental issues need immediate action. Buying a contaminated property can result in legal consequences and high costs in the future. Thus, they need to perform an ESA before property acquisition.
To learn more about Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, here is an article from Lockatong Engineering.
About Author
