PHASE II ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

When a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) identifies a recognized environmental condition (REC) or the potential for impacts to the subsurface at a site, most clients request to evaluate the potential impacts by performing Phase II Environmental Testing.

The purpose of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Report is to evaluate the presence, or absence of, petroleum products or hazardous substances in the subsurface of the site.

What are the differences between a Phase I ESA & Phase II ESA? Phase 1 ESA assesses the likelihood of contaminants being present, while a Phase 2 Subsurface Investigation assesses whether or not the contaminant is present in the area. Phase 1 ESAs review records, involve visual inspections of the property, and interview current and past property owners to determine the likelihood of contamination. A Phase 1 ESA often leads to the need for a Phase 2 Subsurface Investigation, if it looks like contaminants might have been the area.

It is very important to make sure a Phase II ESA, is evaluated the presence of a REC or an environmentally impacted property can greatly reduce its value.