Phase 1 & 2 Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) in Tennessee

With dozens of years of experience offering environmental consulting and remediation, Alpha Environmental Services is the ideal choice for Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) throughout Tennessee. Our strong dedication to safety and customer satisfaction guarantees that both residential and commercial projects will be handled with expertise and care.

Our Expert ESA Services

Alpha Environmental Services rises above other Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental companies by featuring the following characteristics and offerings.

Family Owned  and Operated

Our company is built upon strong family values, including honesty and integrity, inspiring us to treat each of our clients with respect, kindness, and genuine care.

24+ Years of Experience

After decades of success in the greater Portland, Oregon, area, we expanded our reach to offer our top-of-the-line environmental services to the people of Tennessee.

Accurate
Reports

Our dedication to accuracy and transparency fuels our post-ESA reports, ensuring clients have reliable, intelligible information to make informed decisions.

Streamlined Process

Our familiarity with local regulations and substantial experience performing Phase 1 and Phase 2 ESAs allows us to evaluate your property quickly and effectively.

What is a Phase 1 ESA?

Phase 1 Environmental Service Assessments thoroughly evaluate the environmental risks associated with a property. Lending institutions and insurance companies throughout Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and other parts of Tennessee may require a Phase 1 ESA during property purchases or refinancing to ensure the land is safe and appropriately valued.

Phase 1 environmental companies should conduct these tests in accordance with ASTM Standard E1527-21 and the All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) requirements presented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to guarantee accuracy and regulatory compliance. Following these standards, they should thoroughly review historical land use, perform site reconnaissance, and interview relevant parties.

If the Phase 1 ESA identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs), it may warrant a Phase 2 ESA, which delves deeper into potential environmental issues.

Why Do I Need a Phase 1 ESA?

A Phase 1 ESA plays a crucial role in protecting property buyers from liabilities related to pollution; otherwise, they may be held responsible for legal transgressions if contamination is discovered on their new property after the sale is complete. This test can also ensure the property’s market value is accurate, giving buyers more confidence in their investment. By working with reputable Phase 1 environmental companies, current and prospective property owners throughout Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, and other parts of Tennessee can keep inhabitants safe and healthy.

This type of assessment can help pinpoint environmental hazards from various sources, including leaking underground storage tanks (USTs), pesticide or herbicide use, and nearby industrial activities. Through early detection, Phase 1 ESAs can potentially save property owners money and time by encouraging them to address contaminated soil or groundwater throughout their property before the remediation efforts get more expensive and cumbersome.

What Is Included With A Phase 1 ESA?

Each Phase 1 ESA may require a unique approach, depending on factors like the property’s layout and whether it is commercial, residential, or industrial. Nevertheless, some common components of a Phase 1 ESA are:

Preparing questionnaires for the property owner and user.
Reviewing relevant federal, state, local, and municipal records.
Researching how the land was used in the past.
Visually inspecting the property and surrounding areas.
Interviewing sources like tenants, property owners, and local officials.
Photographing the property and surroundings for documentation.
Assessing local geologic setting, soil characterization, and groundwater use.
Examining aerial photographs and Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.
Crafting a detailed report of findings and remediation recommendations.

During the above steps, an environmental specialist will look through previous environmental documents and reports, if applicable. They may also review historic permits, building department records, tax assessment maps, and title records.

*A demo survey for asbestos and lead is not the same as an ESA, so they are not included in the price. Although these demo surveys are not conducted as part of an ESA, we will suggest them if we discover potentially hazardous or harmful materials.

When do I need a Phase 2 ESA?

If we suspect potentially hazardous or harmful conditions, a Phase 2 ESA is usually required to obtain a more thorough evaluation of the contamination on the property. Typically, phase 2 environmental companies collect soil and groundwater samples and take them off-site to an accredited laboratory in Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, or a nearby part of Tennessee to analyze their hazardous substances comprehensively.

Most of the time, the labs test for various contaminants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, and petroleum hydrocarbons. This detailed analysis can help property owners understand the severity and scope of contamination, facilitating their ability to understand and schedule remediation strategies.

With the high-level reports that follow Phase 2 ESAs, property owners can protect the health of inhabitants, comply with regulations, and confirm their property’s value.

What is included in a Phase 2 ESA?

Soil Sampling & Site Characterization

Alpha’s expert-level geologists have conducted soil sampling and characterizations for numerous sites. While gathering core soil samples, direct-push sampling technology offers accuracy and cost efficiency. After analyzing the results, our scientists assess whether the findings suggest any risks to human health or the environment

Soil Testing, Profiling & Disposal

Our professional geologists and environmental scientists are highly skilled in soil testing and profiling. Thanks to our substantial experience, we can guarantee compliance with Tennessee’s regulatory standards for the disposal or reuse of soil samples. After the comprehensive soil sampling, our team can offer you the most economical options for managing the soil, allowing for its reuse or segregation and disposal.

Groundwater Remediation

Groundwater remediation and characterization involve the collection and analysis of groundwater samples. If contaminants are detected, Alpha’s geologists assess the nature, extent, and concentration of the contamination plume. Once the data is compiled, computer modeling calculates the plume's behavior and migration patterns.

Well Installation & Monitoring

Regulatory agencies often require the installation of groundwater monitoring wells to gather precise data on groundwater quality, flow direction, and gradients. Alpha’s scientists secure quotes from various drilling contractors to get the best price possible for our clients. Our team conducts quarterly sampling of multiple wells for site closure requirements.

Remediation - Design  & Management

If contaminants that require removal are detected, our team can organize and oversee the entire remediation process from beginning to end. This includes creating plans and specifications, providing excavation equipment, and securing agency permits.

Regulatory Agency & Site Closure

Site closure requirements are intricate and differ between counties. However, our substantial experience working with local regulatory agencies allows us to help clients identify the most cost-effective strategies for each investigation and remediation project, whether their property is in Knox County, Shelby County, or anywhere else in Tennessee.

Brownfield Assessment & Redevelopment

Alpha's environmental professionals regularly collaborate with real estate developers interested in acquiring contaminated sites for redevelopment. We provide thorough site characterizations and remediation estimates to help developers make informed decisions.

Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment identifies harmful contaminants that may threaten health and safety. Alpha evaluates factors like the contamination source, exposure pathways, and potential receptors. Then, findings are compared to TDEC-DOR’s screening levels for chemicals of potential concern to assess if exposure is safe.

What our customers are saying about us

Why Choose Alpha Environmental

Our goal is to get the job done right while protecting our client. We are committed to ensuring you are safe in your residence, no matter what. We are fully licensed, bonded, insured, and here to help with all of your environmental needs.

Family Owned & Operated

We pride ourselves on strong company values that translate into service levels which go above and beyond average service providers

21+ Years Experience

For over two decades we've been doing the dirty work, serving residential and commercial customers in the greater Portland area

Care & Ownership

Our entire team is committed to ensuring your home or place of business is safe and every job gets done the right way

Ready to get started?

A trusted member of our team will reach out within 1 business day to schedule