Common Environmental Concerns

  • Hazardous Materials Storage

    Abandoned Diesel Fuel Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) and Drums/Containers of Hazardous Materials & Waste

  • Oil/Water Separator

    Old oil/water separator may be breached, allowing contaminantes to enter subsurface soil/groundwater

  • Hydraulic Underground Piston Lift System

    Old underground piston lift system leaking hydraulic oil into subsurface soils

  • Numerous 55-Gallon Drums

    Leaking and stained 55-gallon drums improperly stored on exposed soil

  • Surface Staining

    Surface staining identified within machine shop

  • Groundwater Monitoring Well

    Possible groundwater contamination beneath subject property

  • Soil Staining

    Soil staining observed beneath and surrounding damaged tote

  • Surface Staining

    Surface staining observed within light-industrial building

  • Dry Cleaning Machine

    Dry cleaning machine containing perchloroethylene (PCE), a chlorinated solvent used in the dry cleaning process

Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs)

A common deal breaker for any real estate transaction is the presence of a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC), which can be identified at a subject property during a Phase 1 ESA report.  A REC is the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products in, on, or at a subject property.

Some examples of RECs include dry cleaners, auto repair facilities, underground storage tanks (USTs), aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), 55-gallon drums, stained soil, oil/water separators, hazardous materials storage, and other related conditions.

If anything is identified in the Phase 1 ESA Report process that indicates the presence of hazardous materials, a Phase 2 ESA Report is usually recommended.

Although a REC can be a deal breaker, it may be possible to clear a subject property with a REC for unrestricted use under certain conditions when the contamination is deemed to be sufficiently contained and controlled.