Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) & Record of Site Condition (RSC)
Phase I ESA – Identify historical, actual, or potential site contamination at any type of site.
Phase II ESA – Evaluate the environmental condition of the subsurface soils and/or groundwater on the site in the areas of potential environmental concern (“APECs”) corresponding to the findings of the Phase I ESA.
- Record of Site Condition – Comprehensive report documenting the results of one or more ESAs of a property
Phase I ESA
Phase I ESA has become an integral part of due diligence on the site conditions for residential, commercial and industrial properties. Envirovision Inc. performs Phase I ESAs in accordance with the Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 153/04 and the Canadian Standards Association Standard Z768-01 to identify historical, actual or potential site contamination at any type of site.
A Phase I ESA may include, but is not limited to:
- Review of property history through the use of aerial photographs, insurance maps, environmental regulatory databases, interviews, etc.
- Visual inspection of the property and the surrounding area to determine past/current practices or circumstances that may present environmental concerns.
- Visual inspection of the structures on the property for the presence of hazardous/ designated substances.
- Prepare a report which presents an evaluation of the environmental conditions at the property.
Phase I ESAs do not include sample collection or analysis.
WHY COMPLETE A PHASE I ESA AT YOUR PROPERTY?
- Phase I ESA helps reduce uncertainty about potential environmental liabilities.
- Phase I ESA report can be used to make informed decisions about real estate and/or financial transactions (selling, purchasing, or refinancing the property).
- Phase I ESA is used to identify certain baseline environmental conditions, to assist in meeting regulatory requirements, and as an initial step in site remediation.
- Phase I ESA can be used as a basis for further investigation of the property. If a Phase I ESA reveals potential for contamination on the Site or surroundings, a Phase II ESA becomes necessary.
Our reports are written by experienced environmental professionals and are reviewed and verified by our team of experts in the field. Our reports are designed to provide an accurate and comprehensive analysis of the environmental conditions of the Site and the surrounding areas.
Phase II ESA
The purpose of a Phase II ESA is to evaluate the environmental condition of the subsurface soils and/or groundwater on the site in the areas of potential environmental concern (“APECs”) corresponding to the findings of the Phase I ESA.
The scope of work may include, but is not limited to:
- Visual inspection of the property to determine borehole/ monitoring well locations.
- Drill boreholes for the purpose of collecting soil samples and install monitoring wells for the purpose of collecting groundwater samples.
- Submit soil and groundwater samples for laboratory analysis.
- Review laboratory test results.
- Prepare a report that summarizes the activities, evaluation of the data, and recommendations for remedial activities, if necessary.
Based on field observations (including field testing with specific instrumentation) and laboratory results, Envirovision’s investigation determines the presence, nature, level, and extent of surface and subsurface contamination, and other site conditions. If a contamination of the soils and/or groundwater on the site was identified during Phase II ESA, the information can be used by the Client to determine the appropriate steps to remediate it.
Record of Site Condition (RSC)
A Record of Site Condition (RSC) is required under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and Ontario Regulation (“O. Reg.”) 153 as amended on January 1, 2014. As results of the amendments, a property owner is required to submit a clear and transparent RSC, including clear Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) requirements which reflect best practices. According to the Guide for Completing Phase Two Environmental Site Assessments under Ontario Regulation 153/04 dated July 2011, a RSC is “a report documenting the results of one or more ESAs of a property” that is filed electronically in the Environmental Site Registry (“ESR”).
A RSC becomes needed when the property owner considers changing the use of property from commercial/industrial to any of the following:
- institutional
- residential
- parkland
- agricultural
However, RCSs may also be requested by mortgage lenders and/or other financial institutions or even municipalities in circumstances other than the use of change (i.e. obtaining a loan or a plan permit). In any case, the change of use cannot be completed before a RSC is filed. Only Qualified Persons (QP) should be filling a RSC on property owner’s behalf. Whether your site is located in Toronto, GTA, and/or Ontario, Envirovison is your best choice for this service.