AAI conducts Phase II reports at sites where there is a potential or known soil and/or groundwater contamination. Phase II reports are typically limited in nature and are usually the result of a Recognized Environmental Condition being found in a Phase I report during a real estate transaction, or prior to an owner listing a property for sale. The Phase II report is only an initial screen of soil and/or groundwater, in order to determine if there is contamination.
Once contamination is found to be significant and/or to exceed federal, state or local cleanup or human-health risk standards, a further site characterization is required, in order to help establish the vertical and lateral extent of a contamination plume. In these situations, agency consultation is required in order to pursue closure from an oversight agency. A "no further action" letter is pursued, in order to make the property "sellable." In some cases, among sophisticated buyers, a liability transfer is negotiated and executed contractually. For regulatory-mandated cleanup and/or monitoring, the client can apply to available cleanup funds, when available, in order to recover moneys spent.
Hydrogeologic Studies
Hydrogeologic studies are conducted to determine the properties, parameters and characteristics of a groundwater-containing aquifer. These investigations are typically conducted to determine if there is significant contamination or potential contamination in a water-bearing zone. These studies are also associated with determining if an aquifer has the characteristics and properties to be useful as a water supply. The most common reasons for conducting hydrogeologic investigations are:
1. As part of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment for a real estate transaction
2. To determine if an aquifer can be used as a supply and to design an appropriate well design
3. Monitoring of groundwater at environmentally-sensitive locations, i.e. landfills, service stations, dry cleaners
4. Feasibility studies for remediation design
5. To determine if off-site sources are impacting groundwater at a subject property in civil liability cases
6. Due to regulatory-mandated cleanup or monitoring
Typical methods for determining groundwater characteristics:
1. Installation of pilot borings
2. Installation of monitoring wells
3. Installation of extraction wells
4. Pump tests
5. Groundwater modeling
6. Geophysical, logging and sieve-analysis for engineered sand packs and screening
Soils Studies
Soils investigations that are part of an environmental study are conducted to establish the chemical makeup of the soil in order to determine if there are significant amounts of contaminants that will require remediation or monitoring, or create land use limitations. These contaminants are sometimes present due to current or previous storage and use of hazardous chemicals at a property. These investigations are usually associated with Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments associated with real estate transactions, where a significant potential for significant contamination was determined in a Phase 1 report.
Geotechnical soil studies are conducted to determine physical characteristics and properties of soil for construction projects. These soils studies are conducted by licensed professional geologists with extensive experience. Here are some of the typical methods that we incorporate for collecting soil samples for environmental and geotechnical investigations:
1. Hand auger
2. Test pits by shovel for shallow sampling
3. GeoProbe or hydraulic push technology that minimizes waste-soil cuttings and is good for shallow sampling
4. Backhoe for trenching
5. Truck-mounted open-flight hollow-stem auger
6. Mud-rotary drilling
7. Air-rotary drilling
6. Directional and horizontal drilling
Water Well Design and Analysis
AAI designs and installs private, municipal and industrial supply wells. We conduct pilot studies, obtain permits, design wells, and oversee all aspects of the well installation process. By providing an engineered-designed sand pack and perforated casing, we are able to provide groundwater wells for large volume use in various geologic environments. Our hydrogeologic investigations will also determine if a supply well is even feasible at a specific location at the volume and/or quality that makes it suitable to the clients' needs.
Additionally, we can design and install groundwater monitoring wells at locations where known or potential environmental impact can occur. These wells can be provided for private investigations, agency-oversight projects and for legal cases.
