The site was an open storage lot in an old industrial area of Oakland. The Property was part of a much larger area used as a cotton mill from 1883 thru 1954, and later for equipment, chemical and vehicle storage and maintenance. Soil and groundwater investigations indicated that low concentrations of non-volatile hydrocarbons were found to have impacted a portion of the rear yard. Based on the investigations the ACDEH will close the site under the LTCP. An SMP and deed restriction will be recorded.
The site consisted of a suite in a retail shopping center that once contained a dry cleaner. Soil gas samples indicated a leak of perchloroethene (PCE or “perc”) occurred but did not pose a threat to indoor air.
Groundwater (located at less than 5 feet), investigation defined the extent of contamination (LTCP # 3 and 4) and based on the low risk the RWQCB granted case closure under the LTCP.
A former foundry operated at this commercial building and utilized fuel oil that leaked into soil next to the building. ERAS determined groundwater was not impacted (defined extent, LTCP #3), and removed oil-contaminated soil (removal of secondary source, LTCP #2).
As a result of the presence of methane from degradation of oily contamination, ERAS installed a passive soil vapor mitigation system (VMS) to stop vapors from migrating into the building. The Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (ACDEH) granted closure under the LTCP with the recording of a deed restriction that included an SMP.
A commercial laboratory occupied this Property and solvents were disposed into an outside underground sump behind the building. The sump and contaminated soil were removed (LTCP # 2).
Trichloroethene (TCE) impacted groundwater spread down-gradient to adjacent parcels. ERAS installed monitoring wells to determine the extent of contamination (LTCP # 3 and 4). ERAS also collected sub-slab vapor samples inside an adjacent building that indicated no threat to indoor air. The RWQCB granted case closure under the LTCP.
ERAS conducted a technical review of historical documents to attempt to determine the source of chlorinated solvents (VOCs) found in 1988 in a former groundwater monitoring well on the Property. Files were reviewed to evaluate thedistribution and extent of VOCs nearby and sites.
ERAS conducted a Phase 2 soil and groundwater investigation under the oversight of the California RWQCB. The investigation indicated the presence of a regional groundwater contamination plume as well as some contribution of solvent contamination from a former tenant of the Property.
ERAS performed a sub-slab soil vapor subsurface investigation that indicated a possible threat to indoor air conditions. Based on these results, ERAS subcontracted an indoor air sampling specialist to evaluate risk of exposure to solvent from under the building. It was determined to be no risk to indoor air and the case was closed by the RWQCB.
Client: Mr. Jim Nicholson, Dinsmore Landscaping. occupant and prospective buyer of Property
ERAS ESA indicated the site once contained a fuel tank and two waste oil tanks but their locations were unknown. Previous Phase 2 sampling data indicated elevated concentrations of PCBs and metals in two locations.
ERAS conducted specialized and detailed historical aerial photographic evaluation to determine the location of the former fuel and waste oil tanks and the storage sheds where chemicals may have been stored. A Phase 2 soil sampling investigation that included fourteen(14) soil borings was conducted to take depth appropriate samples. An additional investigation was conducted to further delineate the extent of phenol in soil.
Client: Mr. Steve Shepard, Shephard & Sons, occupant and prospective buyer of Property
Property is in a heavy industrial area that was once part of the Kaiser World War 2 shipyard. ERAS performed additional historical research which indicated the Property is located on what was formerly San Francisco Bay marshland. ERAS also reviewed technical reports of Phase 2 soil testing and groundwater monitoring of 4 existing groundwater monitoring wells.
ERAS developed a complete cost estimate for site investigation and remediation of four separate areas on the Property contaminated with PCB’s, petroleum hydrocarbons and metals leading to case closure. ERAS performed three separate Phase 2 subsurface soil andgroundwater investigations that included a total of thirty-eight (38) soil borings with oversight from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB).
ERAS established it was likely the contamination was associated with the landfilling of the former marshland because the contamination was restricted to the groundwater interface at approximately 8 feet below ground surface. ERAS also established the contamination was restricted to the Property and there were no threats to off-site receptors or occupants of the building.
The RWQCB closed the case with a deed restriction that allowed current commercial use. The total cost of the case closure was approximately 30% of the original closure estimate.
Client: Mr. Yates McKenzie, Stella Capital. owner of Property
A Phase 2 investigation was conducted by another consultant on the subject site based on the former operation of machine shop and a foundry with a furnace located in the outside yard area. ERAS prepared a workplan for the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (ACDEH) and performed additional investigation consisting of additional soil borings.
It was determined contaminants of concern were petroleum hydrocarbons, naphthalene and lead. Soil vapor sampling indicated concentrations of naphthalene and also methane (from the degradation of petroleum) in subsurface vapor. Fortunately, naphthalene was not located in soil vapor under the building. Soil remediation was performed to remove soil with hazardous concentrations of lead and naphthalene, the soil was properly disposed as hazardous waste. A vapor mitigation system (VMS) was installed to mitigate the hazard of methane buildup.
ERAS prepared a Site Management Plan for operation and maintenance of the VMS and the case was closed by the ACDEH.
Client: John Murray of Murray Productions
We have been increasingly concerned about many Phase 1 reports that include recommendations for Phase 2 work. We therefore are offering a free training course on the purpose of a Phase 1 and how they relate to Phase 2 investigations. The purpose of this course is to clear up some of the confusion that is prevalent in this process.
It is our opinion that much of the reasoning for the necessity of the additional work is not based on specific concrete observations or other information by inspectors. This is bad enough in itself, but can become even worse if a Phase 2 is performed based on faulty Phase 1 information. The reader of a Phase 1 report should be able to determine why there is a problem, where it is and what the likely contaminant is.
As you know, a Phase 2 recommendation in a Phase 1 report is a problem for the banks, brokers, buyers and owners involved in a real estate transaction for the following reasons:
1) A Phase 2 investigation may add 4 to 6 weeks or more to the due diligence period resulting in escrow issues.
2) A Phase 2 may add significant cost ($5,000-10,000 or more) which could jeopardize the transaction.
3) If a Phase 2 is performed that is not sufficiently focused, it will not provide sufficient information to resolve the issue. 4) If a Phase 2 is performed that discovers contamination, additional investigation may be recommended leading to even further delays.
A Phase 1 environmental site assessment by ERAS indicated two underground tanks had been removed in the late 1980's from the site. Soil borings drilled near the former USTs and pump island indicated high concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons near the groundwater table. The Property was therefore an active leak case that could not be financed until it was closed by the local regulatory agency, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD).
ERAS conducted a soil and groundwater investigation to provide additional analytical data regarding the lateral and vertical extent of fuel hydrocarbons and MTBE in soil and groundwater. Following data collection, extensive file review analysis was conducted to supplement the site data, provide groundwater flow direction and analysis of down-gradient receptors. Case closure was granted by the SCVWD within 60 days of the initiation of the proposed work.
(Client: Mike Melton, Aerotron Manufacturing)
ERAS performed a Phase 1 project that identified oil filled underground quenching pits used by a former metal foundry that operated on the Property. The buyer wanted to convert the former industrial facility to a live work residential development. A Phase 2 project was designed that included drilling of soil borings inside the building to assess the subsurface for the presence of contamination. Analysis for a variety of possible contaminants of concern was conducted. Contamination was reported to the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (ACHCSA), who subsequently provided regulatory oversight.
Additional borings were subsequently drilled to delineate the lateral and vertical extent of contamination for the purposes of remediation. A Remedial Action Plan was submitted to the ACHCSA. After approval, approximately 3,000 cubic yards of soil was excavated and disposed. Confirmation soil sampling by ERAS indicated that contamination was successfully removed over the entire inside of the building. A small area of contamination remained in one area that was under the adjacent residential properties. The ACHCSA provided written approval for the planned construction activities within approximately 18 months of the initiation of the project.
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