What is a Phase III Site Remediation?
A Phase III Site Remediation is the site-characterization and cleanup phase of a contaminated site. Additional site characterization
to establish the vertical and lateral extent of the soil and/or groundwater contamination may be necessary if this
contamination had been confirmed during the Phase II Site Investigation. Once this has been established, a remediation or
work plan can be implemented to remove, treat, and/or properly dispose of contaminated soil and/or groundwater. This is
typically conducted under the supervision of the local oversight agency in order to obtain a closure or no further action letter for
the site. Most lenders require this letter at contaminated sites before underwriting a loan to purchase the property.
When should a Phase III Site Remediation be conducted ?
When a Phase II Site Investigation confirms an environmental or health hazard identified in a Phase I Site Assessment of a
Property, a Phase III Site Remediation may be initiated based on the type, degree, and extent of contamination and subsurface
conditions at the Property.
What does a Phase III Site Remediation include ?
A Phase III Site Remediation typically involves the assessment of alternative cleanup methods, costs and logistics. The
associated work plan documentation details the steps taken to perform site cleanup and the follow-up monitoring for residual
contaminants.
A Phase III Site Remediation may involve further sampling using equipment found in the Phase II Site Investigation, such as a
truck-mounted drill rig (direct push or hollow stem auger), a limited-access rig, and/or a hand auger.
Following characterization of the lateral and vertical extent of the contamination, there are numerous methods available to
remediate a site. Depending on the subsurface conditions, type of contaminant, and other variables, various methods such as
dig and haul of soil, pump and treatment of groundwater, bioremediation, soil vapor extraction, neutralization in-place, may
be used to remove or neutralize the contamination.
Who can perform a Phase III Site Remediation ?
A Phase III Site Remediation should be performed by a professional who is experienced in geology, subsurface contaminant
movement, and soil and groundwater sampling procedures. In addition, a Phase II Site Remediation should be managed
by a professional having a minimum of a Masters in Geology, and preferably a Professional Geologist (P.G.) or Professional
Engineer (P.E.) Certification.
What standards control the performance and scope of a Phase III Site Remediation ?
A Phase III Site Remediation is typically performed under the oversight of state or federal agencies depending on the nature of
the remediation. In some cases, more than one agency may be involved in the oversight or regulation of different aspects of the
remediation process. Some oversight agencies include:
How much does a Phase III Site Investigation cost ?
The cost to perform a Phase III Site Investigation is based on a number of variables: including the location and size of the site;
type, extent, and degree of contamination; depth to groundwater, and subsurface conditions.
Please contact us by phone at 207-838-3168 to speak with a knowledgeable member of our team.
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