A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is an examination of a property in order to identify the potential for the release of petroleum hydrocarbons or other hazardous materials that could lead to liability to new property owners if not identified, evaluated, addressed, and properly managed. A Phase I ESA is typically conducted during the due diligence process and is conducted in accordance with the procedures outlined in the American Society for Testing and Materials Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments (ASTM E 1527-13), as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
A Phase II investigation typically includes obtaining samples of the site soils, groundwater, or building materials to analyze for various contaminants. If contamination is found, our team will develop a Remedial Design and Application, which is part of a Phase III ESA. The purpose of the Phase III is to delineate the physical extent of contamination based on the data from the Phase II report. A Phase III investigation requires coordination with the client and regulatory agencies to achieve the desired clean-up levels of the soil and/or groundwater. The Phase III process utilizes the expertise of the AJM team and the most recent scientific information to determine the best remedial strategy, while taking into consideration the logistics and costs to the client.
Once groundwater contamination is suspected and reported to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), a determination is made as to whether the impacts exceed state clean-up levels. Groundwater sampling will determine the extent and magnitude of the contamination, and AJM will coordinate with the client and the DEQ to design the best remedial strategy for the site
Contamination resulting from a petroleum release may be eligible for cleanup funding assistance from the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board. AJM will assist the client in obtaining funding assistance when possible, completing all necessary documentation and coordinating with the regulatory agencies.
Utilizing our years of experience in environmental investigations, AJM will design, install and maintain a remediation system tailored to the site conditions and contaminants of concern. Our personnel will complete all sampling and reporting as required by the DEQ.
If fuel storage tanks are not properly maintained, water and sludge buildup can occur withing the tanks. Due to new fuel blends including ethanol and low sulfur diesel, tank system are currently at a very high risk of failure due to corrosive properties of these new fuels. Less than 1/4-inch of water can cause microbes to grow and excessive sludge and phase separation will degrade the octane and fuel quality being delivered to your clients. This type of fuel degradation causes filter clogging and false ATG readings caused from excessive scale and sludge buildup in the tank bottoms.
Any water in tanks that contain E10 or greater blended fuel can increase the risk of microbial induce corrosion (MIC). MIC is caused due to ethanol being absorbed into the water phase. Microbes then feed on the ethanol at the fuel water interface causing sludge and phase separation to occur. The microbes then excrete organic acid which will corrode the steel tank from the inside out causing a significant release of fuel before the leak can be controlled. Older fiberglass tanks are also at risk of degradation due to non-compatibility.
AJM contracts with an outside vendor to provide a quick and cost-effective water removal service and comprehensive 3-stage tank cleaning and fuel restoration program to ensure premium fuel quality at all times. Unlike other tank cleaning services, this process will sweep the entire tank floor and sides to remove free phase water and sludge from the tank. Also, a complete a five filter system is used to remove all fine particulates down to 2-micros from the fuel so that your fuel will pass the ASTM D4176 standard for "clean-dry" fuel standard. Only liquid water, sludge and tank bottom scale is removed from the site.
Compliance is critical to avoid a regulatory violation. Even a seemingly small tank system violation may lead to a reduction of cleanup funding assistance. AJM professionals will bring your system into compliance before final inspections are completed. Having worked in Montana for over 20 years, we are informed and knowledgeable on current compliance regulations. An initial fuel system assessment by AJM will be followed by an estimate and recommendations for further work to make sure your facility and personnel are in compliance with current standards.
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