CWE has been conducting environmental site assessments (ESA's) for many years. This experience has helped us continually improve our standards by increasing the level of detail and amount of data while also maintaining competitive fees.

Financial institutions routinely require environmental site assessments to establish a baseline and limit buyer liability during property transfers. Prospective buyers must prove they had "no knowledge" at the time of purchase and "no reason to know" of any contamination. To establish this, buyers must show they performed - prior to acquisition - all appropriate inquiries into the previous ownership and uses of the property as well as the use of adjoining properties.

You can't always tell by looking at a site whether or not contamination goes beyond simple yard debris. It is the landowner's responsibility to have the site assessed.

A Phase I assessment is a preliminary site evaluation to provide information on the potential for environmental liability. The Phase II assessment involves limited environmental sampling while seeking to ascertain whether or not contamination is present. A Phase III assessment includes extensive environmental sampling and seeks to define the degree and extent of soil and/or groundwater contamination.

ESA's provided by CWE will be tailored to your specific needs and property. We use our knowledge of your circumstances, financial institution requirements and the location of the property to develop a scope of work for the ESA that matches your budget and adequately assesses the potential for environmental liability. If a high-risk site indicates the need, CWE will recommend a maximum level Phase I, conforming to ASTM standards.