Assessment begins the process

Environmental Audits

Corporate environmental compliance programs, self audits, and environmental reporting obligations are becoming critical areas of concern for facility managers and corporate counsel. A comprehensive and sound compliance management plan is necessary to satisfy the ever-changing regulatory requirements placed on today’s corporations.

In performing an environmental audit, RRA evaluates whether or not a facility or site meets the current or potential regulations, Improper practices at a facility could lead to environmental damage, adverse health effects in the surrounding populations, and large financial losses through regulatory agency penalties or civil suits. RRA will identify the environmental and health risks at a site and associated actual or potential liabilities. Recently, many states have begun enforcing requirements and legislation regarding environmental information that must be documented for a property before there can be a transfer of ownership or termination of operations. RRA can provide valuable services to clients facing such situations, from performance of an environmental audit, which fully documents property use and existing conditions to providing testimony on legal issues.

Typically, an environmental audit will begin with a fact-finding mission with the client followed by a site visit by a RRA professional familiar with the relevant federal, state, and local regulations. RRA collects and reviews pertinent site documentation such as environmental reports, permit applications, and correspondence with regulatory agencies. RRA also interviews personnel with the knowledge of the site history and practices that may not be documented. Based on an evaluation of this information with respect to the regulations, RRA determines that either:

  • The site does not present an environmental hazard
  • The site warrants further investigation through sampling and other field investigation techniques to determine if it presents an environmental hazard
  • regarding permitting and/or cleanups

RRA documents the environmental audit process and its findings to assist the client in formulation an informed response to regulaory inquiries.

Site Assessment/Remedial Investigation

When clients have a potential contamination problem, they need information and an information and a solution quickly. The first step toward the solution of any environmental problem is to assess the site physiography, the nature of the contaminats, and the extent of existing and potential contamination. RRA performs comprehensive site assessments designed to define the existing site conditions in terms relevant to environmental issues and regulations.

Assessments identify the presence, extent and concentration levels of any contamination, and are performed for groundwater, surface water, soils or air pollutants. RRA uses a scientific, step-by-step approach to contamination cleanups. This approach allows us great flexibility in evaluating and solving individual problems. The main steps are assessment, remediation, monitoring and closure.  

  • Research site history
  • Perform soil gas surveys to assess organic vapors in soil using soil vapor points and portable gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, geophycical surveys (i.e., ground penetration radar, electromagnetic surveys)
  • Obtain soil samples using geoprobe sampling tools and install monitoring wells to obtain groundwater samples for analysis, and measure the depth and direction of groundwater flow
  • Assess quantities and types of liquid (free-phase) contaminants

The assessment is also used to develop a data base for soil and groundwater remediation. RRA hydrogeologists, engineers, biochemists, and chemical engineers can then use that information to identify remedial alternatives that may be applicable at the site, evaluater these alternatives, and recommend and environmentally sound and cost-effective solution. Engineered recommendation can address all four phases of  

RRA Soil Boring Services

Fifty percent or more using our innovative technologies and advanced field analytical methods can reduce the time and expense required for investigations. RRA provides a full range of drilling and soil sampling services with the use of a geoprobe soil sampler and associated tooling. This portable unit uses hydraulic action to provide coring services.

Fastest, most cost-effective screening method for volatile organic compounds. The probe collects and analyzes as many 20 samples a day. This system is highly mobile, with track-mounted sample collection for work at the most rugged sites. Sample field-testing accuracy compares with conventional, more expensive, laboratory analysis.

  • Soil sampling- sampling with direct push soil sampler methods eliminates the production of contaminated soil cuttings that require drumming and transportation and disposal. Coring soil produces undisturbed samples.
  • Soil gas surveys- both active and passive surveys can be performed on-site
  • Water sampling-mini-bailers, and hydro punch-type samples are available and do not require installation of permanent monitoring wells or well development water disposal.
  • Integrated site screening surveys offer mapping, and interpretation, and maximizes well locations.
  • Contamination: free, dissolved, vapor or adsorbed.

Risk Assessment and Evaluation of Intrinsic Remediation

RRA takes a proactive approach to risk characterization, utilizing the risk assessment process to drive the development of fast track, cost-effective, site sampling strategies and realistic remediation goals. RRA performs risk assessment to evaluate the potential for hazardous substance migration to receptors. Risk assessments are performed in accordance with the USEPA Superfund Public Health Evaluation Manual (USEPA 540/1-860 60). The key elements for evaluation are:

  • • Source of contamination
  • • Potential Receptors
  • • Migration Pathways
  • • Perform groundwater modeling if required to assess the effects of potential groundwater impact on down gradient receptors

Accurate Reporting

A report is a fundamental documentation of an investigative and remedial product, which we provide. We strive to ensure that our report thoroughly and accurately presents the data, which we have collected at project sites. We believe that the use of appropriate photo documentation, colored figures, and tables provide the reader with condensed information and expanded understanding.