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Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
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Site Characterization

Effective Site Characterization requires experience, knowledge of geology, and an understanding of the nature of the chemicals released. In some instances a site requires multiple drilling events to characterize a release. When hiring the experienced professionals at Partner, you can be assured that the value of the client’s dollar is of utmost concern and that our technical expertise is being applied with this in mind.

Our Subsurface Investigation team is well versed in federal, state and local regulations governing how data is collected and analyzed, and what cleanup levels will be required. Our clients find that because of the accuracy of our Site Characterization services and our knowledge of remedial processes and regulations, our Remedial Cost Estimates are both reasonable and realistic.

What's Involved

Our Site Characterization services include:

  • What type of chemical was released, when and what are its characteristics
  • Soil gas / soil vapor analysis and migration
  • Vapor intrusion assessment
  • Contaminant plume delineation and flow – horizontal and vertical
  • Contaminant fate and transport modeling
  • Groundwater / surface water / vapor monitoring
  • Data gap analysis
  • Stormwater management
  • Feasibility studies
  • Regulatory support
  • Opinion of cost to closure
  • Third-party review
  • Risk assessment / toxicology
  • Litigation support and expert witness

Related Insights

Frequently Asked Questions

The specific steps involved in site characterization will vary depending on the circumstances, but they typically include:

  • Reviewing historical records of the site and surrounding area.
  • Conducting a site inspection to identify potential hazards.
  • Collecting and analyzing soil, groundwater, and other environmental samples.
  • Preparing a report that summarizes the findings of the investigation.

Site characterization may be required in a number of situations, including:

  • Before buying or developing a property, especially if there is a history of industrial or commercial use on the land.
  • If there is a suspected release of contaminants, such as from a leaking underground storage tank.
  • As part of the planning process for a construction project.
  • To comply with environmental regulations.

Environmental risks assessed during site characterization may include contamination from hazardous substances (such as heavy metals, petroleum products, or chemicals), presence of pollutants affecting air or water quality, habitat destruction, and risks to human health.

After site characterization is completed, the findings are used to develop appropriate environmental remediation or management plans. These plans may involve cleanup activities, land use planning, monitoring programs, or regulatory compliance measures, depending on the identified risks and goals for the site.

Digging Deeper

Site Contamination

When a site is identified as contaminated, our clients need answers to two vital questions:

  • How big is the problem?
  • How much will it cost to clean up?
Environmental Site Characterization

We get those answers through Site Characterization. Site Characterization (also called Subsurface Investigation or Site Delineation) is a process which may require the following steps:

  • Data gap analysis
  • Detailed examination of lithology
  • Integration of regulatory requirements
  • Soil, soil-gas and/or groundwater sampling
  • Strategic borehole placement and drilling for 3-D delineation of the contamination
  • Data analysis and conceptual model update
  • Human health risk assessment

During a Site Characterization, the goal of our engineers and geologists is twofold:

  1. Define the extent of the problem and
  2. Collect the data necessary to develop a remedial design and a realistic cost estimate to take the site through regulatory closure.

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