Overview of Services:
1. Consulting for regulatory compliance (Federal, State, and County rules)
a) Stormwater management
Clients must comply with increasingly stringent stormwater management requirements, and can benefit from reduced payments for stormwater servicing through better management (specifically, less stormwater runoff from the site). Consultants on our team have led in devising many of the new national stormwater rules at the US-EPA Office of Water/Office of Wastewater Management, and have unparalleled knowledge of what these rules entail and how best to comply with them.
b) Chemical review and registration
Clients who wish to expedite new chemical registration, chemical re-registration, and approval for new uses want to encounter a minimum of obstacles in this process. Our staff have many years of experience working in the US-EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, conducting pesticide risk assessments and performing chemical reviews. We are intimately familiar with what is required to obtain satisfactory and timely approval.
c) Environmental impact (for land-use changes, especially construction projects)
We provide rapid and project-appropriate environmental impact evaluations, tailored to the size, condition, and intended use for a site. No ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach – each situation will be assessed per the client’s specific needs. Further investigation will only be recommended if warranted.
d) Wetland & riparian zone preservation/mitigation/restoration/setbacks, including Clean Water Act Section 401/404 Review
Our staff have been at the forefront of wetland research, and have published extensively on this topic in peer-reviewed scientific journals. We bring this level of knowledge and commitment to all work involving these sensitive areas. Clients can rest assured that their project will be in full compliance with CWA requirements, and that these environmentally beneficial zones will be protected and remain fully functional. Degraded areas will be restored to their potential.
e) Green Infrastructure (GI) and Low Impact Development (LID) requirements for new development and re-development
Clients will want to have these requirements fulfilled with a minimum of delay and expense. Members of our staff are expert at applying GI/LID techniques to development projects and determining how best to have a built environment mimic the natural (pre-development) setting.
f) Retrofitting
Retrofitting existing structures for improved stormwater management, energy efficiency, etc., can be a major investment. The situation can be even more complicated if the structures have landmark status or are in historic districts, where limitations may be imposed on any changes to the structure or surroundings. We will devise the most effective and feasible retrofitting plan while remaining compliant with restrictions.
g) Utility upgrades, particularly wastewater management
Many urbanized areas require major utility upgrades to keep pace with increasing population. We can provide alternative solutions to standard ‘grey infrastructure’ expansion by utilizing on-site stormwater management techniques, thus minimizing the need for more off-site handling and treatment – allowing for less civic disruption and fewer overflow events.
h) Erosion & Sediment Control Plans
Soil loss and hillslope erosion are common problems during construction. We will help design and manage the development process to minimize erosion and sediment redistribution. In addition, where existing conditions have led to excessive erosion, sedimentation, and geomorphic degradation, we can develop plans to arrest and stabilize deterioration of landscapes.
2. Expedite National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program
Municipalities face escalating costs for managing stormwater, in the form of building new or expanding existing water treatment facilities, overhauling and upgrading obsolete conveyance systems, fines for discharging untreated water, degradation of stream channels, and increased flood damage. We can address all these issues simultaneously with a comprehensive plan that will not only help manage stormwater at the site level (thus partly eliminating the need for expensive, extensive utility upgrades) but will also greatly improve compliance with NPDES standards by reducing the volume and concentration of pollutants that are discharged. Our team includes members with first-hand experience within the EPA NPDES permitting office, so we can expedite the permitting process once solutions are in place.
3. Incorporate Best Management Practices (BMPs) in construction/development projects
BMPs include a wide spectrum of options, typically utilizing ESD and GI/LID. These encompass not only built structures but the entire project landscape. Land management during the construction phase is crucial for obtaining the best final result as well as for maintaining site integrity during active construction. Incorporating these techniques early in the planning stage leads to better results at lower cost, and helps ensure that projects seeking green building certification (such as LEED) will face fewer delays.
4. Act as liaison between real estate developers and government regulatory agencies
Dealing with government regulatory agencies can be frustrating for developers and property owners/managers. It may seem at times that they are speaking a different language. With many years of experience working within the government, our staff are familiar with how the system works and how best to achieve the desired results. We will act as the intermediary, and effectively communicate with regulators on their own terms.
5. Provide Sustainable Design recommendations, based upon site conditions (region, rainfall patterns, topography, soil type(s), vegetation, local restrictions, and other factors)
One of the biggest worries landowners might have is that they will be forced into a pre-determined set of requirements that are impractical and prohibitively costly. However, we understand that every site is different, and there is never a single solution that is always applicable. Instead, we take a holistic approach to each site, and carefully evaluate all the important factors that can determine which methods will be most effective. Sustainable design is not a static formula – it requires careful consideration of the client’s needs, the relative feasibility and costs, and should be site-specific.
6. Water resources management
Quality water as an essential resource is becoming increasingly scarce. Planning for future contingencies is in the best interest of everyone. We evaluate groundwater and surface water supplies and develop a program for short- and long-term water resources management that will help ensure that viable water sources will be there when they are needed.
7. Implementation of Sustainable Agriculture methods; including Integrated Pest Management (IPM), phytoremediation, use of native and xeric vegetation, etc.
Sustainable agriculture practices are important for protecting our food, soil, and waterways. Staff members here have worked on sustainable agriculture projects for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and are especially aware of the impact of agriculture on the environment. Determining which practices will be most appropriate is a service we provide with a distinctive insider’s perspective.
8. Drinking Water Quality Monitoring
Recent disclosures about unsafe water (e.g., lead levels far exceeding safe drinking water standards) in such places as Flint, MI have many residents in cities, towns, and rural areas understandably concerned about the quality of their water. These are unfortunately not isolated occurrences; within the past several years, similar events have been recorded in NC, SC, OH, MS, and Washington DC, to name a few. Often, the authorities responsible for providing safe water and alerting the public to potential hazards have either been unaware of problems or reluctant to divulge them to the public – typically for many months or even years. During this time, residents are exposed to dangerous levels of harmful contaminants. This is especially critical for the ill, the elderly, and most particularly, children, for whom exposure can lead to severe and lifelong problems. Relying solely on available information or inadequate commercial home-test kits does not assure water quality safety. We provide a service that specifically targets potential hazards based upon water supply, local conditions, and other factors. Our sampling/testing regimen is designed to optimize the likelihood of capturing even short-term or small-scale events that can result in potential exposure to contaminants. This service is suitable for those who obtain their water from a municipal supply (surface or groundwater) or even from a private well.
a) Stormwater management
Clients must comply with increasingly stringent stormwater management requirements, and can benefit from reduced payments for stormwater servicing through better management (specifically, less stormwater runoff from the site). Consultants on our team have led in devising many of the new national stormwater rules at the US-EPA Office of Water/Office of Wastewater Management, and have unparalleled knowledge of what these rules entail and how best to comply with them.
b) Chemical review and registration
Clients who wish to expedite new chemical registration, chemical re-registration, and approval for new uses want to encounter a minimum of obstacles in this process. Our staff have many years of experience working in the US-EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, conducting pesticide risk assessments and performing chemical reviews. We are intimately familiar with what is required to obtain satisfactory and timely approval.
c) Environmental impact (for land-use changes, especially construction projects)
We provide rapid and project-appropriate environmental impact evaluations, tailored to the size, condition, and intended use for a site. No ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach – each situation will be assessed per the client’s specific needs. Further investigation will only be recommended if warranted.
d) Wetland & riparian zone preservation/mitigation/restoration/setbacks, including Clean Water Act Section 401/404 Review
Our staff have been at the forefront of wetland research, and have published extensively on this topic in peer-reviewed scientific journals. We bring this level of knowledge and commitment to all work involving these sensitive areas. Clients can rest assured that their project will be in full compliance with CWA requirements, and that these environmentally beneficial zones will be protected and remain fully functional. Degraded areas will be restored to their potential.
e) Green Infrastructure (GI) and Low Impact Development (LID) requirements for new development and re-development
Clients will want to have these requirements fulfilled with a minimum of delay and expense. Members of our staff are expert at applying GI/LID techniques to development projects and determining how best to have a built environment mimic the natural (pre-development) setting.
f) Retrofitting
Retrofitting existing structures for improved stormwater management, energy efficiency, etc., can be a major investment. The situation can be even more complicated if the structures have landmark status or are in historic districts, where limitations may be imposed on any changes to the structure or surroundings. We will devise the most effective and feasible retrofitting plan while remaining compliant with restrictions.
g) Utility upgrades, particularly wastewater management
Many urbanized areas require major utility upgrades to keep pace with increasing population. We can provide alternative solutions to standard ‘grey infrastructure’ expansion by utilizing on-site stormwater management techniques, thus minimizing the need for more off-site handling and treatment – allowing for less civic disruption and fewer overflow events.
h) Erosion & Sediment Control Plans
Soil loss and hillslope erosion are common problems during construction. We will help design and manage the development process to minimize erosion and sediment redistribution. In addition, where existing conditions have led to excessive erosion, sedimentation, and geomorphic degradation, we can develop plans to arrest and stabilize deterioration of landscapes.
2. Expedite National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program
Municipalities face escalating costs for managing stormwater, in the form of building new or expanding existing water treatment facilities, overhauling and upgrading obsolete conveyance systems, fines for discharging untreated water, degradation of stream channels, and increased flood damage. We can address all these issues simultaneously with a comprehensive plan that will not only help manage stormwater at the site level (thus partly eliminating the need for expensive, extensive utility upgrades) but will also greatly improve compliance with NPDES standards by reducing the volume and concentration of pollutants that are discharged. Our team includes members with first-hand experience within the EPA NPDES permitting office, so we can expedite the permitting process once solutions are in place.
3. Incorporate Best Management Practices (BMPs) in construction/development projects
BMPs include a wide spectrum of options, typically utilizing ESD and GI/LID. These encompass not only built structures but the entire project landscape. Land management during the construction phase is crucial for obtaining the best final result as well as for maintaining site integrity during active construction. Incorporating these techniques early in the planning stage leads to better results at lower cost, and helps ensure that projects seeking green building certification (such as LEED) will face fewer delays.
4. Act as liaison between real estate developers and government regulatory agencies
Dealing with government regulatory agencies can be frustrating for developers and property owners/managers. It may seem at times that they are speaking a different language. With many years of experience working within the government, our staff are familiar with how the system works and how best to achieve the desired results. We will act as the intermediary, and effectively communicate with regulators on their own terms.
5. Provide Sustainable Design recommendations, based upon site conditions (region, rainfall patterns, topography, soil type(s), vegetation, local restrictions, and other factors)
One of the biggest worries landowners might have is that they will be forced into a pre-determined set of requirements that are impractical and prohibitively costly. However, we understand that every site is different, and there is never a single solution that is always applicable. Instead, we take a holistic approach to each site, and carefully evaluate all the important factors that can determine which methods will be most effective. Sustainable design is not a static formula – it requires careful consideration of the client’s needs, the relative feasibility and costs, and should be site-specific.
6. Water resources management
Quality water as an essential resource is becoming increasingly scarce. Planning for future contingencies is in the best interest of everyone. We evaluate groundwater and surface water supplies and develop a program for short- and long-term water resources management that will help ensure that viable water sources will be there when they are needed.
7. Implementation of Sustainable Agriculture methods; including Integrated Pest Management (IPM), phytoremediation, use of native and xeric vegetation, etc.
Sustainable agriculture practices are important for protecting our food, soil, and waterways. Staff members here have worked on sustainable agriculture projects for the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and are especially aware of the impact of agriculture on the environment. Determining which practices will be most appropriate is a service we provide with a distinctive insider’s perspective.
8. Drinking Water Quality Monitoring
Recent disclosures about unsafe water (e.g., lead levels far exceeding safe drinking water standards) in such places as Flint, MI have many residents in cities, towns, and rural areas understandably concerned about the quality of their water. These are unfortunately not isolated occurrences; within the past several years, similar events have been recorded in NC, SC, OH, MS, and Washington DC, to name a few. Often, the authorities responsible for providing safe water and alerting the public to potential hazards have either been unaware of problems or reluctant to divulge them to the public – typically for many months or even years. During this time, residents are exposed to dangerous levels of harmful contaminants. This is especially critical for the ill, the elderly, and most particularly, children, for whom exposure can lead to severe and lifelong problems. Relying solely on available information or inadequate commercial home-test kits does not assure water quality safety. We provide a service that specifically targets potential hazards based upon water supply, local conditions, and other factors. Our sampling/testing regimen is designed to optimize the likelihood of capturing even short-term or small-scale events that can result in potential exposure to contaminants. This service is suitable for those who obtain their water from a municipal supply (surface or groundwater) or even from a private well.
Services At-a-Glance:
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS & COMPLIANCE
Pollution Prevention Plans
Stormwater runoff from construction sites is an increasing concern. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) are crucial for stormwater management, and are typically required for issuance of construction or operation permits. We can evaluate your property for stormwater pollutions risks, and develop and assist with implementation of the SWPPP.
Environmental Compliance for Commercial Lenders and Property Management
Commercial lenders and property managers can be held liable for environmental compliance efforts stemming from preexisting site conditions over which they had no control, and be unprepared to adequately contend with these situations. We provide preliminary background research and help clients maintain compliance, thus minimizing risk of environmental fines and liens until the disposition of the property is settled.
GREEN BUILDING SERVICES
Sustainable design and green building methods are rapidly being adopted as standards for new construction and redevelopment. This is driven not only by federal, state, and local requirements, but also by the desire of businesses and residents to live and work in structures that are environmentally sound, esthetically pleasing, and healthful. Sustainability is not only good for the environment – it can be economically beneficial and good for business as well. Green buildings are increasingly in demand, and this trend is likely to continue and even accelerate. Although capital costs are often higher, they are frequently offset by better building system performance, lower long-term energy costs, and the higher rental rates these properties typically command. While many of the details involved with green building may appear confounding to property developers, owners, and managers, we simplify the process by determining the most effective and efficient means to achieve green building status with the minimum of project redesign, and offer a menu of options based upon practical, site-specific conditions.
Green Building Services we perform include:
WATER QUALITY MONITORING
Considering recent revelations regarding tainted drinking water throughout the country, many homeowners and citizens who obtain their drinking water from municipal water systems are understandably concerned about the safety and quality of the water they consume. While there are currently many services that provide water quality assessments, as well as home-test kits that can be purchased in stores or online, these may not allow for accurate or timely detections of potential problems. Likewise, local Drinking Water Quality Reports also miss important real-time events that can dramatically affect the quality of tap water temporally.
Contaminant pulses in water supplies are commonly linked to specific meteorological events. Similarly, water quality will be highly affected by the timing of pesticide, fertilizer, and other chemical applications in surrounding areas. Since these potentially significant contaminant pulses are generally short-lived and occur irregularly over the course of a year, they are rarely captured by common water quality regimens. Sampling for City and Municipal Drinking Water Quality Reports is typically done on a quarterly basis, so the chances of major events being included are minimal. Citizens who opt to have their tap water monitored by one of the major Water Testing Lab services will also only obtain data from these events if they know how to time their sample collection. In addition, many potential contaminants are not even measured in home test kits.
Oxadia Environmental offers a comprehensive water quality monitoring service for residents and businesses that want the most complete and accurate evaluation of the quality of drinking water emerging from their taps. We provide not only regular sampling, but perform tests specifically in response to those types of situations when water quality is most likely to be compromised. Homeowners and others who obtain their water from private wells may especially benefit from our services, since many contaminants can infiltrate groundwater – and subsurface contaminant plumes behave very differently from surface water pulses. Our staff includes experts who have assisted in developing cutting-edge groundwater detection methods and models that are currently the standards for government and industry.
- Determination of the most appropriate and effective Best Management Practices (BMPs) for a site, based upon local conditions and regulatory requirements
- Stormwater Utility Fees impact and mitigation assessment – including stormwater management plans and retrofit design
- Environmental risk analysis
- Watershed restoration and protection recommendations
- Wetland/riparian buffer preservation, restoration, and setback determinations
- Permitting and government liaison services
- NPDES and other regulatory compliance issues
- Erosion and sediment control design
- Stream integrity and water quality monitoring
- Groundwater, surface water, and soil sampling
- Assistance in meeting total maximum daily load (TMDL) allocations
- Environmental due diligence
- Preparation of environmental review documents for NEPA and state-level reviews, including Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements
- Public outreach materials/stakeholder engagement
Pollution Prevention Plans
Stormwater runoff from construction sites is an increasing concern. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) are crucial for stormwater management, and are typically required for issuance of construction or operation permits. We can evaluate your property for stormwater pollutions risks, and develop and assist with implementation of the SWPPP.
Environmental Compliance for Commercial Lenders and Property Management
Commercial lenders and property managers can be held liable for environmental compliance efforts stemming from preexisting site conditions over which they had no control, and be unprepared to adequately contend with these situations. We provide preliminary background research and help clients maintain compliance, thus minimizing risk of environmental fines and liens until the disposition of the property is settled.
GREEN BUILDING SERVICES
Sustainable design and green building methods are rapidly being adopted as standards for new construction and redevelopment. This is driven not only by federal, state, and local requirements, but also by the desire of businesses and residents to live and work in structures that are environmentally sound, esthetically pleasing, and healthful. Sustainability is not only good for the environment – it can be economically beneficial and good for business as well. Green buildings are increasingly in demand, and this trend is likely to continue and even accelerate. Although capital costs are often higher, they are frequently offset by better building system performance, lower long-term energy costs, and the higher rental rates these properties typically command. While many of the details involved with green building may appear confounding to property developers, owners, and managers, we simplify the process by determining the most effective and efficient means to achieve green building status with the minimum of project redesign, and offer a menu of options based upon practical, site-specific conditions.
Green Building Services we perform include:
- Analysis of property and buildings/structures to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective means for achieving green building standards and certification
- Sustainable site design and development recommendations, incorporating low impact development (LID) / green infrastructure (GI)
- Feasibility studies (financial and practicable) for implementation of specific environmental site design (ESD) techniques, such as cisterns, rain gardens, bioswales, pervious paving, green roofs, and other systems
- Brownfield redevelopment evaluation
- Retrofit costing and return on investment analysis
- Construction/redevelopment tax credit & rebate assessment
WATER QUALITY MONITORING
Considering recent revelations regarding tainted drinking water throughout the country, many homeowners and citizens who obtain their drinking water from municipal water systems are understandably concerned about the safety and quality of the water they consume. While there are currently many services that provide water quality assessments, as well as home-test kits that can be purchased in stores or online, these may not allow for accurate or timely detections of potential problems. Likewise, local Drinking Water Quality Reports also miss important real-time events that can dramatically affect the quality of tap water temporally.
Contaminant pulses in water supplies are commonly linked to specific meteorological events. Similarly, water quality will be highly affected by the timing of pesticide, fertilizer, and other chemical applications in surrounding areas. Since these potentially significant contaminant pulses are generally short-lived and occur irregularly over the course of a year, they are rarely captured by common water quality regimens. Sampling for City and Municipal Drinking Water Quality Reports is typically done on a quarterly basis, so the chances of major events being included are minimal. Citizens who opt to have their tap water monitored by one of the major Water Testing Lab services will also only obtain data from these events if they know how to time their sample collection. In addition, many potential contaminants are not even measured in home test kits.
Oxadia Environmental offers a comprehensive water quality monitoring service for residents and businesses that want the most complete and accurate evaluation of the quality of drinking water emerging from their taps. We provide not only regular sampling, but perform tests specifically in response to those types of situations when water quality is most likely to be compromised. Homeowners and others who obtain their water from private wells may especially benefit from our services, since many contaminants can infiltrate groundwater – and subsurface contaminant plumes behave very differently from surface water pulses. Our staff includes experts who have assisted in developing cutting-edge groundwater detection methods and models that are currently the standards for government and industry.