Aztech Technologies Inc. services

The end game of all investigative and remedial projects is to implement remedies that minimize and/or eliminate the threat presented by a site or source area to public health and the environment. However…remediation for the sake of remediation does not always result in the most environmentally friendly solution. Rather, consideration must be given to site investigative and remedial efforts in the context of the larger environment, where all environmental effects are evaluated so that the process of investigation and remediation results in a minimized environmental footprint.

At Aztech, we understand if a system is to function properly, it needs to be monitored and maintained. This is why we incorporate a central control panel that allows both Aztech staff and the client to monitor our remediation systems. Aztech staff design and build the control system to the demands at each project site. Each system is designed such that it provides ease of function, high accuracy, and reliability and is constructed from readily available, inexpensive components.

The phrase “soil vapor intrusion” refers to the process by which vapors migrate from a subsurface source, through soil and into the indoor air of a building where exposure is possible. Soil vapor, also referred to as soil gas, is the air found in the pore spaces between soil particles. After the contaminant partitions from the source and into “vapor” it travels through the pore spaces of vadose or unsaturated soil via diffusion or advection. If the vapor migrates into the radius of influence of an existing building, then typical building pressure differentials related to heating or cooling systems can draw the vapors into or below the structure where they can accumulate. In order to properly evaluate the soil vapor intrusion pathway, Aztech uses the recommended multiple lines of evidence approach where samples are collected from soil vapor, sub‐slab vapor, indoor air, outdoor air, groundwater and soil.

During drilling activities, temporary or permanent monitoring wells can be installed to assess the quality of groundwater on a job site. An Aztech geologist will log the geotechnical data associated with the site soil and identify the position of the water table during advancement of the borehole. Based on the observations made during drilling, the geologist will develop specifications for and oversee the construction of the monitoring well. Typically, soil borings are converted into monitoring wells that are constructed in a manner that is consistent with industry standards.

Aztech geologists are talented, thorough and well versed in conducting soil investigations that range from advancing soil borings in shallow and/or deep overburden to bedrock coring. The scope of the subsurface soil investigation is developed based on the findings of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment or from other existing information relative to the site to be investigated. The goal is to determine if any environmental impacts to the subsurface soils exist at the site.

Wetlands are the link between the land and the water. They are transition zones where the flow of water, the cycling of nutrients, and the energy of the sun meet to produce a unique ecosystem characterized by hydrology, soils, and vegetation. By definition, wetlands are those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions (United States Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Register 1982; United Stated Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Register 1980).

The Aztech team takes a focused approach to assist our clients with Site Assessments and due diligence for property acquisitions, refinancing, or divestments. We focus on the end result given our experience with not only Site Assessments, but our vast knowledge of managing potentially impacted media.  Our client’s goals and objectives as well as their risk tolerance are at the forefront of our approach in developing an investigation program that balances cost with potential risk.

We have extensive experience assisting clients in maintaining regulatory compliance in a wide variety of retail, commercial and industrial sectors. Our geologists, scientists and engineers are experienced and capable of handling all petroleum tank needs, from compliance and audit issues to the removal and subsequent sampling and remediation. We provide solutions that meet the particular needs of a client, from permit preparation support and auditing to full portfolio management for a facility’s compliance requirements.

While soil vapor intrusion evaluations are often performed as part of the site assessment process, the recent emphasis placed on potential vapor intrusion by the regulatory community has resulted in sites that previously required no further action to be “re-opened” for the sole purpose of evaluating the potential for vapor intrusion. This is especially true at sites where residual contamination was left in-place. Additionally, vapor intrusion evaluations are now routinely included with site assessment/remedial investigation programs for new sites when applicable. This can result in the identification of previously unknown or unexpected health concerns for property owners, residents, and tenants, as well as liability risks and potential financial implications for our clients. Fortunately, Aztech has been a leader in evaluating and mitigating real or perceived soil vapor concerns for our clients at hundreds of commercial, industrial and residential locations.