Cox-Colvin & Associates, Inc services

Site investigation, or assessment, is common to all cleanup programs and is essential in determining the need for and best approach to cleanup. If not well designed and executed, investigations can lead to unending sampling events, unnecessary remediation, selection of inappropriate or poorly performing remedies, or the presence of unidentified sources of contamination or exposure pathways which must be addressed after the rest of the site is considered clean.

Contaminated sites and historic environmental management practices can pose significant risk to human health and the environment, and carry significant clean up liabilities for industry and government. Many older industrial sites have had a history of varied uses resulting in multiple sources and types of contamination in soil, sediment, groundwater, and surface water. Site remediation typically involves remedy selection, design, implementation, and operation and maintenance.

Environmental risk assessment is the process of determining whether an environmental hazard has the potential to cause harm to exposed people or ecosystems. An environmental hazard may be either a chemical or biological agent that has been released to the environment or is uncontrolled. Some hazards are released intentionally (pesticide applications), some are accidental (spills or failures of containment units), and some are natural (toxic molds).

Cox-Colvin & Associates conducts groundwater monitoring under a variety of regulatory programs, in numerous hydrogeologic settings using a vast array of monitoring tools and techniques. Our success begins with well thought out and designed monitoring programs and plans that meet both client and regulatory program needs.

The long-term efficiency and performance of a groundwater production well is directly related to the quality of its design and installation. Water supply well evaluations are multifaceted and typically include logistic (siting requirements), economic (cost benefit analysis) and technical (groundwater availability) issues.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in soil and groundwater at virtually every industrial and commercial facility that ever stored, used, or disposed of fuels or solvents. The potential for VOCs to migrate upward into a building is known as “vapor intrusion” and is now among the highest priorities of EPA and state agencies.

Forward thinking organizations are discovering that successful business practices are increasingly linked to maintaining a framework of sound environmental compliance. Cox-Colvin works closely with our clients to understand their priorities, facility needs and schedule issues to develop the most effective and workable approach to permitting and compliance. We routinely assess the current compliance status of our clients’ manufacturing and production facilities and then assist with the identification of environmental regulatory requirements specific to their processes and facilities. Our working knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, and our ability to work in partnership with the regulatory agencies involved, are essential components to the environmental compliance and permitting services we provide to our clients.

Environmental site assessments and environmental audits have become a standard feature of property transactions and Brownfield redevelopment programs. At Cox-Colvin, the majority of our due diligence work is performed for industrial clients with multiple facilities situated across the country, utilizing our broad understanding of federal, and state regulatory requirements. Performed by teams of qualified geologists, engineers and regulatory specialists, we identify the potential environmental liabilities related to the transaction by identifying the presence, or likely presence of past, present, or potential recognized environmental conditions on a subject property. Throughout this process, we work closely with our clients to understand their specific needs, explain risk from both a regulatory and business standpoint, and provide the information needed to make informed financial decisions.

Cox-Colvin & Associates serves the Appalachian Basin oil and gas sector in a variety of ways. Unlike most consultants, however, our focus and expertise is on evaluating groundwater resources and the pathways by which groundwater can be contaminated. We are experienced with large, complicated groundwater contaminant investigations at oil refineries, waste management facilities, municipal and industrial landfills, and other types of industrial facilities. These investigations require a detailed understanding of background conditions allowing us to differentiate between naturally occurring constituents in groundwater, or other sources of contamination, from potential impacts from our clients facilities.

When developed properly, groundwater provides a safe and reliable water source for potable and industrial purposes. Groundwater sources are generally more drought resistant, higher quality, and less expensive to develop and treat than surface water, making it the preferred alternative.