Soil and Ground Water Quality Investigations
Performing environmental Phase II sampling investigations – as well as other soil investigations, hydrogeologic investigations and ground water monitoring programs – has been a specialty of The Payne Firm since its founding in 1987. We conduct these investigations throughout the United States and Canada.
 
To conduct Phase II and other investigations, The Payne Firm is able to enlist a variety of collection techniques. This, in turn, enables us to recommend the most technically feasible and cost effective investigative tools for a specific site. We are experienced in virtually all soil sample collection techniques – including hand auger, direct push, auger drilling, rotosonic, air rotary and cable tool – as well as non-intrusive geophysical technologies (ground penetrating radar, electromagnetics, metal detection and magnetometry).
 

Confidential Client - Printing Facility, Cincinnati, Ohio
The Payne Firm completed a Phase II investigation of the soil and ground water conditions at a drummed chemicals and hazardous waste storage pad for a printing company prior to cessation of operations at the facility. The investigation proceeded in a phased approach to minimize analytical laboratory costs. The potential impact to soil was explored first by a soil vapor survey. Based on these results shallow hand auger samples were taken for field screening and potential laboratory analysis. In the final stage of the soil investigation a direct push sampler was used to obtain soil samples at depth. Based on the presence of contaminants in the deep soil, monitoring wells were installed upgradient and down gradient of the identified source area. Costs were minimized by the phased approach by reducing the sampling locations, while maintaining conformance with RCRA investigation guidance.

 
Paul Brown Stadium - Construction Project, Cincinnati, Ohio
The Payne Firm has provided numerous environmental services to Hamilton County regarding the redevelopment of the downtown area into the Paul Brown Stadium. One of the services included the planning and implementation of a Phase II soil sampling investigation. This investigation included the installation of numerous soil borings and associated soil sampling to determine the presence or absence of soil contamination. If contamination was discovered, the full vertical and horizontal extent of contamination in the subsurface was defined in order to make financial decisions for future planning and remedial options. All activities and results were summarized into one comprehensive Phase II Report.

 
Fibre-glass Manufacturing Facilities - Iowa, Georgia, Pennsylvania
Manufacturing facilities in Iowa, Georgia, and Pennsylvania were investigated to determine whether significant environmental issues may be present in anticipation of potential sale of the properties. Initial Phase I Environmental Site Assessments performed at each facility recommended Phase II investigations were subsequently implemented in accordance with applicable regulatory frameworks and standards. Soil borings and monitoring wells were completed at the facilities to analyze samples for evaluating the existing subsurface conditions. Significant soil and ground water issues were not identified at the Iowa or Georgia locations. Additional investigation of soil and ground water was conducted at the Pennsylvania facility to quantify potential environmental exposures at the Pennsylvania facility. The investigation work products were used by the client to provide the necessary information to successfully negotiate the transfer of ownership to the buyer without additional third party investigation.

 
Confidential Client - Multimedia Investigation - Maryland
A comprehensive Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and sampling of soil, air, drinking water, asbestos, and lead paint was implemented at a commercial property in the Washington, D.C. area to characterize risk associated with the potential purchase of the property. The Payne Firm implemented procedures to meet the stringent requirements of the client and produced the necessary work product for the client's business purposes. Project issues included subcontractor coordination and logistical details to efficiently and cost-effectively meet the client's timeframe.