Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)

An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is an investigative process used to identify potential or existing environmental contamination and liabilities associated with a property. ESAs are typically conducted for two key purposes:

1. Due diligence — Phase I and II ESAs completed in accordance with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Phase I and Phase II ESA Standards (CSA Z768-01 and Z769-00, respectively), often in the context of real estate transaction, financing, or insurance.
2. Regulatory compliance — Phase One and Two ESAs completed under Ontario Regulation 153/04 (as amended), in support of filing a Record of Site Condition (RSC) with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), often required for property redevelopment or land use changes.

Learn more about regulatory requirements, and the RSC process on our Record of Site Condition page.

A Phase I/One ESA is a non-intrusive investigation used to identify actual or potential environmental concerns on a property. It typically includes:

• Review of historical records such as aerial photographs, city directories, fire insurance maps, and environmental databases to assess past land use and potential contamination sources.

• Site inspections to observe current conditions and identify visible signs of potential environmental concerns.

• Interviews and correspondence with knowledgeable parties, including property owners, occupants, and local government or regulatory agencies, to gather additional context on site history and land use.

The Phase One ESA (completed for regulatory compliance) historical research and reporting requirements are much more detail and stipulative and thus tends to be more expensive than the Phase I ESA.

A Phase II/Two ESA is an intrusive investigation undertaken to confirm or refute potential environmental concerns identified during the Phase I/One ESA. It typically includes:

• Subsurface investigations: Including borehole drilling, monitoring well installation, and vapour sampling, to comprehensively characterize the site’s environmental condition.

• Soil sampling and analysis: To identify and quantify potential contaminants in the soil.

• Groundwater sampling and analysis: To assess groundwater quality and determine if contamination is present.

The Phase Two ESA (completed for regulatory compliance) site characterization and reporting (completed for regulatory compliance) requirements are much more detail and stipulative and thus tends to be more expensive than the Phase II ESA.

You may need a Phase I or II ESA if you’re considering purchasing, selling, financing a property, or when there are concerns about potential environmental risks, whereas Phase One or Two ESA is typically needed in case of redevelopment and/or change in land use of a property. These assessments help identify contamination or other environmental issues that could affect property value or liability. Note Phase One and Two ESAs is acceptable for due diligence purposes as well; however, same is no applicable for Phase I and II ESAs.

• Identify Actual and Potential Environmental Concerns
  An ESA can help identify actual and potential environmental concerns that could potentially affect your property value, use or liability.

• Ensure Compliance
  Conducting an ESA ensures compliance with regulatory requirements for redevelopment and change in land use of a property.

• Provide Valuable Information
  Conducting a ESA supports informed decision-making and demonstrates due diligence to lenders, insurers, and other stakeholders.

At ECOH, our experienced team conducts thorough Phase I/One and II/Two ESAs across Canada, providing comprehensive reports that meet your needs. Our experts will guide you through the entire process, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and delivering accurate results. With ECOH, you can trust that your ESA is performed by professionals who understand the importance of this critical service.