Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Protect your commercial property investment with thorough environmental due diligence, clear recommendations and lender-ready reporting.
Nexus Environmental Services Ltd. provides Phase I Environmental Site Assessments—also commonly called Phase 1 ESAs—for commercial, industrial, agricultural and multi-residential properties throughout Alberta.
Whether you are purchasing a property, securing financing, refinancing an existing development or planning a redevelopment, we provide the information you need to move forward with confidence.
✓ Reports accepted by major Canadian banks and financial institutions
✓ Assessments completed in accordance with applicable Alberta and CSA standards
✓ Phase I ESA services available throughout Alberta
Environmental Due Diligence for Confident Property Decisions
Buying a Property
Identify potential environmental liabilities before completing your commercial real estate purchase.
Securing Financing
Obtain the environmental due diligence commonly requested by banks and other commercial lenders.
Planning Development
Understand potential environmental concerns before beginning redevelopment, construction or a change in land use.
What Is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is a non-intrusive investigation of a property’s current and historical use. Its purpose is to determine whether activities on the property—or on surrounding properties—may have caused soil, groundwater or vapour contamination.
A Phase I ESA does not normally include drilling, soil sampling or groundwater testing. Instead, it combines detailed historical research, environmental records, interviews and an on-site inspection to identify evidence of actual or potential environmental concerns.
Phase I ESAs completed by Nexus are prepared in general accordance with the applicable requirements of the CSA Z768-01 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment standard and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas’ Environmental Site Assessment Standard.
A Phase I ESA Typically Includes:
✓ Historical property research
✓ Government and municipal records
✓ A comprehensive site inspection
✓ Interviews with knowledgeable individuals
✓ A review of adjacent properties
✓ Clear conclusions and recommendations
Important: A Phase I ESA is non-intrusive and does not normally include drilling, soil sampling or groundwater testing.
What Does a Phase I ESA Include?
Historical Research
We investigate the property’s current and historical uses using available aerial photographs, maps, municipal directories, development records and other historical sources.
Environmental Records
Federal, provincial and municipal records are reviewed for available information concerning spills, environmental incidents, contaminated sites, storage tanks and regulatory activities.
Site Inspection
The property and accessible buildings are inspected for evidence of current or historical activities that could present an environmental concern.
Interviews
Owners, occupants, property representatives and other knowledgeable individuals may be interviewed to obtain information that is not available through written records.
Adjacent Property Review
Current and historical activities on neighbouring properties are evaluated to determine whether they could present an environmental risk to the subject property.
Reporting and Recommendations
The completed report clearly explains our findings, identifies potential environmental concerns and provides practical recommendations regarding whether additional investigation is warranted.
When Do You Need a Phase I ESA?
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is commonly requested when:
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Purchasing or selling commercial or industrial property
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Applying for commercial mortgage financing
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Refinancing an existing property
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Completing environmental due diligence
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Developing or redeveloping land
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Changing a property’s use
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Transferring property through a corporate or estate transaction
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Evaluating a property with historical commercial or industrial activity
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Establishing baseline environmental conditions before leasing or occupying a property
Banks and other financial institutions frequently require a current Phase I ESA before approving financing for commercial real estate. Completing the assessment early can help prevent environmental questions from delaying a purchase, sale or financing deadline.
Working Toward a Purchase or Financing Deadline?
Send us the property address and your required completion date. We will provide a clear proposal outlining the scope, cost and scheduling availability for your Phase I Environmental Site Assessment.
Environmental Risks a Phase I ESA Can Identify
Potential environmental concerns are not always visible during a normal building or property inspection. Historical activities may have affected a property decades before the current owner or occupant arrived.
A Phase I ESA may identify concerns associated with:
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Underground and aboveground fuel storage tanks
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Former gas stations, automotive shops and bulk fuel facilities
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Dry-cleaning operations and solvent use
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Industrial manufacturing and equipment repair
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Chemical, pesticide and fertilizer storage
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Waste oil and hazardous-material storage
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Spills, releases and stained soil
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Floor drains, sumps and wastewater-disposal systems
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Imported fill or historical waste disposal
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Railway lines and transportation facilities
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Contamination originating from neighbouring properties
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Potential asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint, PCBs and other hazardous building materials
Identifying these issues before completing a transaction can help protect buyers, property owners and lenders from unexpected investigation, remediation and regulatory costs.
Does a Phase I ESA Always Lead to a Phase II ESA?
No. Many Phase I Environmental Site Assessments conclude that no further environmental investigation is warranted.
A Phase II ESA is recommended only when the Phase I identifies an actual or potential environmental concern, or a significant information gap that requires physical investigation.
Phase II work may include borehole drilling, monitoring-well installation and laboratory analysis of soil, groundwater or soil vapour.
Nexus provides clear, evidence-based recommendations so clients understand why additional investigation is—or is not—considered necessary.
Why Choose Nexus Environmental?
Nexus Environmental Services Ltd. is an Alberta-based environmental consulting company specializing in environmental due diligence for commercial and industrial properties.
Experienced Environmental Consulting
Our assessments are completed by experienced environmental professionals with extensive knowledge of commercial and industrial properties.
Lender-Ready Reporting
Our reports have been accepted by major Canadian banks and financial institutions and are prepared to address the needs of commercial lenders.
Clear Communication
You communicate directly with the environmental professional completing your assessment. Our findings are explained clearly, without unnecessary technical language.
Practical Recommendations
Recommendations are based on the property’s actual environmental risk. Additional investigation is not recommended unless the available evidence supports it.
Responsive Scheduling
We understand that real estate purchases and financing approvals operate under firm deadlines. We work with buyers, lenders, lawyers and real estate professionals to keep transactions moving.
Complete Environmental Support
If additional assessment is required, Nexus also provides Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, groundwater monitoring, soil and groundwater remediation, vapour intrusion assessments and other environmental consulting services.
Phase I ESA Services Across Alberta
Nexus Environmental Services Ltd. provides Phase I Environmental Site Assessments throughout Alberta.
Based in Lethbridge, we serve clients in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Brooks, Taber, Fort Macleod, Claresholm, Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and communities across the province.
We complete environmental assessments for commercial property buyers, sellers, owners, investors, developers, lenders, lawyers and real estate professionals throughout urban and rural Alberta.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does My Lender Require a Phase I ESA?
A commercial lender may request a Phase I ESA to determine whether environmental contamination or other environmental liabilities could affect the property’s condition, value or suitability as security for financing.
How Long Does a Phase I ESA Take?
Completion time depends on the property’s size, location, complexity, historical use and the availability of municipal and regulatory records. If you are working toward a financing or closing deadline, provide the required date when requesting your quote so scheduling can be confirmed.
Does a Phase I ESA Include Soil or Groundwater Testing?
No. A Phase I ESA is normally a non-intrusive assessment and does not include drilling or laboratory testing. If potential contamination is identified, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment may be recommended.
Does Every Phase I ESA Lead to a Phase II ESA?
No. A Phase II ESA is recommended only when the findings indicate that physical testing is warranted. Many properties do not require further environmental investigation following the Phase I ESA.
How Much Does a Phase I ESA Cost?
The cost depends on the property’s location, size, complexity, historical activities and required completion schedule. Contact Nexus with the property address to receive a project-specific quote.
Do You Complete Phase I ESAs Outside southern Alberta?
Yes. Nexus provides Phase I Environmental Site Assessments throughout Alberta, including Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat and rural communities across the province.
What Information Is Needed for a Quote?
To request a quote, provide the property address, the reason for the assessment, your required completion date and the name of the lender or intended report user, if applicable.
Protect Your Property Investment
Whether you are purchasing, selling, refinancing or developing commercial property, Nexus Environmental Services Ltd. can provide the environmental due diligence needed to make an informed decision.
Send us the property address and your required completion date to receive a straightforward Phase I ESA proposal.
Email: info@nexusenvironmental.ca