⚠️ What Does It Mean When a Phase I ESA Identifies Concerns?

A Phase I ESA reviews historical records, aerial photos, interviews, and on-site conditions to identify Areas of Potential Environmental Concern (APECs). These are parts of a property where there’s reason to believe that contamination may be present due to past or current

activities 🏭🧪.

If one or more APECs are identified, the property is not “cleared” under the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Z768-01) framework. This doesn’t mean the site is contaminated — only that further investigation is recommended 🔍.

🧪 The Next Step: Phase II Environmental Site Assessment

When APECs are identified, the next logical step is a Phase II ESA, which involves actual soil, groundwater, or vapour sampling to determine if contamination is present and whether it exceeds Alberta Tier 1 or Tier 2 guidelines 🌍💧.

A Phase II ESA will:

• ✅ Confirm whether contaminants such as BTEX, PHCs, PAHs, metals, or chlorinated solvents are present

• 📏 Define the extent and severity of contamination (if any)

• 📑 Provide the data you, your lender, or regulators need to make an informed decision

At Nexus, we tailor every Phase II ESA to the specific concerns raised in the Phase I — no over-scoping, no unnecessary costs 💼.

🛠️ What Happens If Contamination Is Found?

If contamination is confirmed in the Phase II ESA, your property may be designated an Area of Environmental Concern (AEC), and additional work may be required:

• 🕳️ Delineation drilling to understand the full extent

• 🧪 Remedial options planning (e.g., excavation, in-situ treatment)

• 📝 Phase III ESA or remediation design

• 🏛️ Regulatory reporting if required under Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA)

We work closely with clients to make sure remediation is practical, cost-effective, and properly documented — especially if you're working under financing or development deadlines ⏳💰.

🤝 How Nexus Environmental Helps You Navigate the Process

We know that environmental due diligence can feel overwhelming — especially when you're trying to close a deal, secure financing, or move ahead with construction 🏗️.

At Nexus Environmental, we:

• 📞 Explain everything clearly, so you understand what's required and why

• 🚚 Act quickly, with flexible scheduling and clear timelines

• 💲 Keep costs in check, tailoring the scope of work to your specific site

• 🧾 Communicate directly with lenders or regulators when needed

We make sure the process is efficient, defensible, and gets your project moving again. 👷‍♂️📈

📞 Have a Phase I ESA With Concerns? We Can Help.

If your Phase I ESA raised concerns — whether we conducted it or not — we can help you understand your options and design a Phase II ESA that gets answers without overkill 🔍📊.

Serving all of Alberta, including Lethbridge, Calgary, Medicine Hat, and surrounding areas.

➡️ Call Nexus Environmental today at 403-394-4001 or visit nexusenvironmental.ca to request a quote or talk to an environmental professional.