Mold is everywhere (ubiquitous) and in most cases is harmless. But, many molds produce spores that trigger allergic responses, and recent studies have confirmed that some species of molds produce mycotoxins, which can cause numerous other health problems - some serious. Mold contamination in homes and buildings is becoming a growing concern of homeowners and tenants, commercial property owners and managers, workers and employers, and even insurance companies and attorneys.

In order for mold to grow and thrive it needs oxygen, a food source, and moisture. Moisture is often the easiest of the three culprits to eliminate, but its source is not always obvious. It can require field personnel experienced in building construction to locate the source of moisture and determine the extent of contamination so that it can be remediated.

Stewart Environmental provides technical assistance to identify the potential locations of mold through assessments and sampling that confirm the presence and type of mold. Until the source of moisture is removed and the contaminated area is remediated, mold growth will reoccur. Our environmental engineers, microbiologists, and field and lab technicians are experienced in resolving mold issues, and they can investigate, sample, and analyze for mold contamination. Stewart Environmental also provides remediation oversight of the professional contractor and performs clearance sampling and final documentation that the remediation was completed.

Stewart Environmental understands the nature of, and often complex maze involved with, securing environmental permits. We can assist with preliminary preparation and application submission, and then follow up with expert communication with the appropriate governing authority to ensure you are channeled through the regulatory process efficiently. We work directly with regulatory officers and staff from state environmental regulatory agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Common permits include:

• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
• Industrial Pre-Treatment
• Air Pollution
• Title V
• Hazardous Waste Generator
• Stormwater

Reporting the activity and subsequent data may be required for your operation on a given basis to satisfy federal or state environment regulations. Stewart Environmental coordinates reporting activity for clients through expertly organized reports. We then serve as the liaison between client and governing body if conflicts or challenges should occur. Typical reporting requirements often include:

• Form R
• Tier II
• Discharge Monitoring Reports
• Baseline Monitoring Reports

Environmental site assessments provide peace of mind to clients when selling or buying property. Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) identify environmental concerns in connection with a property and assist a buyer to qualify for the Innocent Landowner Defense to Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA. A Phase I ESA protects against liability for environmental damages that occurred prior to acquisition of a property. Stewart Environmental has performed hundreds of Phase I ESAs following ASTM Standard Practice E 1527 guidelines.

Phase II investigations are performed to evaluate the nature and extent of suspected or known contamination at a site. Common elements of these investigations include waste, soil, and groundwater sampling followed by laboratory analyses and data evaluation. Investigations often include geophysical, hydrological, and hydrogeological scopes of work.

Site assessments can be customized to include specific tasks selected to accomplish a desired goal. We specialize in:

• Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
• Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
• Subsurface Investigations
• Class III Environmental Assessments
• Environmental Exit Audits

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Environmental audits are initiated to evaluate compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Often, as companies grow and expand operations, compliance issues are overlooked. Our trained and knowledgeable staff can determine areas of your specific operations where governmental compliance is required. It is crucial that top management commitment is in place before the audit is initiated.

Audits often entail a pre-audit questionnaire, facility records and documentation review, management and operations staff interviews, and a physical inspection of the facility. Upon completion of the audit, a formal report indicating areas that fall short of compliance is delivered to the client. Often during the audit process, we discover areas where changes in operations or procedures can exempt the client from required governmental compliance. We provide alternatives and recommendations that, if implemented, will provide considerable cost-savings with a short return on the investment. Common areas of compliance are:

• Pre-Treatment & Discharge
• Air Emissions
• Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage & Disposal
• PCB Handling & Disposal
• Pesticide Use
• Chemical Storage & Handling
• Asbestos Classification & Management
• Solid Waste Disposal
• Record keeping
• Emergency Response Plans
• Safety & Training Policies

Desirable methods for recovering environmentally impaired land are offered through state and federal programs. The Brownfields Program, or the Superfund Redevelopment Program, provides tax incentives and protection from further environmental regulations for remediation of contaminated property. The Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Act of 1994 provides guidelines for voluntarily remediating closed landfill and EPA-designated Brownfields so they can become useful properties again. The VCUP and Superfund Redevelopment programs encourage property redevelopment and reuse without fear of regulatory reprisals for past contamination.

Stewart Environmental is an industry leader in securing environmental indemnification. We have helped clients with the VCUP application and qualification; site assessments including soil and groundwater sampling, monitoring, and analyses; and development of land reuse plans. One of our projects is featured on the EPA website for Superfund Redevelopment projects -- the Mill Site 27 project in Black Hawk, Colorado, which was the first privately funded Superfund Redevelopment project in Region 8. Property uses range from golf courses to commercial or industrial facilities and housing projects.

Landfill remediation often includes groundwater monitoring; methane gas well installation, monitoring, and reuse evaluation as an energy source; community relations; post-closure plans and designs; and safety programs. Our staff is experienced in community relations associated with landfill issues. We can communicate technical information and deliver easy-to-understand presentations that convey information in lay-person's terms. We are sensitive to political pressures and can adapt a community relations plan for a specific site to meet the local political climate.

Water & Wastewater Systems

Stewart Environmental has been recognized nationally for innovative designs in water and wastewater treatment.One of our areas of expertise lies in our ability to evaluate and treat toxic wastewater, or wastewater that is problematic when it comes to disposal.

Many of our industrial and commercial clients have chosen us to serve their wastewater needs because we showed them how to design a system that not only met the requirements of the discharge permit, but also provided them with a significant return on their investment.

In order to reach a thorough understanding of how to solve the problem, we begin the process of water or wastewater treatment plant design by evaluating a client’s specific situation and overall process. In some cases, changing a process upstream of treatment will significantly reduce the overall cost of the treatment. We have successfully used innovative solutions -- especially in the hazardous waste area. Stewart Environmental was able to reduce the cost of treatment for one client by over 80 percent. This reduction resulted in a payback of less than six months on capital investment, followed by an increase to the bottom line through a reduction of operating expenses.

Stewart Environmental offers the full range of services from preparing a wastewater discharge permit application and submitting it to the regulatory agency to designing and building the actual wastewater treatment system. We can provide the necessary monthly monitoring and operational assistance for hard-to-solve problems. Our environmental laboratory supports our monitoring program by providing the necessary testing and data evaluation of samples, and if problems arise, our engineers are on hand to provide technical assistance and supervision to resolve any problems associated with violations.

Training

Stewart Environmental offers training in all areas of environmental policy and governmental regulations. Our courses are taught by qualified professionals from Stewart Environmental’s staff who are sometimes accompanied by special guest speakers from pertinent industries. Training focuses on the implementation and application of procedures and policies that will optimize health and safety for employees and outside contractors. Training courses include:

OSHA

• Worker Right-to-Know (Hazard Communication)
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Respirator Protection
• Hazardous Materials Emergency Response
• Confined Space Entry
• Lockout/Tagout
• Asbestos Exposure
• Lead Exposure
• Hazardous Materials Operator (HAZWOPER)

EPA