Real Estate Developer
Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessment

Client: Real-estate developer, Romania

Location: Brasov, Romania

AUDITECO was retained by a leading real estate developer operating in Central and Eastern Europe to perform a combined Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessment at a former industrial site located in Brasov, Romania. The purpose of the assessment was to identify potential documented environmental issues and liabilities associated with past and current activities at the site, and to assess, on a preliminary basis, environmental ground conditions with respect to on-site and off-site historical activities which might have impacted soil and groundwater quality.

An initial site visit was conducted to visually assess site conditions and current surroundings; further dataroom activities comprised a review of historical site layouts, permits and other relevant documents

Particular challenges arising from physical site conditions were related to remaining underground structures (e.g. USTs, basements, foundations) and utilities networks (e.g. live electric cables, water pipes and sewage) of former on-site facilities, partially demolished. A subsequent multi-method geophysical survey was performed at the site in order to detect the presence of underground obstructions and to mitigate risks related to proposed intrusive investigations.

The location of intrusive investigation points was proposed based on the conclusions of the geophysical survey. Ten (10) boreholes were drilled to maximum depths of 12 m below ground level by dry percussion drilling. Environmental sampling included the collection of soil samples at selected depths, and collection of groundwater samples from temporarily installed standpipes. Subsequently, the chemical analyses plan was based on potential contaminants associated with former onsite activities (e.g. aliphatic hydrocarbons).

Project reporting incorporated detailed conclusions of the site assessment and recommendations for the benefit of the Client, so as to:

• foresee any environmental risks associated with current physical site conditions;
• give an indication of environmental regulatory requirements for a future site development
• provide support in the decision-making process for a potential transaction;