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Environmental Consulting Firm in Charleston, SC

South Carolina Expertise Backed by Nearly 30 Years of Field Experience

NOVA provides environmental consulting services to commercial property owners and developers throughout the Charleston market.

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Understanding the Importance of Environmental Consulting

With over 24,000 pages of federal environmental regulations and additional South Carolina state requirements that may be even more stringent, having professional guidance is essential for businesses, industries, and government agencies navigating environmental challenges. NOVA's environmental consulting services in Charleston help clients ensure full compliance with these complex requirements.

In Charleston, understanding environmental conditions is particularly important given the region's unique coastal setting and rich industrial heritage. Whether you're acquiring commercial property in the historic district, redeveloping industrial waterfront sites, or ensuring facility compliance, understanding potential environmental liabilities protects your investment and supports informed decision-making.

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Why Industry Leaders Choose NOVA

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Transactional Expertise

Our environmental professionals conduct thorough Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments that meet ASTM standards and satisfy lender requirements. We identify recognized environmental conditions, evaluate potential liabilities, and provide clear recommendations to support property transactions throughout.
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Remediation Services

When contamination is identified, we don't just assess, we solve. Our team develops remedial action plans, designs cleanup systems, and manages site remediation to achieve regulatory closure. We work with Georgia EPD and federal agencies to navigate the path from contamination to compliance efficiently and cost-effectively.
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Compliance Support

Our involvement extends across the full spectrum of environmental compliance. We provide hazardous waste management, air and water permitting, underground storage tank services, and ongoing monitoring to ensure your operations meet all applicable federal and state requirements.

The Principles of Environmental Consulting

Our approach at NOVA is grounded in the core principles of environmental due diligence and risk assessment. We apply systematic investigation methods, field sampling, and regulatory analysis to identify environmental conditions that may impact property use, redevelopment, or compliance. This involves:

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1. Phase I Site Assessment

Non-intrusive investigation that reviews historical records, regulatory databases, and site conditions to identify recognized environmental conditions. This assessment establishes whether potential contamination concerns warrant further investigation and satisfies CERCLA innocent landowner defense requirements.
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2. Phase II Site Assessment

Intrusive investigation involving soil, groundwater, and soil gas sampling to evaluate recognized environmental conditions identified during Phase I. Laboratory analysis determines the presence, nature, and extent of contamination to inform transaction decisions and remediation planning.
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3. Remediation/Corrective Action

Developing and implementing cleanup strategies to address confirmed contamination. We prepare remedial action plans, design treatment systems, and manage remediation activities to achieve SCDHEC closure and restore properties to productive use.
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4. Hazardous Assessment

Evaluating buildings for asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint, mold, radon, and other hazardous substances. Our industrial hygienists conduct surveys, prepare management plans, and design abatement specifications to protect occupant health and ensure regulatory compliance.
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5. Compliance

Supporting ongoing facility operations through environmental compliance auditing, permit preparation, and regulatory agency coordination. We help clients maintain compliance with RCRA, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and state environmental requirements.

Environmental Compliance

Our environmental team has extensive knowledge of federal and state regulations, as well as technical skills and analytical abilities to develop solutions for complex environmental challenges. Key areas to focus include:

  • Industrial hazardous waste
  • Solid waste management
  • Facility environmental compliance
  • Transactional due diligence
  • Industrial hygiene
  • Asbestos & Lead-Based Paint (ACM & LBP)
  • Underground Storage Tanks (UST)
  • Soil, Groundwater, and Soil Gas

Environmental Site Assessments

In most cases, environmental contamination and its liabilities are the sole responsibility of the property owner. Because of this significant risk, an environmental site assessment is an essential service provided by NOVA's environmental professionals.

The environmental transactional due diligence involves three different phases of an environmental site assessment intended to identify any recognized environmental conditions, determine the extent of the environmental risks, and develop a plan to bring the property into compliance.

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Built on Trust, Expertise & Proven Results

NOVA Engineering strives to exceed expectations. Let us become your trusted partner for all your environmental consulting needs.

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Environmental Consulting Challenges and Solutions in Charleston

Charleston's coastal location, historic building inventory, and industrial waterfront heritage create specific environmental consulting challenges.

  • Conducting environmental due diligence for commercial and industrial property transactions, identifying recognized environmental conditions from former maritime operations, manufacturing facilities, and petroleum storage that could affect property value or create post-acquisition liabilities in Charleston's active real estate market.
  • Assessing hazardous building materials in Charleston's extensive inventory of historic structures, including asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint, and mold in pre-1980 buildings undergoing renovation, adaptive reuse, or demolition, ensuring worker safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Supporting waterfront and brownfield redevelopment by navigating environmental requirements for former industrial sites along the Cooper River and throughout the Navy Yard, achieving regulatory closure that transforms contaminated properties into productive commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments.

NOVA's Environmental Service Projects

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Powdercoat Facility Phase II Environmental Assessment

Client: Confidential Client NOVA Engineering and Environmental, LLC was selected to perform a Phase II…

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Howard F. Curren Advanced Waste Water Treatment Plant

Client: City of Tampa Modifications were made to the main entry and driveway for the…

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Beacon Lakes Landfill Assessment and Reclamation

Project: Beacon Lakes Landfill Assessment and Reclamation, Doral, FL Client: Prologis A NOVA client recently…

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Ready to Address Your Environmental Challenges?

Whether you're conducting due diligence for a property acquisition, addressing contamination concerns, or maintaining facility compliance, our environmental consulting team has the expertise to guide you through complex regulatory requirements and deliver practical solutions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment required?
Phase I ESAs are typically required by lenders for commercial real estate transactions to satisfy CERCLA innocent landowner defense requirements. They're also recommended when acquiring industrial properties, properties with a history of commercial use, or sites where environmental contamination may be a concern. The assessment identifies recognized environmental conditions that could represent potential liabilities.
What happens if contamination is found during a Phase II assessment?
If the Phase II investigation confirms contamination, our team evaluates the nature and extent of the problem and develops remediation options. We work with you to understand the implications for your transaction or project, coordinate with Georgia EPD as needed, and develop cost-effective strategies to address the contamination, whether through active remediation, monitored natural attenuation, or risk-based closure approaches.
Does NOVA provide asbestos and lead paint testing?
Yes, our industrial hygiene team conducts comprehensive hazardous building material surveys including asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint, mold, and radon. We provide testing, prepare management plans, design abatement specifications, and perform oversight and clearance sampling to ensure safe removal when renovation or demolition is planned.