Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment in Georgia
Compare quotes from environmental professionals who write ASTM E1527-21 Phase 1 ESA reports in Georgia. Most reports are delivered in two to three weeks, and rush options are available.
Start Your Free Quote
Enter the property address and we will match you with consultants who cover Georgia.
What Is a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment?
A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, written as Phase I ESA in most reports, is a records review and site inspection that looks for signs a property has been contaminated by hazardous substances or petroleum. The consultant follows ASTM Standard E1527-21. Nobody drills or samples anything during a Phase 1.
The work covers historical aerial photos, fire insurance maps, city directories, regulatory database searches, a walk of the property, and interviews with the owner, the occupants, and anyone else who knows the site's history. The report ends with a finding of whether any Recognized Environmental Conditions exist.
Lenders ask for a Phase 1 before they fund a commercial purchase or refinance. SBA 7(a) and 504 loans require environmental due diligence on most real estate collateral. Buyers order one on their own because a Phase 1 completed before closing is what qualifies them for the innocent landowner and bona fide prospective purchaser defenses under CERCLA.
What a Phase 1 ESA Reviews in Georgia
The state records for a Georgia Phase 1 come from Georgia Environmental Protection Division, searched alongside the federal databases every Phase 1 covers.
The Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources holds Georgia's cleanup, tank, and waste records. The state's Hazardous Site Response Act requires owners to report releases above a reportable quantity, and sites that qualify go on the Hazardous Site Inventory. That inventory is the first list a consultant checks, followed by the underground storage tank files and the brownfield program records.
The Georgia lists a consultant checks for a property in Georgia:
- Hazardous Site Inventory. Sites listed under the Hazardous Site Response Act, with a class designation that indicates whether cleanup is required.
- Underground Storage Tank Management Program records. Registered tanks, release reports, and corrective action status.
- Brownfield Program records. Properties with an approved Prospective Purchaser Corrective Action Plan and a Limitation of Liability.
- Voluntary Remediation Program list. Sites enrolled under the 2009 Voluntary Remediation Program Act.
- Solid waste and landfill lists. Permitted and closed landfills, plus unpermitted dump sites the division has documented.
Common Sources of Contamination on Georgia Properties
Textile mills ran in nearly every Georgia town with a river, and the carpet industry in Dalton and Whitfield County left solvent and PFAS contamination that is still being mapped. Atlanta grew as a rail hub, and the yards, freight depots, and warehouses along the rail lines are now some of the city's most active redevelopment sites. Agriculture across the southern half of the state means pesticide residue on former farmland and fuel tanks at former packing houses. Wood treating plants using creosote and chromated copper arsenate operated near the pine belt. Gas stations and dry cleaners fill in the rest of the list on a typical commercial corridor.
Who Orders a Phase 1 ESA in Georgia
- Buyers of commercial and industrial property doing due diligence before closing
- Borrowers on SBA 504 and SBA 7(a) loans secured by real estate
- Banks and credit unions underwriting commercial mortgages
- Developers acquiring land or buildings for redevelopment
- Attorneys handling purchase agreements and lease negotiations
- Owners refinancing a commercial building
- Investors buying retail, warehouse, office, or multifamily sites
Georgia Cleanup Programs and Buyer Liability Protection
Georgia's Brownfield Program gives a prospective purchaser a Limitation of Liability once EPD approves a corrective action plan and the buyer completes the work, and it caps the buyer's obligation at addressing the soil. Groundwater cleanup stays with the responsible party. The Voluntary Remediation Program offers a faster path for sites already on the Hazardous Site Inventory. A buyer who wants either protection needs the Phase 1 done before closing, since eligibility depends on not having caused or contributed to the release.
How Much Does a Phase 1 ESA Cost in Georgia?
Across the country a Phase 1 ESA runs from $1,500 to $6,000, and a plain commercial building on a single parcel lands near the low end of that range. Georgia is one of the more affordable markets for a Phase 1 ESA, with a large number of consultants based in metro Atlanta and pricing that runs below the national middle.
What moves the price on a given property:
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Acreage and number of parcels | More ground to walk and more addresses to research |
| Current use | Industrial, automotive, and dry cleaning sites take longer to document |
| Historical use | A former gas station or manufacturing plant means more agency files to pull |
| Turnaround | A rush report in five to ten business days adds a premium |
| Age of the property | Older sites have more historical sources to review |
| Lender scope | Some banks and the SBA add deliverables beyond the ASTM standard |
A quote tied to the actual address is the only way to know the number for your property. Read the Phase 1 ESA cost guide for a closer look at pricing.
Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment in Georgia
When a Phase 1 finds a Recognized Environmental Condition, the next step is a Phase 2 ESA. A Phase 2 puts soil borings, groundwater monitoring wells, or soil vapor probes in the ground and sends the samples to a lab. The scope depends on what the Phase 1 found, so a Phase 2 in Georgia can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars for a handful of borings to well above $30,000 for a site with a plume.
The consultants in our network handle both phases. Ask for a Phase 2 quote when you submit your details, or read the Phase 2 ESA guide and the Phase 2 cost guide first.
Phase 1 ESA Questions From Georgia Buyers
How long does a Phase 1 ESA take in Georgia?
A standard Phase 1 ESA typically takes 2-4 weeks from start to delivery of the final report. Rush turnaround options are available, often within 5-10 business days, for an additional fee.
Who needs a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment?
Buyers, lenders, developers, and investors involved in commercial real estate transactions. SBA 7(a) and 504 loans typically require environmental due diligence, including a Phase 1 ESA. Banks and lenders typically require one for commercial property financing. It's also recommended when purchasing former industrial or commercial properties.
Do SBA loans require a Phase 1 ESA in Georgia?
SBA 7(a) and 504 loans typically require environmental due diligence for commercial property purchases, which usually includes a Phase 1 ESA. The report must comply with ASTM E1527-21 and be completed by a qualified environmental professional. Requirements can vary based on the property type, historical use, and lender policy.
What ASTM standard governs Phase 1 ESAs?
ASTM E1527-21 is the current standard for Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments. It replaced E1527-13 and defines the scope, methodology, and reporting requirements. Compliance with this standard is necessary to qualify for the CERCLA innocent landowner defense.
Does a Phase 1 ESA include soil or groundwater testing?
No. A Phase 1 ESA is a non-invasive review of records, regulatory databases, historical sources, and a visual site inspection. It does not include physical sampling. If potential contamination is identified, a Phase 2 ESA with soil borings or groundwater monitoring may be recommended.
What happens if the report finds a Recognized Environmental Condition?
If the Phase 1 ESA identifies recognized environmental conditions (RECs), the next step is typically a Phase 2 ESA, which involves actual sampling and laboratory analysis of soil, groundwater, or air to confirm the presence and extent of contamination.
Can a Phase 1 ESA protect buyers from environmental liability?
Yes. A Phase 1 ESA conducted under ASTM E1527-21 helps establish the "innocent landowner" defense under CERCLA. This can protect buyers from liability for pre-existing contamination they were not aware of at the time of purchase.
What's the difference between Phase 1 and Phase 2 ESAs?
A Phase 1 ESA is a non-invasive investigation that reviews records and inspects the site visually. A Phase 2 ESA involves physical sampling (soil borings, groundwater monitoring wells, etc.) and laboratory analysis. Phase 2 is only needed when Phase 1 identifies potential contamination concerns.
Is a Phase 1 ESA required before buying commercial property in Georgia?
While not legally mandated for all purchases, most lenders, banks, and SBA lenders typically require a Phase 1 ESA before financing commercial real estate in Georgia. It is strongly recommended for any commercial, industrial, or redevelopment transaction to identify potential environmental liabilities.
Guides to Environmental Site Assessments
Cities We Serve in Georgia
Get Your Phase 1 ESA Quote for Georgia
Tell us about the property and consultants who work in Georgia will send you pricing and turnaround times.