Phase I Environmental Site Assessments in British Columbia

CSR Consultants provides Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I ESAs) throughout British Columbia, including Vancouver and Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, the Interior, and Northern BC.

What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) is a non-intrusive assessment of a property’s current and historical conditions to identify actual or potential environmental contamination and liability. It provides a method of evaluating a property’s environmental condition without intrusive investigation, such as soil and groundwater sampling.

In British Columbia, Phase I ESA work may also be referred to as a Stage 1 Preliminary Site Investigation (Stage 1 PSI) when completed within the provincial contaminated sites framework. For related regulatory due diligence, see our guide to Site Disclosure Statements in BC.

When is a Phase I ESA commonly requested?

A Phase I ESA is commonly requested as part of environmental due diligence for property purchases, financing or refinancing, redevelopment, and other real estate transactions. Lenders, purchasers, developers, lawyers, and other parties may request an assessment to better understand potential environmental liabilities before proceeding with a transaction. For information about report confidentiality and sharing, see Who Sees Your Phase I ESA Report in BC? Property owners may also commission a Phase I ESA before listing a property to identify potential environmental concerns before purchaser due diligence begins.

Regulatory Framework

CSR conducts Phase I ESAs in accordance with CSA Standard Z768-01 (R2022) and applicable provincial regulatory requirements in British Columbia, including the Contaminated Sites Regulation.

The assessment is intended to identify Areas of Potential Environmental Concern (APECs) and associated Potential Contaminants of Concern (PCOCs) that may warrant further investigation or could affect property transactions, regulatory requirements, or future land use and development.

Phase I ESA
Scope of Work

A Phase I ESA completed by CSR typically includes:

 
  • Review of available historical records, including aerial photographs, maps, fire insurance plans, city directories, and previous environmental reports
  • Regulatory database review, including the BC Site Registry and other applicable environmental records
  • Interviews with owners, occupants, or other knowledgeable persons, where available
  • Site reconnaissance of accessible areas
  • Evaluation of current and historical activities on surrounding properties
  • Identification and assessment of APECs and associated PCOCs
  • Preparation of a written report presenting the findings, conclusions, and recommendations

Phase I ESAs do not include intrusive investigation, subsurface scanning, sampling, or laboratory analysis.

Experience and Approach

CSR brings approximately 30 years of environmental due diligence experience to Phase I Environmental Site Assessments across British Columbia, with experience encompassing more than 3,000 assessments across residential, commercial, industrial, and redevelopment properties.

Phase I ESAs are typically completed within five business days of authorization to proceed, subject to site access, record availability, and project complexity.

Where a Phase I ESA identifies APECs or other potential environmental concerns, CSR provides clear guidance regarding whether further investigation may be warranted. Depending on the purpose of the assessment and applicable regulatory requirements, this may include a Phase II ESA or Stage 2 PSI involving intrusive investigation and environmental sampling.

Our approach emphasizes

  • Clear and defensible conclusions
  • Practical risk context
  • Proportionate recommendations
  • Efficient turnaround

Professional Standards

Phase I ESAs are prepared by qualified environmental professionals and reviewed and signed by a Professional Engineer in good standing with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC).

Assessments are completed using the systematic process prescribed by CSA Standard Z768‑01 (R2022) to evaluate whether a property may be subject to actual or potential contamination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Phase I ESA take?

CSR typically completes a Phase I ESA within five business days of authorization to proceed, subject to Site access, record availability, and project complexity.

Does a Phase 1 ESA include soil or groundwater sampling?

No. A Phase I ESA is non-intrusive and does not include subsurface investigation, soil or groundwater sampling, or laboratory analysis.

What happens if environmental concerns are identified?

If a Phase I ESA identifies Areas of Potential Environmental Concern (APECs) or other potential environmental concerns, further investigation may be recommended. Depending on the purpose of the assessment and applicable regulatory requirements, this could include a Phase II ESA or Stage 2 PSI involving intrusive investigation and environmental sampling.

Can a lender or another third party rely on a Phase I ESA report?

Phase I ESA reports are prepared for the client. Where reliance by a lender or another third party is required, CSR can provide a reliance letter at no additional charge.

What is included in a Phase I ESA or Stage 1 PSI?

A Phase I ESA or Stage 1 PSI typically includes review of historical records such as aerial photographs, city directories, fire insurance plans, land title information, and previous environmental reports; regulatory database searches; interviews with owners or occupants where available; Site reconnaissance; evaluation of surrounding properties; identification of APECs and associated Potential Contaminants of Concern (PCOCs); and preparation of a written report with findings, conclusions, and recommendations.