June 19th, 2017
Community Company news Environmental services SSCI history

Wetlands Permitting, Continuing Education

Project Manager, Chrystal Fretwell, recently attended a Wetland Permitting Workshop based on the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Regulation and the Clean Water Act (CWA) Enforcement requirements.  The workshop included documentation of wetland delineations, review of hydric soils, and performance of a Hydrology and Hydric Soils Field Practicum at Jesse Jones Park and Nature Center in Humble, Texas.  Gathering soil data using the Munsell Soil Color Book. Wild strawberries growing at the Jesse Jones Park & Nature Center.      Iron deposit fissures in the soil indicate hydric soils. Soil testing location. Mr. Jim Herrington, PWS was the Read More »

June 19th, 2017
Company news Environmental services Industry news Safety

Drones in Environmental Investigations

The usage of drones by civilians has increased significantly over the past few years.  An estimated 600,000 drones will be in use by commercial enterprises by 2018. The top industry using drones in the United States is photography with the second largest being real estate ( DMR, www.expandedramblings.com).  Drones have been used in military applications for years but as the drones move to the commercial industry and to hobbyists, concerns have been raised regarding safety and enforcement of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.  The FAA refers to drones as an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and regulations apply for personal and Read More »

June 11th, 2017
Community Company news Environmental services

Southeast Texas Cooperative Purchasing Organization

Separation Systems Consultants, Inc. has been awarded a vendor contract by the Southeast Texas Cooperative Purchasing Organization.   Cooperative buying can provide lower prices and better quality for school districts.   Region 5 Education Service Center (ESC) acts as the coordinator for this cooperative and facilitates the process needed for it to be successful.  Through the ESC Region 5, SSCI has been awarded an Environmental Services contract. Purchasing Cooperative Members include school districts, colleges, cities, counties, and charter schools.  Members participating in the SETCP can access SSCI’s vendor profile by searching the Vendor Database. Southeast Texas Purchasing Cooperative Awarded Vendors Read More »

June 11th, 2017
Community Environmental services

Keep Galveston Bay Clean Public Meeting

Galveston Bay Foundation wants Bay area residents to have a stake in keeping harmful bacteria out of Galveston Bay. That’s why GBF will host this public meeting at the Civic Center in League City on Monday, June 12, at 6:30 pm to update residents on our plan to keep our waters clean. In partnership with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and local stakeholders, GBF is working to keep bacteria out of the Bay through improving wastewater treatment plant operations, improving pollution reporting strategies, eliminating boater waste and more. Galveston Bay Foundation wants Bay area residents to have a stake Read More »

April 21st, 2017
Environmental services Industry news

Proposed Mold Assessors and Remediators Rules Published

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has proposed new rules for Mold Assessors and Remediators. The proposed new rules are necessary to implement the transition of the Mold Assessors and Remediators program from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) to TDLR.  Texas Senate Bill 202 proposed transferring Mold licensing from TDSHS to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) effective on November 1, 2017. The proposed rules are published in the April 21, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 2057). The TDLR will accept comments on the proposal until May 22, 2017.  The proposed Read More »

April 8th, 2017
Community Environmental services Industry news Safety SSCI history

Hidden Dangers of Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells

Oil spills consisting of crude oil or drilling “mud” are often found at oil and gas drilling sites.  Drilling fluids are captured during drilling in pits and held for later disposal. The frequency of spills and improper maintenance and disposal of drilling mud results in soil, surface water, and groundwater impacts.  Once the drilling field has been exhausted or abandoned due to economic reasons, the wells, drilling equipment, tanks, pits, gathering lines, and other equipment (as seen in the pictures above) are left behind for property owners to cleanup. Because there are no requirements in most states for property owners Read More »

February 3rd, 2016
Environmental services

Buyers BEWARE

Buyers, beware of unknown chemical containers stored on your potential properties.  All properties should be thoroughly inspected prior to buying, selling, leasing or refinancing.   SSCI specializes in performing Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) on every property type to assist our clients that may be eligible in qualifying for Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)’s Innocent Landowner (ILO) defense and/or assist with cleaning up a property through remediation practices.  Our assessments are conducted by Environmental Professionals in accordance with the Standard Practice of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E 1527-13 . Don’t get caught in environmental liability; SSCI offers Read More »

January 21st, 2016
Environmental services SSCI history

Throw Back Thursday to SSCI’s With Pollution Experts, Look Before You Leap

With pollution experts, look before you leap.  Experience counts; bargains can prove costly. Here are some common fallacies: A limited asbestos survey is sufficient to determine the presence of asbestos. Environmental regulations are the same in every state. A consultant who has identified an environmental problem with a Phase I assessment can then just clean it up; there is no need to pay for a Phase II assessment. Historical use of the property is not a source of concern. If the environmental consultant makes no recommendations for further study or cleanup, there are no problems. This article appeared in the Read More »