SSCI’s Annual Company Picnic was good, clean fun for our employees, their families, and friends. Every year the SSCI team gathers like family at Hodges’ Ranches for home-cooking and camaraderie. The occasion also gave the SSCI team a chance to get to know our newest team members on a more personal level. Office interactions become easier when employees find something in common with one another, and working relationships benefit by the acceptance of employees and their respective families It humanize those we see around the office and pays tribute to a more traditional form of social networking.The SSCI team and Read More »
SSCI Environmental has recently renewed our certification as a City of Houston Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE). SSCI also holds the City of Houston Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) certifications. SSCI has worked successfully with the City of Houston on projects as a prime and as a subcontractor for many years. These projects include Asbestos Surveys and Mold Assessments, Asbestos Air Monitoring/Abatement, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), and Phase II ESAs. SSCI provided Professional Environmental Consulting Services, General Environmental Services, and Asbestos and Lead Program Services. More information regarding these project is provided below. SSCI has Read More »
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 »
SSCI recently held its annual Ranch Picnic located at the Hodges Ranch in Santa Fe, Texas. SSCI was also happy to host CRG Texas Environmental Services, Inc. at the annual Ranch Picnic. This year’s Ranch Picnic featured a wide variety of delicious Texas BBQ! From ribs, chicken, sausage, and smoked brisket to tasty sweet treats, a fun time was had by all! Friendly competitive games of corn-hole and croquet commenced between a few SSCI and CRG employees throughout the afternoon. A ranch tour was provided by Ms. Helen Hodges, President of SSCI, to all who attended the festivities. Throughout the Read More »
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 »
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 »
“A strong team that is focused on quality work and innovative but proven methods can build partnerships that produce results on time and within budget. Separation Systems Consultants, Inc. (SSCI), professionals in environmental management and field remediation, is just that kind of team. And we’d like to be part of your team for success.” These words were written a few decades ago but are still just as true today. To read more: SSCI – Teamwork Builds Results (printable version)
Takota was a sad dog. A former race dog, the greyhound now lived in a small yard, and his owner, Les Tibbals, couldn’t find a fenced-in area big enough for him to really run. Then Helen Hodges, president and CEO of SSCI, offered use of the fence-lined land around a one-acre detention pond that the company maintains in Webster, Texas. In exchange, Les is cleaning up trash on the site and has offered to mow. Now the detention pond isn’t just protecting against flooding and downstream erosion. It’s become a new track for Takota to race around. After getting used Read More »
On June 30, 1989, SSCI specialized in closing nonhazardous oilfield waste pits in Louisiana, a business model that took advantage of a government mandate that those pits be dealt with. The next day, Helen Hodges took over and expanded our services to include consulting and a range of environmental remediation activities. That kicked off a thriving 25 years for SSCI. Helen, who’d run small businesses enterprises since she was in grade school, brought both technical and business expertise. She had earned her bachelor’s degree in physical sciences from San Jose University, a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Idaho and Read More »