City of Alameda Building Demolition HBMS

Following a “Declaration of Unsafe Building and Notice to Vacate” due to fire damage and structural failure, Building 114 was ordered to be demolished by the City of Alameda in California. Terraphase was engaged to assess hazardous building materials and provide environmental oversight throughout the emergency demolition process.

Scope of Services

Terraphase conducted Hazardous Building Materials Surveys (HBMS) for Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs), Lead-Based Paint (LBP), and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in accessible areas of the site. Asbestos materials and ACM were assumed to be present in structurally compromised, inaccessible areas based on visual inspection and laboratory analysis of building materials sampled in areas deemed safe to enter. Working with the City of Alameda, demolition contractor, abatement contractor, and Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), Terraphase developed demolition-specific waste management, safety, and regulatory compliance recommendations.

Terraphase also provided third-party oversight for asbestos and lead abatement, including air monitoring, regulatory inspections, and clearance reporting. Terraphase documented site activities, including the type, location, and quantity of materials removed or impacted, in daily field logs. Work areas, containments, and control measures were inspected at the start of work and periodically throughout the project. Terraphase performed perimeter air monitoring for asbestos during abatement activities and for lead-in-air during LBP stabilization prior to demolition. Asbestos and lead clearance inspections were conducted upon completion of work. Terraphase was responsive to changes in the abatement and demolition work schedule, mobilizing field staff on short notice to prevent project delays.

Notable Accomplishments

• Assessed and managed hazardous materials in fire-damaged structure on an expedited basis
• Provided real-time abatement oversight, air monitoring, and clearance inspections
• Supported safe and compliant demolition ahead of schedule

School District of Philadelphia Lead in Drinking Water Compliance

The School District of Philadelphia (District) in Pennsylvania is required to protect students from lead in drinking water through a comprehensive Water Testing Management Program. In accordance with City of Philadelphia Bill No. 160618, every drinking water outlet across more than 300 school facilities must be tested for lead on a 5-year cycle. Results must be reported to the city and made publicly available on the District’s website to ensure transparency and public trust.

Scope of Services

Terraphase supported the District in addressing the complex logistical and data management challenges associated with testing thousands of drinking water outlets. To streamline the process, Terraphase developed a custom electronic field data collection tool that allows for digital reporting of field observations, photos, and notes; automation of sample tracking and chains of custody; and integration of corrective action tracking. The system ensures rapid, accurate reporting of lead exceedances (above the 10 parts per billion action level), automates stakeholder notifications, and facilitates regulatory reporting through dashboards and automated alerts.

The tool is integrated with the District’s enterprise database, enabling real-time collaboration on corrective action decisions and tracking of program milestones. It also provides redundancy through lab and database exceedance alerts and supports transparent communication strategies with school staff, parents, and other stakeholders.

Sampling is ongoing at District facilities citywide. As initial samples are collected and analyzed, the project team concurrently manages outlet shutoff confirmations and follow-up actions for lead action level exceedances. All activities are documented in real time within the program database. Weekly and quarterly reports are generated to keep the client and key stakeholders informed.

Notable Accomplishments

• Designed and implemented a custom digital field data collection tool for 300+ school facilities
• Automated chains of custody, corrective action tracking, and regulatory reporting
• Integrated real-time alerts and dashboards for program transparency and efficiency
• Enabled seamless communication with stakeholders and parents regarding lead exceedances
• Helped maintain program schedule and ensure no risks were overlooked

Port of Oakland On-Call Stormwater Services

Terraphase provides on-call environmental compliance services to the Port of Oakland (Port) in California, supporting a wide range of infrastructure, airport, and property-related environmental programs. Our team works closely with Port staff and regulatory agencies to manage risk, ensure regulatory compliance, and implement effective environmental strategies across Port-owned properties and facilities.

Scope of Services

Terraphase services encompass stormwater management, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit compliance, and water quality treatment design, along with drainage infrastructure evaluation and environmental site characterization. Our team developed and implemented the Oakland International Airport stormwater compliance program including preparing the airport-wide Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), performing Qualified Industrial Stormwater Practitioner (QISP) inspections and sampling,  preparing the site stabilization plan, designing best management practices (BMP) under the Industrial General Permit (IGP), and training airport tenants.

Terraphase also assists the Port with property transaction due diligence, site investigations, and remedial planning, and provides ongoing support for regulatory engagement and compliance documentation. Our team implemented erosion and sediment control practices, performed vapor monitoring for methane, and collected soil, groundwater, and stormwater samples.

Notable Accomplishments

• Prepared recommendations for investigation of, upgrades to, and maintenance of stormwater treatment bioswales and retention areas at Oakland International Airport South Field
• Prepared Geographic Information System (GIS) maps of Port post-construction BMPs implemented to meet Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit requirements
• Installed vapor monitoring wells and performed methane monitoring at two Port-owned properties
• Developed closure strategies and completed comprehensive review of historical documents and evaluation of site conditions relevant to low-threat closure, including free product gauging at groundwater monitoring wells