Farmingdale, NJ (December 2006)–  Environmental Liabilities face all real estate owners and can easily cost property owners tens of thousands of dollars due to lack of accurate information associated with environmental hazards on the site. Environmental liability management is even more critical at Daycare centers given the responsibility to protect the children in your care. Where this has always been a concern among owners of Daycare centers and financial institutions who provide financing for these facilities, recent discoveries of mercury contamination at a daycare center in southern New Jersey has heightened awareness of potential health risks and has prompted the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to promulgate guidelines for limited Due Diligence at these facilities.

Whereas the NJDEP has created a mechanism for Daycare owners to perform a limited review of available state files for sites which have reported contamination, this does not constitute a thorough Due Diligence, nor does it completely limit the property owners or operators potential liability. Further, review and evaluation of potential environmental concerns is often a complicated process, requiring professional interpretation of data, hydraulic assessment, and often years of experience.

DW Smith Associates, LLC (DWSA) has completed hundreds of Phase I Environmental Assessments on behalf of industrial, residential, financial and government clients for over forty years. Given the revitalized concerns associated with operating or citing a Daycare facility in New Jersey, limiting your liability while protecting the health of children, completion of a complete Due Diligence / Phase I Environmental Assessment, should be a priority. Based upon the recent publicity associated with the mercury contamination case, financial institutions will also more likely require a thorough environmental investigation before committing resources or mortgage assistance for these facilities.

DWSA’s team of environmental and engineering professionals can assist you through the Due Diligence process which more than ever has become a critical step toward managing Environmental Liability and minimizing Environmental Health Hazards at your school.

For more information about D.W. Smith Associates, call 732-363-5850.