Loading
Loading
Review of Case Materials
Reviews records, documents, testimony, data, and other relevant materials and consults with counsel regarding technical issues related to the matter.
Provide Expert Analysis
Applies specialized knowledge and experience to evaluate the technical or professional issues involved.
Form Expert Opinions
Develops independent, supportable opinions based on the available evidence and relevant standards.
Prepare Expert Reports
Showing Results 0 of 0
The investigation can combine release-detection records with inventory data, tank and piping tests, alarms, maintenance records, dispenser conditions, and environmental findings. EPA recognizes several approaches to UST release detection, including interstitial monitoring, tank tightness testing, groundwater or vapor monitoring in qualifying situations, automatic tank gauging, and other approved methods. The significance of any result depends on whether the system was properly installed, operated, calibrated, and maintained.
Location and operating history are important. Soil or vapor observations near a dispenser, evidence along a buried product line, pressure or line-leak detector records, tank inventory discrepancies, and tightness-test results can help narrow the source. EPA's UST framework treats tanks and piping separately for release-detection purposes because each portion of the system can develop and reveal leaks differently.
Buried metal components are exposed to soil conditions that can promote corrosion if they are not adequately protected. An expert may examine tank and piping materials, coatings, cathodic-protection records, testing history, repairs, and evidence of pitting or perforation. EPA identifies noncorrodible construction, corrosion-resistant coatings with cathodic protection, and other approved protective approaches among methods used to prevent corrosion-related UST releases.
Once a release is confirmed, the investigation can shift from the equipment to the subsurface. Soil and groundwater sampling, free-product observations, groundwater elevations, geology, utility locations, vapor findings, release history, and surrounding receptors can help establish the extent and migration of contamination. EPA's current leaking-UST cleanup framework uses site characterization and conceptual site models to integrate the source, contaminant distribution, migration routes, exposure pathways, and potentially affected receptors.
Prepares clear, well-supported expert reports outlining methodology, analysis, findings, and opinions.
Provide Deposition Testimony
Explains findings and opinions under oath and responds to questioning during deposition testimony.
Testify in Court
Presents specialized findings and opinions clearly to judges, juries, arbitrators, or other decision-makers.
