Let's Talk Remediation

In this 59th episode, I discuss the topic Relocation aka "Dig/Vacuum and Haul" is NOT Remediation. The old traditional default thought to dealing with contaminated soil is to dig and haul it off to a waste disposal facility.  Similarly, vacuuming up contaminated water and transporting it to a disposal facility.  In both of these case, the contamination is only being relocated.  It is NOT...

In this 58th episode, I discuss A Future Event - Large Scale Demonstration of "The New Remediation Paradigm" in Odessa, Texas. Here's an opportunity that you don't want to miss.  It's the opportunity to see a large scale remediation in real time, implementing "The New Remediation Paradigm." When:  The event is taking place on July 15, 2026 at 10 am. Where:  Light...

In this 57th episode, I discuss How Does Ground Water Get Contaminated? Ground Water typically gets contaminated through soil seeping ro leaching contamination from the soil down into the Ground Water as gravity pulls down on it.  Sometimes there is a direct line from the surface to get contamination directly into the Ground Water, like an old water well. The typical sources of Ground Water Contam...

In this 56th episode, I discuss Why is it Important to Remediate Chlorides? Chlorides, Sodium Chlorides (NaCl), Salt.  Brine Water, Produced Water, Production Water is Water with high amounts of Salt in it.  Much higher salt content than that of Ocean Water. Brine Water is brought up out of the ground when extracting oil from ground.  When "producing" oil, for every barrel of oil obtaine...

In this 55th episode, I discuss Soil Remediation Sampling - Grab vs. Composite. When Soil Remediation is being performed, Soil Sampling is needed to monitor and document the remediation and it's effectiveness. In performing soil sampling, there are two types of samples; Grab and Composite. Grab samples are samples taken a very specific location. Composite samples are a collection of multiple...

In this 54th episode, I discuss a Current Event - Hanby Environmental and OMG Solutions in The Oil & Gas Mecca (Midland/Odessa Texas) Demonstrating The New Remediation Paradigm on TPH and Chlorides. Today we traveled to Lighthouse Environmental a Remediation Contractor in "The Mecca."  Lighthouse provided a field sample that they knew was contaminated with Chlorides and Total Petrole...

In this 53rd episode, I discuss "Who is The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and What is Rule 91?" The Railroad Commission of Texas is The State of Texas' Regulatory Body governing The Oil & Gas Industry. One of the main governing regulations it uses is called "Rule 91." Rule 91 sets the notification, clean up and reporting requirements.  Rule 91 provides tiered requ...

In this 52nd episode, I discuss a Current Event:  "TCEQ ETF" (Texas Commission of Environmental Quality - Environmental Trade Fair. The TCEQ ETF is the premier annual conference for all things Environmental. As the old saying goes, "Everything is Bigger in Texas," The TCEQ ETF is the largest environmental conference in The United States. The TCEQ ETF is always held in mid May a...

In this 51st episode, I discuss a Current Event:  "The New Chlorides Remediation Paradigm!" Chlorides are a big problem, particularly in The Oilfield.  Also known as Production Water, Produced Water, Brine Water and Salt Water, during the extraction of Crude Oil, this high salinity water is also extracted and most often is volumes 2-5 times the amount of Crude Oil. As such, it must be de...

In this 50th episode, I discuss some "Best Practices for Field Soil Sampling." One of the most important considerations is to remember that Soil Contamination, is not always sitting on the surface as horizontal contamination.  The longer the contamination is in soil, the more gravity begins to work on it, causing migration or the traveling of the contamination vertically. Another importa...

In this 49th episode, I review an article I wrote a little over two years ago entitled "The Fundamentals of Field Sampling." In short, the keys are to have reliable field measurements to guide you to know when to knowledgeably send samples to The Laboratory for Third Party Validation as "Confirmatory Samples," confirming what you were able to see in the filed while performing t...

In this 48th episode, I discuss The Goal of Environmental Site Assessments.  Final Report and Closure. The Goal of performing Environmental Site Assessments is to generate a Final Report to be submitted to the necessary Regulatory bodies to obtain a Closure Report that indicated No Further Remediation is required. In order to obtain this, a final Report must be prepared and submitted to the necess...

In this 47th episode, I discuss What Is A Phase 3 Environmental Site Assessment? A Phase 3 Environmental Site Assessment ("ESA") is recommended when the concern of possible contamination was recommended by a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment to proceed with a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment.  And in the Phase 2, during the sampling, contamination was confirmed. A Phase 3 Enviro...

In this 46th episode, I discuss What Is A Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment? A Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment ("ESA") is the second step in understanding the level of possible environmental contamination risk is associated with a particular property. A Phase 2 Environmental Assessment involves sampling of soil, soil gas/vapor and groundwater to determine if contamination exist...

In this 45th episode, I discuss What Is A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment? A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment ("ESA") is the first step in understanding the level of possible environmental contamination risk is associated with a particular property. A Phase 1 Environmental Assessment is a historical of a property, from when it was raw land to its current use today.  Based on t...

In this 44th episode, I discuss What Are Carbon Numbers and How Do They Relate to Environmental Remediation? Carbon Numbers refer to the number of Carbon Atoms in a particular molecule.  The number of Carbon Atoms directly correlate to the weight of the molecule.  This weight is used for identification of the substance which is also referred to as qualification and from that identification, the qu...

In this 43rd episode, I discuss The Dinosaur Method of "Dig and Haul" As A Remediation Method. "Digging and Hauling" away contaminated Soil and Water has been done for decades.  It's out of sight and out of mind.  However, there is a strong push to change this age old practice to newer alternatives that actually address the problem, rather than relocating the problem by tr...

In this 42nd episode, I discuss "What is Environmental Remediation?" Environmental Remediation is the removal by some means of pollution or contamination from Soil, Water or Air due to it not being naturally occurring and as such is causing harm or potential harm to Human and Animal Health and/or Our Environment. Environmental Remediation has a method or process which typically covers An...

In this 41st episode, we celebrate Hanby Environmental's story from beginning to current day. I tell the story of our founding by Our Founder, Inventor, Namesake and My Grandfather John David Hanby. I also provide some background on My Grandfather that lead him to his discovery and My Grandmother's push to create a business from it. Forty years in business from March 6, 1986 to March 6,...

In this 40th episode, I discuss "What Are Remediation Technology Descriptions for Cleaning Up Contaminated Sites?" In this episode of Let's Talk Remediation, I briefly go over the different Remediation Technologies and Medias that can be used as options. As additional insight, I provide examples of how the use of a combination of Remediation Technologies and/or Media is The Best App...

In this 39th episode, I discuss "What Are The Main Hazard Classifications for Hazardous Materials?" Hazardous Materials for Transportation purposes are classified into (9) main classification categories.  The purpose of the classification categories are to provide a quick way to know the types of hazards that a product or material poses and by having visual labels on the exterior packagi...

In this 38th episode, I discuss What is "Waste?" (Hazardous vs. Non-Hazardous). Waste refers to any substance, material, or byproduct that is discarded, unwanted, or unusable after its primary purpose has been served. It encompasses solid (garbage, trash), liquid (sewage), and gaseous emissions, resulting from human, household, agricultural, or industrial activities. Effective management...

In this 37th episode, I discuss What is "CERCLA?" The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), enacted in 1980 and commonly known as Superfund , authorizes the EPA to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. It enforces a "polluter pays" principle, holding responsible parties liable for cleanup co...

In this 36th episode, I discuss What is "RCRA?" The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), enacted in 1976, is the primary U.S. federal law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste, aiming to protect human health and the environment. It establishes a " cradle-to-grave " system for managing hazardous waste from generation to final disposal, while also promotin...

In this 35th episode, I discuss What Are The "NCP and NCP List" and What's Their Purpose? During this episode, I go through what The NCP and NCP List are and their intended purpose of regulating the products that are used during an Oil Spill or Hazardous Substance Release involving "Navigable Bodies of Water and Their Adjoining Shorelines."   The NCP List is a product sche...