Your Trusted Environmental Consultants in Austin & Central Texas
Balancing rapid economic development with strict environmental compliance across the Texas Hill Country and the Silicon Hills.
Our Environmental Expertise in Austin and Central Texas
Peace Environmental Services (PES) is a premier environmental consulting firm serving the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area and surrounding Central Texas counties, including Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell, and Burnet. As Austin experiences unprecedented urban, tech, and industrial growth, businesses face the unique challenge of expanding while protecting the highly sensitive Texas Hill Country ecosystem.
Whether you are building a massive new tech campus, managing chemical inventories for a semiconductor fabrication plant, or navigating the stringent water protection rules of the Edwards Aquifer, our team of environmental engineers and compliance experts is here to help. We provide turnkey environmental, health, and safety (EHS) solutions tailored to the specific regulatory requirements of TCEQ Region 11, the EPA, and local Central Texas authorities.
Explore Our Services
Stormwater Permitting and Compliance Services in Austin
Austin’s rapid development and its location along the Colorado River make stormwater management a top priority for local regulators. We develop comprehensive Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) that ensure full compliance with the EPA, TCEQ Region 11, the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department, and the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). From downtown high-rise construction to industrial facilities in Round Rock and Pflugerville, we manage your NOIs, outfall sampling, and discharge monitoring to protect local waterways and the Edwards Aquifer.
Austin SPCC Plan Development & Compliance
Even in a tech-centric city, oil spill prevention is a critical regulatory requirement. Data centers with massive backup diesel generators, logistics hubs, and advanced manufacturing plants must comply with EPA 40 CFR Part 112. Our consultants specialize in developing Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans for Austin businesses. We provide precise site evaluations, secondary containment calculations, and employee training to prevent accidental fuel discharges into the sensitive Central Texas environment.
Air Permitting and Compliance for Austin Businesses
As the Austin area's population and industrial footprint expand, maintaining regional air quality is a major focus for the TCEQ. We assist Central Texas businesses—from manufacturing facilities to tech hardware producers—with complex air emissions calculations, regulatory reporting, and obtaining the correct permits, including Permits by Rule (PBRs), Standard Permits, and Title V operating permits. We help your facility stay fully compliant with TCEQ Region 11 emission limits to avoid operational delays and fines.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) for Austin Properties
The commercial real estate market in Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties moves at lightning speed. Before purchasing land or securing financing for redevelopment, environmental due diligence is crucial to protect against inherited liability under CERCLA. We conduct rigorous Phase I ESAs strictly adhering to ASTM E1527-21 standards. We thoroughly investigate historical land uses, from former agricultural tracts to legacy industrial sites, identifying any Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) before you close your Austin real estate transaction.
Austin Phase II ESA and Subsurface Environmental Testing
If a Phase I ESA flags potential contamination on an Austin property, our team seamlessly transitions into a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment. We conduct targeted soil, groundwater, and soil vapor testing tailored to the historical activities of Central Texas. Following ASTM E1903 standards, we accurately delineate the presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products, providing developers and investors with the definitive data needed for safe property acquisition and remediation.
OSHA Audit and Workplace Safety Consulting
Protecting your employees is essential to maintaining operations in Austin’s fast-paced economy. We provide comprehensive OSHA compliance audits and safety consulting for Central Texas’s key sectors, including technology, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. From hazard communication programs to lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) protocols, we help you build a proactive safety culture that reduces workplace injuries and ensures strict regulatory adherence.
EPCRA Tier II Reporting Services in Central Texas
Austin's booming "Silicon Hills" is home to numerous semiconductor fabs, advanced manufacturing plants, and tech facilities that store hazardous chemicals. If your facility exceeds specific chemical storage thresholds, annual EPCRA Tier II reporting is legally required. We manage the crucial March 1st deadline by meticulously classifying your chemical inventory, calculating maximum daily amounts, and ensuring accurate, timely STEERS submissions to the TCEQ, local fire departments, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
Respirator Fit Testing and Training in the Austin Area
Airborne hazards remain a serious risk in many Central Texas industrial, construction, and specialized manufacturing environments. We offer professional, on-site respirator fit testing and OSHA-compliant respiratory protection training. We ensure your Austin workforce has the properly fitted equipment necessary to protect against occupational dust, chemical vapors, and localized hazards, keeping your team safe and fully compliant.
Austin Environmental Compliance FAQ
01Do tech companies and data centers in Austin need environmental consulting?
Yes. While often perceived as "clean" industries, tech companies and data centers frequently trigger environmental regulations. Large data centers use massive diesel backup generators, which often require SPCC plans for fuel storage and air permits for emissions. Additionally, semiconductor manufacturers store significant quantities of hazardous materials, requiring strict EPCRA Tier II reporting and hazardous waste management.
02How do the Edwards Aquifer rules impact development in Austin?
The Edwards Aquifer is highly vulnerable to surface pollution, and parts of Travis, Hays, and Williamson counties sit over its recharge and contributing zones. If you are developing land or operating an industrial site in these zones, the TCEQ’s Edwards Aquifer Protection Program (EAPP) requires specialized approvals, such as a Water Pollution Abatement Plan (WPAP), before construction can begin.
03Who regulates stormwater and environmental compliance in Austin?
Austin businesses must navigate a multi-layered regulatory environment. You must comply with federal EPA laws, state regulations enforced by TCEQ Region 11, and highly localized rules enforced by the City of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department. Additionally, properties near the Colorado River or Highland Lakes may fall under the jurisdiction of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA).
04What is a Phase I ESA, and why do I need one to buy commercial land in Central Texas?
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is a historical and physical investigation of a property to determine if it has been contaminated by previous owners. Even if you are buying seemingly "raw" land in the Hill Country, historical agricultural chemicals, illegal dumping, or undocumented oil/gas activities can pose hidden risks. A Phase I ESA is required to qualify for the "Innocent Landowner Defense" under federal law, protecting you from cleanup costs.
05Does Austin have specific air quality concerns?
While the Austin-Round Rock area is currently in compliance with federal ozone standards (unlike DFW or Houston), rapid population and industrial growth mean air quality is closely monitored. New manufacturing or industrial facilities must still secure the appropriate TCEQ air permits (like PBRs or Standard Permits) and keep emissions within strict limits to ensure the region avoids a nonattainment designation in the future.