Let's be honest.

Environmental issues can be painful. We mitigate those pain points by getting the job done right, the first time.

We have the answers.

Environmental questions can be complex. We have the experience and the connections to see you through.

It's about you.

Our commitment to our clients is unwavering. Count on us to be there and to be straightforward, no matter what.

down button

Services

We offer a broad range of environmental consulting and safety services tailored to meet our clients’ needs.

  • Voluntary Action Program

    • Ohio EPA Certified Professionals
    • Phase I & II Property Assessment
    • Fate & Transport Modeling
    • Urban Setting Designations
    • Ecological & Human Health Risk
  • Site Assessments

    • Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments
    • Geoprobe™ Subsurface Sampling
    • Underground Storage Tank Services
    • Groundwater Monitoring & Modeling
    • Hydrogeological Assessments
    • Wellhead Protection Planning
    • Comprehensive Landfill Services
  • Wetlands & Ecology

    • Wetlands Delineations
    • Ecological Resources Assessments
    • Wetlands Mitigation Planning & Permitting
    • Streambank Stabilization (Bio-engineering)
    • Wetlands Bank Site Development
    • Endangered Species Evaluations
  • Safety, Industrial Hygiene & IAQ

    • OSHA Compliance Audits
    • Safety Programs
    • Safety Training
    • Industrial Hygiene Assessments
    • Personal Exposure Monitoring
    • Indoor Air Quality Investigations
  • Environmental Compliance

    • Environmental Compliance Auditing
    • Air & Water Permit Preparation
    • Waste Management
    • Environmental Reporting
    • Toxic Release Inventory Reporting
    • ISO 14001:2015 EMS Development and Auditing
    • SPCC & Storm Water Plan Development
  • Lead & Asbestos

    • Asbestos Surveys
    • Lead-based Paint Surveys
    • Specification Development
    • Project Oversight Services
    • On-site PCM Analysis
    • Lead in Drinking Water Testing
  • Cultural Resources Management

    • GIS Analysis

Team

We are a team of environmental consulting experts
Our professionals understand the most demanding environmental problems.

  • "Safety, integrity, and data quality" Sue Eden

  • "We partner with our clients to help them find their way through complex regulations." Doug Wetzel

  • "We work with our clients as partners – your priorities are our priorities." Barb Knecht

  • "Embrace change!" Dwight Williams

  • "We work with our clients as partners – their goals are our goals." Rebecca Florjancic

About

HZW provides environmental consulting services
We create solutions to challenging circumstances, maximizing resources for the best possible outcomes.

“HZW is the best. I have used you for Phase I and wetlands. Nobody has such a good track record with Ohio EPA. Matt Knecht is a tremendous quarterback with the agency.”

Developer Client

HZW is a Women-Owned Business Enterprise, full-service environmental and safety consulting firm with offices in Mentor and Akron, and field offices in Euclid and Canton.
We are recognized as one of the leading providers of quality environmental and safety consulting services in the state of Ohio, nationwide, Canada and Mexico.

Not so FAQ

These are real questions of an environmental nature posed to HZW over the years.

Question

Can you test my furnace filter for mold?

Answer

Yes, we can test almost anything for mold.

Question

If my cow drinks water contaminated by salt, will it go blind?

Answer

We did the research and the answer is no. Cows have a limited tolerance for salt water and will stop drinking it, even if it is the only water available to them. It was determined that the cows went blind due to another cause.

Question

If worms eat contaminated soil, can I still use them for fish bait?

Answer

Yes, the available research indicates that chemicals do not bio-accumulate in the common earthworm.

Question

Is it safe for my toddler to chew on a picnic table made from recycled plastic?

Answer

We responded it is probably not a good idea to have your kid chew on plastic – recycled or otherwise – that has not been approved by the Consumer Products Safety Council.

Question

If a contaminated site has been cleaned up and is acceptable for use by humans is it also safe for burrowing dogs?

Answer

Yes, but not for the reason you might think. It is true that dogs have a smaller body mass than humans. However, from a risk assessment standpoint, a dog’s shorter life span (12–15 years on average) is the deciding factor.

Question

Why do children eat lead-based paint?

Answer

Lead-based paint has a sweet flavor; in fact, it has been compared in flavor to certain types of candies.

Question

Do wetlands have cattails and standing water?

Answer

Not necessarily , while it is common in some landscapes to see wetlands containing water and cattails. It is also common to have wetlands which are only saturated at the surface and contain a variety of other plants, shrubs, and tree species. Just because it does not have standing water does not mean it is not a wetland.