Soil Contamination Testing
Made ground and soils on previously developed sites can contain asbestos and other contaminants. Our soil contamination testing identifies what is present before excavation or redevelopment, helping you protect workers and neighbours, plan groundworks and manage excavated material correctly.
What Is Soil Contamination Testing?
Soil contamination testing is the sampling and laboratory analysis of soils and made ground to identify contaminants that may affect health, construction works or the way excavated material is managed. On many sites the main concern is asbestos in soils, which can be present as visible fragments of asbestos-containing material or as loose fibres that cannot be seen. Testing can also include other contaminants associated with historic land use, such as metals, hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as agreed within the scope. Investigations are planned around the site history and proposed works, and may include trial pits, representative soil sampling and targeted sampling of suspect asbestos material. The results support waste classification in line with the Environment Agency's WM3 guidance and, where landfill disposal is being considered, WAC testing can be included as a separate assessment.
When Is Soil Contamination Testing Needed?
- Before excavation or groundworks on previously developed or brownfield land
- When made ground or demolition rubble may contain asbestos
- When suspect asbestos material has been found in soils during works
- When excavated soils need to be classified before disposal
- When contamination information is needed to plan remediation or protect site workers
- When pre-construction information on ground conditions is needed under CDM 2015
Who Needs Soil Contamination Testing?
- Developers and landowners redeveloping brownfield sites
- Groundworks, civil engineering and demolition contractors
- Schools, local authorities and public sector estates planning external works
- Principal designers and principal contractors under CDM 2015
- Consultants managing remediation and enabling works
- Facilities managers of industrial and commercial sites
What You Receive
- Investigation scope agreed against the site history and proposed works
- Trial pits and representative soil sampling as agreed within the scope
- Targeted sampling of suspect asbestos material where encountered
- Specialist laboratory analysis for asbestos in soils and other agreed contaminants
- Written report with sample locations, depths, photographs and laboratory results
- Information to support waste classification (WM3), with WAC testing available as a separate assessment where landfill disposal is being considered
Our Investigation Process
Desk Review & Scoping
We review the site history, proposed works and any existing information, then agree the investigation locations, sampling approach and analysis required.
Trial Pits & Sampling
We excavate trial pits or use other agreed methods to inspect the ground, take representative soil samples and carry out targeted sampling of any suspect asbestos material, with controls in place to minimise disturbance.
Specialist Laboratory Analysis
Samples are sent to a specialist laboratory for analysis of asbestos in soils and any other contaminants agreed within the scope. Where required, samples for WAC testing are analysed separately.
Reporting & Recommendations
You receive a clear report setting out what was found, where, and what it means for your works, including information to support waste classification and recommendations on next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does asbestos get into soil?
Asbestos in soils is usually linked to previous development, such as demolition of buildings containing asbestos, buried demolition rubble, historic fly-tipping or the use of made ground. It can be present as visible fragments of asbestos-containing material or as loose fibres that cannot be seen without laboratory analysis.
What does a soil investigation involve?
Investigations are planned around the site and the proposed works. They commonly involve trial pits, representative soil sampling at agreed locations and depths, targeted sampling of any suspect asbestos material and specialist laboratory analysis. The scope is agreed with you before work starts.
Will the results tell me how to classify the waste?
The laboratory results provide information to support waste classification in line with the Environment Agency's WM3 guidance, which establishes whether excavated material is hazardous or non-hazardous. This is separate from WAC testing, which assesses whether classified waste is suitable for acceptance at a particular landfill.
Do I also need WAC testing?
Possibly. If excavated soils are being considered for disposal to landfill, the receiving site may require WAC results. WAC testing can be planned alongside the soil investigation where agreed within the scope, but it does not replace waste classification.
Can testing be carried out on an occupied site such as a school?
Yes. Investigations on occupied sites are planned around access, timing and the people using the site, with appropriate controls to minimise disturbance. We agree arrangements with you as part of the scope.
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