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- Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
- Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB)
- Local Environmental Health Departments
Soil sampling is often required during facility closures where contamination is suspected or as due diligence when purchasing property. Sampling determines if soils meet health and environmental standards or need further cleanup. CDMS has extensive expertise conducting soil sampling to characterize on-site contamination. Our team will perform an initial site survey to determine boring locations and identify underground utilities. We use advanced drilling techniques to access soil and collect samples at depth. Samples are handled under strict chain of custody and sent to certified labs for analysis of contaminants like heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides and more. CDMS will compile a detailed report presenting the sampling methodology, lab results, maps, and comparison to regulatory screening levels. Our soil sampling services provide critical data to evaluate potential liabilities and environmental risk when closing or acquiring properties. Let our experts handle your soil sampling needs. Some sampling is required of an agency, usually in facility closure situations if conditions indicate the potential for contamination. Other sampling is done as due diligence upon the purchase of property, to protect the buyer from buying a site that has contamination, which they will then be responsible for. CDMS will conduct soil sampling at the site location to determine the extent of any soil contamination. The following activities will be performed: When is soil sampling required? How are soil sample locations determined? How is access to soil obtained for sampling? What depth are soil samples collected from? What are common soil contaminants tested for? What is the process for collecting soil samples? How are soil samples transported and handled? What is soil sample chain of custody documentation? How long does laboratory soil sample analysis take? What methods do labs use to analyze soil? How are soil sampling and analysis results reported? Who conducts soil sampling? Does soil sampling require health and safety precautions? When is a soil management plan or remediation required? Can previous land use influence soil sampling? How many soil samples are typically collected? How are soil samples packaged for transport to the lab? What quality control samples are collected? How long must soil sampling and analysis records be retained?
Soil Sampling
Regulatory bodies
Who needs it
Regulation reference
What our service provides:
Request a Free EHS Compliance Assessment
When contaminant releases are suspected, before construction, phase 1 assessments, site closures, etc.
Based on site history, suspected areas of contamination, geology, environmental pathways.
Methods include hand tools for shallow sampling or drill rigs for deep core samples.
Depends on the site. Shallow (0-2 ft) to deep samples (10-100 ft) may be needed.
Metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, VOCs, SVOCs.
Use decontaminated tools, collect in jars or bags, preserve if needed, label, document in field notes.
Sealed containers are packed in coolers with ice packs and shipped via overnight courier.
Records tracking sample custody from collection through analysis to ensure integrity.
Typically 7-15 business days depending on analytes being tested.
Common methods include GC/MS, ICP-AES, UV/Vis Spectrophotometry, wet chemistry.
In a detailed report presenting methods, tables of lab data, comparisons to action levels.
Environmental consultants, geologists, engineers, drillers, laboratories, remediation contractors. Please Contact Us to get support or request a Soil Sampling assessment. Our skilled team of EH&S specialists is ready to assist you.
Yes, proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and precautions are necessary in contaminated areas.
If sampling shows contaminants exceed regulatory screening levels or cleanup goals.
Yes, past use as industrial, waste sites, agriculture, etc. informs contaminants to test for.
Highly variable. As few as 3-5 to hundreds may be collected depending on site size.
Sealable plastic bags, jars, acetate sleeves inside labeled boxes or coolers.
Method blanks, duplicates, matrix spikes to validate laboratory processes.
Minimum of 3 years is common but may need longer for some sites.