Soil washing is an advanced treatment process that separates contaminants from soil, allowing clean materials to be recovered and reused instead of being sent to landfill. The water helps separate materials based on their size and weight to remove contaminants from excavated soil.

Not all soil is contaminated equally. In many cases, contaminants such as petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, or other regulated substances are concentrated in the finer particles of the soil, while larger materials like sand and gravel remain relatively clean. Soil washing separates these different materials, allowing clean aggregates to be recovered while isolating the smaller fraction that requires further treatment or disposal.

The process typically begins by screening the soil to remove oversized debris and materials. The soil is then washed using water and a series of mechanical separation techniques that sort the material by particle size and density. Once separated, each material stream is evaluated to determine whether it can be reused, requires additional treatment, or must be disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations.

Soil washing is effective for many types of contaminated soil, particularly where contaminants are attached to fine particles such as silt and clay. Depending on the site conditions, it can be used to treat soils impacted by petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other regulated contaminants. Every project begins with a review of your environmental reports to determine whether soil washing is the right solution.

In many cases, yes. Soil washing can significantly reduce the volume of material that requires landfill disposal by recovering clean sand, gravel, and other aggregates for beneficial reuse. This can lower disposal costs, reduce the demand for virgin materials, and minimize the environmental footprint of your project.

During soil washing, contaminants are concentrated into a much smaller volume of fine material or residual waste. This material is then managed using the most appropriate treatment or disposal method in accordance with British Columbia’s environmental regulations, while the cleaned materials may be suitable for reuse if they meet the required standards.

Soil washing is commonly used on projects involving construction and redevelopment, municipal infrastructure, transportation corridors, industrial facilities, brownfield redevelopment, and environmental remediation. It is an effective solution for municipalities, developers, contractors, environmental consultants, and industrial clients looking to manage contaminated soil more sustainably.

The suitability of soil washing depends on the type of contamination, soil characteristics, and your project’s environmental objectives. Our team reviews your site investigation reports, laboratory data, and project requirements to determine whether soil washing is the most effective treatment option or whether another remediation approach would provide better results.