Over the last 15 years an entire base of literature has been developed in site characterization procedures, guides and standard methods. These consensus standards developed through the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) D-18 soil and rock have touched on every aspect of the site characterization process. These include, drilling methods, monitoring well design, hydraulic conductivity field measurements, soil & rock testing methods and interpretation procedures.

The systematic investigation of sites and facilities through consesus standards provides highly defensable data sets that have stood the test of legal court reviews. The application of these standards provides flexable anaysis techniques with alternatives that can address changing field conditions.