Due diligence contamination assessment is a systematic process that evaluates property for environmental contamination risks and potential geotechnical problems for a future owner of the land. These assessments are undertaken as pre-purchase assessments, to ensure new owners will buy contaminated land or land with significant geotechnical risks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers standards for contamination assessments. Geotechnical engineers decide the degree of assessment warranted, which will differ based on the site.

It is ultimately the property owner’s responsibility for toxic materials. Site environmental due diligence assessments will protect the purchasers against the significant burden of environmental liability, although contamination is found after buying.