Failed WAC Results: Practical Next Steps for Contractors and Developers

Few things cause more anxiety on a busy site than a WAC report showing failures against key acceptance criteria. Suddenly the disposal route everyone was relying on is in doubt and costs appear to be heading only one way. The good news is that a failed WAC result is not the end of the road – provided you respond methodically.

The first step is to understand which parameters have failed and by how much. Some exceedances may be marginal and within the tolerance of certain facilities, particularly where blending with other materials is proposed. Others, such as gross contamination with hydrocarbons or high soluble metals, will require more decisive action.

Options typically include further segregation of the offending stockpile, on‑site or off‑site treatment, or redirecting the material to a facility with higher acceptance limits, potentially including hazardous landfill. In each case, you will need updated documentation and, in many instances, follow‑up WAC Testing to demonstrate that the revised approach meets the chosen site’s criteria.

EnviroSolution supports clients through this process by interpreting the lab data in plain language and setting out realistic alternatives, including indicative cost impacts. Perhaps most importantly, we feed lessons from failed results back into future sampling strategies so that recurring problem materials are identified and managed earlier on the next project.