Soil sampling in the Tacoma Smelter Plume

Interested in soil sampling? Check our interactive map first

Your yard may have already been sampled. Many yards in the EPA study area and the Yard Program service area were already sampled. If your home is in one of those areas, go to our interactive map to find sampling data and information on soil replacement.

The Yard Program sampling and cleanup program

The Yard Program provides free soil sampling and cleanup for residential yards in the most contaminated areas of the Tacoma Smelter Plume. If your property is in the Yard Program service area, your yard may have already been sampled. To find out if there is existing soil sampling data for your property go to our public database, Dirt Alert.

If your property is within the Yard Program service area and we do not have existing soil sampling data for your property, sign up for soil sampling by contacting Tacoma Pierce County Public Health Department or Ecology. We do not offer soil sampling inside the EPA study area.

Home soil testing program (outside of the Yard Program service area)

This outreach program is for homes outside of the Yard Program service area, but still in an area likely to have contamination. We sample areas in your yard that you are most concerned about — gardens, child play-areas, and places where dogs are. Sampling is for educational purposes only and will not qualify your property for cleanup.

Pierce County residents

Search for your property on the Dirt Alert map. If a message appears asking if you're interested in soil sampling through the Home Soil Testing Program, fill out a sampling access form and email it to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department at DirtAlert@tpchd.org. Questions? Call Chris Matter at 253-649-1853.

King County residents

We offer home soil testing to property owners on Vashon-Maury Island. You can also search for your property on the Dirt Alert map. If a message appears asking if you're interested in soil sampling through the Home Soil Testing Program, fill out a sampling access form and email it to Public Health-Seattle & King County at dirtalert@kingcounty.gov. Questions? Call Leslie Jimenez at 206-477-DIRT (3478).

Take your own soil samples

Are you outside of both the home soil testing and Yard Program service areas?

• Take your own samples using our soil sampling guidance.
• You can take your own soil samples if you live outside of the Yard Program and home soil testing program areas. Ecology’s soil sampling brochures explain how you can take soil samples using tools found around the home. Samples cost around $30-40 to analyze at a certified lab, for both arsenic and lead.

If you are building a home or developing a property

We recommend sampling soils before beginning your project. For more information, read about technical assistance or contact Diana Ison at 360-999-9593.