Site Characterization Guidance Document

The Site Characterization Guidance Document (SCGD) has been developed by the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, Remediation Division (DEEP), with support by the Environmental Professionals' Organization of Connecticut (EPOC).

The SCGD describes DEEP's recommendations for the investigation of properties and the suggested content of documentation that presents the facts and findings of site characterization by environmental professionals responsible for designing, conducting, and documenting site investigations and by any parties/persons required by law to conduct an investigation of a property in accordance with prevailing standards and guidelines.

The SCGD promotes a scientific method of inquiry using the conceptual site modeling process to characterize the environmental condition of a site using a multi-phased approach. It is not intended to be a prescriptive manual that describes specific investigative requirements. For this purpose, the SCGD references supplemental, detail-oriented technical guidance.

Site Characterization Guidance Document  

Release Characterization Guidance

On March 1, 2026, the Release Characterization Guidance (RCG) will replace the SCGD. The Release Characterization Guidance will then be housed on the Guidance webpage and this page will be taken down.

The RCG promotes the same scientific method of inquiry as the SCGD, using the conceptual site modeling process to characterize individual releases. It also includes a chapter on site characterization for use with the Property Transfer, the 133y Voluntary Parcel-Wide Cleanup, 133x Voluntary, and Brownfields Programs.  This guidance was developed as part of the release-based regulation development process, which included DEEP, the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Release-Based Working Group, and stakeholders.

 Content Last Updated December 19, 2025