Non-contaminated soil, also referred to as clean-fill, is soil free of chemicals, oils, fuel, heavy metals and any constituent that would designate the soil as a hazardous waste or cause the soil to come under regulation requiring special handling or disposal. Loads of non-contaminated soil may be mixed with regular refuse, weeds, branches, or other inert waste.

Riverside County Landfills

Riverside County landfills accept non-contaminated soil/clean-fill.

• Loads of clean-fill 20 tons or less are accepted and do not require pre-approval. These small loads of soil are subject to inspection for contamination by onsite Hazardous Waste Inspectors.
• Waste loads of non-contaminated soil/clean-fill greater than 20 tons require prior notification and approval. Notification must be made by calling (951) 486-3200 at least 24 hours in advance of the desired delivery date and may require the completion of a waste profile sheet certifying under penalty of perjury that the soil is non-contaminated.

Locations & hours

Fee schedule:  Disposal of non-contaminated soil/clean-fill is charged at routine refuse rate. For this reason, contractors and residents should seek alternative reuse locations first.

Contaminated soil is soil with the presence of chemicals, oils, fuel, heavy metals and any constituent that may designate the soil as a hazardous waste or cause the soil to come under regulation requiring special handling or disposal. This type of contamination typically occurs from leaking aboveground and underground fuel storage tanks, contamination from motor oils and chemicals including petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, acids, lead, and other heavy metals.

It is the generator's (owner’s) responsibility to determine correctly whether their waste is hazardous. Before considering disposal of soil at a Riverside County landfill, the generator should consider the history of the property from which the soil is being removed. The soil may be hazardous if:

• The property was once used for automotive servicing or storage. The soil may be contaminated with hydrocarbons and other regulated material including gasoline, methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE), diesel, oils and grease.
• The property was once used for agricultural/farming. The soil may be contaminated with hydrocarbons including gas, diesel, grease and pesticides and heavy metals.
• The property was once used for manufacturing or other industrial uses.

Riverside County Landfills

Riverside County landfills do not take contaminated soils when the contamination levels are above regulatory threshold limitations as established in Local, State, and Federal law, or as determined by the Department. Disposing of soil at a Riverside County landfill which is contaminated with regulated petroleum hydrocarbons (oil, gas, diesel and grease) organic and inorganic compounds, heavy metals, pesticides and other restricted material at or above regulatory threshold limits is a crime.

Contaminated soil with contamination below the threshold limits may be accepted at the Riverside County landfills on a case-by-case basis once approved through the Department's Soil Waste Acceptance Program (SWAP). The Department's SWAP can be obtained by calling (951) 486-3200 or click HERE. The SWAP includes the acceptance criteria to help customers properly classify their waste and obtain approval for the use of a County Landfill if the waste is deemed acceptable.

Charge for disposal of contaminated soil will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the levels of contaminants.

Soil Treatment and Disposal Locations

Customers may seek treatment and disposal services. Contact the following companies regarding their services. Additional hazardous waste removal service providers may be found at http://www.thebluebook.com/cl/all2363.htm.

Contaminated Soil Testing

Laboratory testing service providers may be found on the State Water Board’s website at www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/labs/index.shtml.