Precision. Integrity. Confidence.

PFAS investigation and management start with one essential step—collecting accurate, defensible data.
At NV5, we understand that high-quality sampling is the cornerstone of every PFAS project. Our process is built on meticulous planning, field discipline, and advanced analytical methods that meet or exceed federal and state regulatory expectations. From industrial sites and military installations to municipal systems and natural waterways, NV5 delivers sampling programs that transform complexity into clarity.

Planning & Design: Tailored for Every Site

Before a single sample is collected, our specialists develop a customized Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) and Conceptual Site Model (CSM) to guide the investigation. Each plan is rooted in site-specific conditions—hydrogeology, land use, potential sources, and exposure pathways—and is aligned with project goals and data quality objectives.

We use geospatial modeling, hydrogeologic mapping, and risk-based prioritization to select sampling locations that maximize data value while minimizing cost. This upfront precision ensures that every sample collected contributes directly to understanding PFAS distribution, transport, and potential risk.

Fieldwork Execution: Rigor in Every Detail

Field execution is where precision meets performance. NV5’s sampling teams are trained in PFAS-free best practices and follow strict contamination-prevention procedures throughout each step of the process. We select sampling materials, containers, and equipment specifically verified as PFAS-free, and maintain clean workspace environments using approved decontamination protocols.

Our procedures are built on EPA and DoD-approved methodologies—including EPA Methods 533, 537.1, and 1633—to ensure consistency and compliance. Samples are collected from diverse environmental media including:

• Groundwater and monitoring wells

• Surface water and stormwater systems

• Wastewater treatment influent and effluent

• Industrial process water and discharge streams

• Soil, sediment, and biosolids

• Air and vapor-phase matrices

Every sample is labeled, documented, and tracked through a rigorous chain-of-custody system to maintain full transparency and traceability from field to lab.

Laboratory Coordination & Analytical Excellence

NV5 partners with accredited analytical laboratories that specialize in ultra-trace PFAS detection and quantification. Our team manages all aspects of lab coordination, from method selection and detection limit verification to QA/QC oversight and data validation.
Depending on project needs, we integrate targeted analysis (for known PFAS compounds) and non-targeted or total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assays to capture broader PFAS signatures.

We also support clients with data interpretation and regulatory comparison, ensuring that analytical results are contextualized against relevant standards such as EPA health advisories, state drinking water limits, and wastewater discharge thresholds.

Quality Assurance and Data Integrity

Quality is non-negotiable. NV5’s PFAS sampling process is guided by our corporate Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) and built to satisfy regulatory and litigation-grade standards.
Our teams perform ongoing data validation and precision checks to identify and resolve any anomalies before reporting. Each dataset is reviewed by senior scientists and project managers to ensure accuracy, reproducibility, and defensibility.

Results You Can Act On

The value of our sampling process extends beyond data collection—it’s about turning results into actionable insights.
NV5 translates raw analytical data into clear findings and visualizations that inform risk assessments, treatment design, and long-term management strategies. Whether you’re seeking to confirm compliance, support remediation, or build a defensible position in litigation, our sampling process gives you a foundation of certainty and confidence.

Why Clients Choose NV5 for PFAS Sampling

• PFAS-Free Protocols: Every aspect of our field process minimizes contamination potential.

• Regulatory Alignment: Our methods are compliant with EPA, DoD, and state-level PFAS sampling guidance.

• Multimedia Expertise: Proven experience across water, wastewater, soil, sediment, and air matrices.

• Validated Laboratories: Partnerships with leading analytical labs specializing in trace-level PFAS detection.

• Actionable Reporting: Results are presented clearly, with interpretive summaries and decision-ready visuals.

7 Reasons to Test for PFAS