Abstract: A system for characterizing contamination levels of a selected site uses a base station for the collection of data and generating waste site characterization and remediation needs reports. An on-site station is provided to detect the contamination levels at selected points within the site and transmit this data to the base station. The on-site station also includes a transceiver which relays information to the base station from the Global Positioning System satellite constellation which pertains to the precise location of the on-site station within the site to be characterized. The base station may also have a specific transceiver which is in communication with the Global Positioning System satellite constellation for determining the precise topographical position of the base station and for correlating this data with the topographical position of the on-site station to refine the latter.