Contaminated soil is heated in a rotating dryer causing the destruction of the contaminants. Treated material then enters a soil conditioner (called a pugmill) where water and residual contaminated materials, such as sludges, are mixed to cool and rehydrate the material. Finally, the cooled soil is stockpiled, sampled, and tested by an independent certified laboratory to ensure effective treatment and fulfillment of reuse standards. This method is primarily used to treat soil with high levels of contaminants, such as MGP soil. Materials treated through thermal desorption are either beneficially re-used as fill material or disposed as landfill cover.