The fate of pesticides in soils and water depends upon the solubility in water of the material, diffusion, characteristics, adsorptive or exchange properties with respect to the soil or solid matrix, convective movement and other organic material. The solubility in water of p,p'-DDT as well as a number of other chlorinated hydrocarbons has been investigated. The low solubility of DDT in water is believed to be a major factor in minimizing degradation, diffusive movement and movement by mass flow of water regardless of the adsorption. The preparative treatment of DDT prior to analysis was shown to affect the concentration in solutions. (Modified author abstract)