What are percolation tests?
On many properties out in the rural country you will often find that there is no city or county water or a sewage system. In these cases it becomes necessary to install your own well for water and a septic system for your sewerage needs. Before you can have a septic system installed you must first have the property inspected by the county health officials. On many tracts, it is merely a formality as a quick visual inspection by the county official will be enough to approve the septic system. In some cases however, a more detailed inspection by a licensed soil engineer is required. This is a percolation test. Percolation tests are tests done on property to determine if it is suitable to hold a septic system. These tests are done to ensure that the soil can absorb water and other liquids quickly enough to leave the surrounding area unpolluted by waste materials.
Percolation tests need to be carried out to ensure that there is sufficient land to take the water away from a septic tank or a similar installation. The tests should be carried out following BS6297: 1983 to determine the size of the effluent drains or soakaways, which should be sited 10 meters from a water course. It may not always be possible to install soakaways. Soil conditions or other factors such as ground water levels may make them inapplicable. In this case you will need to consider some other form of drainage. Before constructing soakaways it is a requirement to obtain a Consent to Discharge” from the Environment Agency. The Councils Building Control department will also advise you on how to perform the percolation test.
– Percolation tests need to be carried out to ensure that there is sufficient land to take the water away from a septic tank or a similar installation. The tests should be carried out following BS6297: 1983 to determine the size of the effluent drains or soakaways, which should be sited 6 meters from a water course. It may not always be possible to install soakaways soil conditions or other factors such as ground water levels may make them inapplicable. In this case you will need to consider some other form of drainage. Before constructing soakaways it is a requirement to obtain ‘Consent to Discharge’ from the Environment Agency. The Council’s Building Control Officer will also advise you on how to perform the percolation test.
Percolation tests need to be carried out to ensure that there is sufficient land to take the water away from a septic tank or a similar installation. The tests should be carried out following BS6297: 1983 to determine the size of the effluent drains or soakaways, which should be sited 6 meters from a water course. It may not always be possible to install soakaways soil conditions or other factors such as ground water levels may make them inapplicable. In this case you will need to consider some other form of drainage. Before constructing soakaways it is a requirement to obtain”Consent to Discharge” from the Environment Agency. The Councils Building Control department will also advise you on how to perform the percolation test.
