What are the standard procedures and guidelines for septic system testing?
Soils testing involves two (2) phases:
- Phase I includes a deep soil probe (deep hole(s) dug with a backhoe) where the Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) will evaluate the soils and determine a limiting zone, which may be defined by but is not limited to solid bedrock and indicators of a seasonal high water table. This phase of testing costs $275 plus the cost of backhoe. If this test fails Phase II testing will not be performed. Other items that may fail your lot for further testing include:
- Slopes of 25% or more over most of the lot.
- Inadequate area for a septic system due to proximity of nearby features. These distances (for the absorption area) include but are not limited to:
- Property line, easement or right-of-way: 10 feet
- Occupied buildings, swimming pools and driveways: 10 feet
- Streams, lakes or other surface waters: 50 feet
- Water supply well (includes geothermal wells): 100 feet
- Surface drainageways: 10 feet
- Stormwater seepage beds: 10 feet
- Phase II includes the percolation test, normally six small (6 inches in diameter) holes to a depth of 20 inches, to be performed by the SEO. The holes must be dug by others and access to water provided during the test. This phase of testing costs $350.
If testing fails a letter will be provided to the lot owner indicating it has failed and the reasons for the failure. Likewise, if the testing passes a letter will be provided stating it has passed.