All lots for sale for building purposes, which do not have a sewer connection, will have to be approved for a lateral field system. To determine if a system can be installed, a soil evaluation will have to be done. Soil evaluations are different than the commonly referred to perk test. Perk test were used years ago to determine the water absorption rate of a particular soil. This test was inaccurate because seasonal conditions greatly altered the perk rate. A soil evaluation done today examines the soil morphology by looking at the horizons of the soil profile. To do this type of test a large pit has to be excavated so a sidewall view of the soil can be examined. This is why getting approval of a septic field is more complicated, costly and time consuming today.
To obtain a site evaluation on a lot, you must first submit the needed paper work to the Environmental Division of the Health Department. The fee is $100. An application is filled out and an accurate plot of the property must be provided. Once this is completed an appointment will be made for an environmentalist to visit the site and do a full soil evaluation. To do the evaluation, the person having the test done must provided a full size backhoe with an experience operator. This is required to dig the size pits needed to examine the soil profile. At least 3 pits are examined; often more are required.
Things to Know
Appointments are often scheduled two weeks or more after the paper work has been submitted. The appointment may have to be cancelled due to inclement weather. All property lines have to be marked as well as some sideline points if working with a large lot. Once the test is completed you will receive verbal results at the site and a written report several days later. Our department always recommends having a soil evaluation before purchasing the property. Many lots are turned down yearly due to poor soil conditions and site limitations, leaving unsuspecting property owners unable to build.