Who Performs A Perc Test

The local health or environmental department usually manages perc testing. If you’re uncertain about who to contact, the town’s building inspection department can guide you. They might also have a list of certified testers available.

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Understanding Perc Tests

Perc Test Laws & Regulations

How Much Does a Perc Test Cost?

• Average Cost for a Perc Test by Land Size
• Perc Test Cost by Hole Size
• Additional Costs and Considerations
• When is the best time to do a Perc test?

Why is Perc Testing Important?

What is a Percolation Test Report?

• Failed Perc Test
• Failed Perc Test Alternatives

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The qualifications for soil testers depend on local regulations and can include licensed septic system designers, soil engineers, or specialized soil testing companies. In some areas, the test must be conducted or supervised by a government official.

Many towns have several licensed septic system designers who are knowledgeable about local soil conditions, septic system regulations, and the relevant enforcement authorities. A seasoned professional familiar with the area can effectively assist you through the testing and approval process, which might offer some degree of flexibility.

The approval process can be straightforward if all conditions are met but can become complicated if your site does not meet the criteria for a conventional system. The test results are also used to determine the appropriate size for the drain field.

A site may fail in the event that the soil has poor water absorption rates, either too slow or, in rare cases, too fast, or if the seasonal water table is too high. Additionally, there should be sufficient clearance from ledge, hardpan, or other impermeable layers. Even if a conventional septic system is not viable, an alternative system might still be an option.

Understanding Perc Tests

In essence, a perc test evaluates how efficiently the soil can absorb moisture. Precisely, it measures the time required for the soil to drain a given amount of water. Perc tests are crucial for properties utilizing septic systems, as they help determine the most suitable locations for installing key components such as drains, leach fields, or other septic system elements.

The results of a perc test ensure that the septic system functions properly by preventing potential issues like waterlogging or system failure. Trained professionals with expertise in septic system design or land surveying typically conduct these tests. Their specialized knowledge ensures that the tests are performed accurately and that the recommendations provided are reliable and in compliance with local regulations.

Having information on a perc test would be quite resourceful for any future developments of the property, as well as gardening or landscaping schemes. Knowledge of the land's drainage capacity, in other words, is essential for a property owner to know the recommended places for vegetation, drainage systems, and other garden developments. This proactive approach may save money and time by heading off potential problems before they become real problems and, in general, contribute to the long-term sustainability and usability of the property.

Perc Test Laws & Regulations

When scheduling a perc test, it's essential to be aware that the rules vary depending on where you are having the test performed. Therefore, consult with your county's health department to know whether there are any laws or restrictions that could apply to the septic installation process or the perc testing.

For example, some counties may require the perc test to be witnessed by an official from the health department. Besides, it calls for aligning the available times for both the tester and the representative of the health department, while the dates available for the same test are few.

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Other places may require you to have the test done by a "licensed soil professional," or you may need to make a selection from the pre-approved testers list. Another case is where the county has laws in place specifying how many tests can be issued in the given time frame and how many tests are required to be repeated to make sure that your soil's drainage capabilities are good in the long term. In most cases, perc tests need to be done again every 2 to 5 years, but this will vary and may be increased significantly based on the county.

How Much Does a Perc Test Cost?

The cost of a perc test can vary significantly, often depending on the municipality or county. On average, labor costs for a standard perc test range from $100 to $200 per hour. However, in some areas, specialists might charge a flat fee of around $300 for the entire test.

The overall cost of a perc test is influenced by the time required to complete it. For undeveloped sites, the test might take between one and three hours. However, sites needing septic system replacements could require more time. In some cases, particularly complex tests can cost as much as $750 or more.

Average Cost for a Perc Test by Land Size

When conducting a percolation test, digging more holes helps the specialist make more accurate predictions about the soil's percolation rate. Typically, at least two holes are dug for most tests, with about 40 feet of spacing between them.

Here's a breakdown of the average perc test costs based on land size:

• 0.25 acres: $150 - $250
• 0.5 acres: $300 - $500
• 0.75 acres: $450 - $750
• 1 acre: $600 - $900
• 2 acres: $900 - $1,400
• 5 acres: $1,100 - $2,000

Generally, the larger the land area being surveyed, the more holes need to be dug, which increases the labor costs for the perc test.

Perc Test Cost by Hole Size

The size of the holes required for a perc test can really influence the overall cost. Test holes are typically 2–3 feet deep, but some can be as deep as 6 feet. Their width starts from about 6 inches but can increase manifold to almost 3 feet in diameter.

There is an additional rule of thumb that states that the cost escalates by $100 to $150 each time the oil is deeper or broader by a foot. For instance, a 2 ft deep hole may require $200, while deepening the hole to 3 ft may cost you $300, and this pattern continues. In addition to accessibility, it can be said that the type of soil and site conditions can be pretty challenging. For instance, the cost of labor will be higher when it involves proceeding with the dig into sharply compacted or rocky material. The expenses also depend on access to the testing site and whether a lot of tools or machinery is required to reach the site or prepare it.

That is all to help the landowner appropriately gear up to budget for the cost of a perc test and that of a septic system installation or the development of land.

Additional Costs and Considerations

Depending on the specifics of your land, you may encounter extra costs and considerations when performing a perc test, including:

• Permit Fees: Though generally not required for percolation tests, some areas may have specific permit requirements.
• Technician Fees: If your county mandates a certified technician, their fees will add to the cost.
• Septic Planning Fees: Expenses associated with the planning and design of the septic system.
• Location Costs: Tests conducted on rugged terrain, such as slopes or slippery soil, can lead to higher labor costs.
• Lab Testing: Additional costs for laboratory analysis of soil to check for specific minerals or drainage properties.
• Extra Testing or Packages: Additional tests or comprehensive testing packages may be necessary to complete the perc test.

These factors can significantly influence the overall cost and complexity of your perc test.

When is the best time to do a Perc Test?

Perc tests are ideally done in the driest time of the year, which usually is late summer or early winter. Ideally, by doing this, the water table should be at its lowest, and dry soil should take in water much more quickly. On the other hand, frozen soil takes in very little water, and soil that has recently taken on rain or melting usually shows poor percolation rates.

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If you find yourself in need of doing a perc test during cold weather, then keep in mind some of these critical points for cold-weather excavation, like digging beneath the frost line.

Why is Perc Testing Important?

Perc tests are crucial for land that lacks a connection to a municipal sewage system. Such land requires a septic system before any construction can commence. Most county health departments, including those in the Auburn area and throughout the US, mandate a perc test to confirm if a septic system is viable. Therefore, these tests are more prevalent in rural regions.

If a property without access to a public sewage system fails its perc test, installing a septic system may not be an option. Without a septic system or a sewer connection, building a home on the property is not possible.

What is a Percolation Test Report?

In simple and short terms, a percolation test report documents the percolation rate of soil and is a requirement in the planning or renovation of the septic system. These are reports that must be submitted to the local department of health, which also becomes part of the public record in most case scenarios.

The basic format of a perc test report will consist of the date of the test, the name of the tester who conducted the test, and explanations announcing the details of the results and the performing conditions. Usually, such reports are very concise and specific, often taking only one to two pages of a standard typewritten paper format. When you are receiving your test, your percolation rate should not be extremely low or far beyond the range of 1 to 30 minutes per inch of material. If it is in range, then you are ready to go for the septic system installation.

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Perc Test Failure

A percolation test report records the soil percolation rate, which is required in the design or onsite repairs of an OWTS. A percolation test report shall be filed with the local health department and shall be a public record. Perc test reports are usually simple and to the point, generally only one or two pages long. These reports will typically have the date the test was conducted, the technician's name, the results of the test, and the test conditions. To feed your test results back to you, a percolation rate between 1-30 minutes per inch of soil is ideal for the installation of septic systems.

Failed Perc Test Alternatives

If the soil on your property fails a perc test, don't worry—you still have several options, and the soil might not be completely unusable. First, you can seek a second opinion by ordering another test or consulting with a local health department representative.

They may have records of previous tests that can provide insights into how the water table has changed over time. Sometimes, a failed perc test might be due to testing in the wrong location.

Consider digging test holes in different areas where the soil content might be more suitable for a septic system. Alternatively, you can dig deeper to place your septic system further underground.

Here are some other options to consider:

• Appeal the results with your local health department.
• Install a treatment system alongside your septic tank.
• Opt for a larger septic tank than initially planned.
• Explore alternative septic systems, such as grazing fields or mound systems.
• Connect your property to municipal water systems.