Site Evaluation and Field Testing

Introduction

Finding a suitable site and soil is essential to the placement and proper functioning of any on-site system. This chapter is designed to provide informa­tion on determining the proper site and soil for the placement of on-site systems and bas been written specifically for the use of environmental health specialists as a training guide.

  • Section 4.1, Wastewater Treatment in Soils, describes the constituents of wastewater, the chemicals and human pathogens, and how these potentially harmful constituents are treated and absorbed by the soil.

  • Section 4.2, Ground Water, presents an overview of ground water and how ground water can be affected by improperly sited or malfunctioning on-site systems.

  • Section 4.3,SoilsandGeologyo/North Caroli.a, introduces the reader to the different soils and geology of North Carolina and describes how they affect the siting and functioning of on-site systems.

  • Section 4.4, Basic Soil Concepts, presents soil and landscape position con­cepts necessary to conduct a site and soil evaluation. This section then relates these concepts to the placement and functioning of on-site system.

  • Section 4.5, Site and SoilE11aluation Procedures, provides details on how to make a thorough site and soil evaluation. Site evaluation factors and classifica­tions are discussed in detail and the rules for determining the placement of an on­site system are described.

  • Section 4.6, On-Site Wastewater Loading Rates, discusses the importance of calculating the proper on-site wastewater loading rates and then instructs the reader on making the calculations for both conventional, modified, and alternative on-site systems.

  • Section 4. 7, Site Suitability: Matching the Site Characteristics to Appropri­ate Designs, introduces the reader to the Soil Site Evaluation for On-Site Wastewater System form used to permit on-site systems. Six Soil Site Evaluation for On-Site Wastewater System forms, which have been completed, are included to help the reader understand how the forms are used to determine site and soil StJitability for on-site systems.

From the North Carolina Onsite Guidance Manual