looking ahead ... septic/soils question

[JavaMan]

As I look ahead to the next building project at the Ranch, I am confronted with the need for a septic.  According to the county, I can build my own, but it must pass all the usual inspections, etc...

So, I am looking for information about determining what the soils test (perk) results would be.

I know that you dig a hole in the ground (usually a prescribed size) and then fill it with water to a certain depth, wait a period of time, and re-measure.  But there must be a chart someplace that says "if the water drops by 1 inch, then it's this type of soil, and if by N inches, etc..." and what gravity feed will will in what soil

[MushCreek]

In SC, as part of getting the septic permit, I paid for a perk test. Not only did they test it and approve it, but they wrote down all kinds of stuff pertaining to the percolation rate, and they specified the size of the system, and even drew a crude layout of where everything should go. Not bad for a couple hundred bucks!

[JavaMan]

In SC, as part of getting the septic permit, I paid for a perk test. Not only did they test it and approve it, but they wrote down all kinds of stuff pertaining to the percolation rate, and they specified the size of the system, and even drew a crude layout of where everything should go. Not bad for a couple hundred bucks!

I guess what I'm really looking to find out is how I can conduct my own soils test so that if one site fails, I can try a different site without having to pay $200 each time.  After all, I have 40 acres within which to find a place to put the field and the reserve.

I figure I'd find a suitable site, then call the county out to do the test (which is part of the permitting process)

[rick91351]

JavaMan we dug a lot of test holes but only paid for the one permit.  Not to shake you up but we have 640 acres and had a heck of a time finding a spot Marty the inspector liked!     (He and I were on a first name bases before it was all over with.)  In fact he ended up choosing the spot after five holes he did not like.  I threw my hands up and told him.  "Okay you tell me where I can build."  He said dryly I can not do that I am the inspector.  I said to him, "Well Marty you have told me every where I can not build.  You are experienced, you tell me where I can."  He said dig another hole over there and pointed to the crest of a little ridge.  We did, it was dry and stayed dry with no subbing.  About a week later we called him back.  He loved the soil at that site - drew out the map, engineered the drain field and signed the paper work.

[JavaMan]

Wow rick! That's a very cool inspector!  Here in my county, they want the hole dug before they come out, and if they have to come out more than twice, it's an additional $80 (I think, it might be $75).... 

And of course, I'm green now.  I'd love 640 acres.  Hopefully you have some trees (densely populated) on that, right? 

I'd love it if I could get the inspector out while the backhoe is there and dig as many holes as he wants.

[rick91351]

Sorry to mislead you that was five holes in like two months until I finely cornered old Marty.  I was very serious, I knew as long as he had been around he would know what was under foot.  I would just call him and tell him he had another hole to look at.  He would call me back with the bad news or drop me a voice mail.  He would juist drop by and do an inspection when he was up that way. 

There is some timber on that property mostly Ponderosa Pine a few firs as well as meadow, sage brush and aspens.  Actually it sort of reminds me of the area you are going to build in.