What is the purpose of a percolation test?

The primary purpose of a percolation test is to determine the soil's absorption capacity for sewage disposal. This test assesses how well and how quickly water can move through the soil, which is critical for the design and installation of a septic system. Proper soil absorption is vital to ensure that wastewater is adequately treated and does not contaminate groundwater or cause surface runoff.

In the context of septic systems, the results of the percolation test guide the sizing and placement of the drain field, which ultimately affects the system’s functionality and environmental safety. If the soil does not absorb water efficiently, it may indicate that alternative waste disposal methods need to be considered.

While soil pollution levels, groundwater contamination, and soil texture are significant factors in environmental and construction assessments, they are not the specific focus of percolation tests in septic system installation. The primary metric gathered from these tests is the rate of percolation, which directly influences the design parameters of the sewage disposal system.