Q: Can you tell me the best way to find a professional to do a perc test? Who is allowed to perform the test? — R. M.
A: Before proceeding, check with your local jurisdiction (city/town/county) about the requirements for performing a perc test in your area:
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- Who can perform the test?
- What time of year is testing allowed?
- How many test holes are required?
- What specific procedures must be followed?
- What documentation is needed?
- Is a deep-hole test (to view soil profiles) also required?
Often the local health department or environmental department is in charge of perc testing. If you’re not sure, contact the town’s department of building inspection and they can point you in the right direction. They might also be able to provide you with a list of names of certified testers.
Depending on local regulations, soil testers might be licensed septic system designers, soil engineers, or a soil testing company. In some areas, the test must be performed or witnessed by a government agent.
Most towns have at least a few licensed septic system designers who are well acquainted with local soil types, septic system regulations, and the people who enforce them. A seasoned professional in the local area is in the best position to guide you through the testing and approval process. There may be a little wiggle room.
Approval can range from from simple and straightforward if all goes well to very complex if your site does not qualify for a conventional system. The test results also guide the sizing of the drain field.
A site can fail if the soil absorbs water too slowly (or less commonly, too quickly) or if the seasonal water table is too high. There must also be adequate clearance to ledge, hardpan, or other impermeable soil. If the site does not qualify for a conventional septic system, it may still be possible to install an alternative system.
— Steve Bliss, Editor, BuildingAdvisor.com
Read more on Perc Testing
See Also:
Are Alternative Systems Allowed?
Chamber System Failure
How Much Slope For Septic Line?
Inspecting a Septic System
Lifespan of Septic System’
Minimum Lot Size For Septic System
Perc Test Cost
Perc Test: Best Time of Year?
Replacing Failed Drain Field in Same Location
Retesting a Site That Failed to Perc
Sand Filter for Existing System
Testing an Existing Septic System
Testing for a New Septic System
Wet Sites, Septic Systems For
Who Performs Perc Test?
View all SEPTIC SYSTEM articles
John says
How Do I Locate A Septic System Designer?
Can you direct us to a licensed professional septic system designer/installer for Calvert County,Maryland? We have a one acre lot in the Chesapeake Bay protected area riverfront. We have had multiple perc tests and it does perc but they want 3 together for a mound system. We have only had 2 together. So, we have to look at alternatives. Drip system? Searched the web for companies that serve my area without luck. Please help! Thank you
buildingadvisor says
Maryland has some of the toughest septic system regulations in the US. I’m in northern New England, so are not familiar with contractors in your area. Sometimes the local health or environmental department (or whoever oversees septic system permitting in your area) keeps a list of licensed designers and installers in the area.
If you cannot find any leads on the web, I would try old-fashioned networking. Start with health department and building inspector. Do you know a real estate agent in the area. They probably have some names? An excavator? New home builder? Neighbors with septic systems? Septic maintenance and pumping companies usually the designers as well.