Ford County Planning, Zoning and Environmental Health
                           100 Gunsmoke
                           Dodge City, Kansas 67801
                           (620) 227-4739 Phone / (620) 227-4717 Fax / mshriwise@fordcounty.net
_______________________________________________________________________________

Completing a Percolation Test

 

    1.       Determine proposed site of absorption field.
    2.       Dig or bore 6 holes 36" deep with a diameter of 8".
    3.       Scratch the sides of the holes to eliminate sealed soil surfaces and remove loose material from hole.
    4.       Place 2" of washed gravel in the bottom of the hole.
    5.       Carefully add 12-14" of water. Using a water hose will prevent soil washing down the sides of the hole.
    6.       Maintain the water level for at least 24 hours to allow swelling to occur.
    7.       After the full 24 hours has passed and the soil has been saturated, adjust the water septh to approximately
            8" over the gravel and begin measuring.
    8.       Measure the drop of water in 30 minute intervals a minimum of 8 times. If the water level in the hole drops
            too rapidly, it will be necessary to reduce the time interval for measurement. If the water drops more than
            2-3" in 30 minutes, it will be necessary to add water to the hole after each reading until it is the same depth
            as recorded initially.
    9.       Record measurements on the chart below and submit these results with the completed application and
            drawing of the site to the Ford County Planning, Zoning and Environmental Health Department at the
            address listed above

 

Hole No.
30 Min.
30 Min.
30 Min.
30 Min.
30 Min.
30 Min.
30 Min.
30 Min.
1
2
3
4
5
6

The percolation rate is determined by averaging the measurements obtained from each hole.

 

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Phone No.: __________________________                       CAMA #: _________________________________