Alabama Administrative Code
Title 420 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
Chapter 420-3-1 - ONSITE SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL
Site Evaluation
Section 420-3-1-.44 - Soil Boring Procedure For Percolation Testing

Universal Citation: AL Admin Code R 420-3-1-.44

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 02, November 27, 2024

(1) A minimum of two soil borings or two observation pits shall be dug from 5 to 15 feet from the anticipated percolation test location in accordance with the following:

(a) Soil borings shall be dug to a minimum depth of 48 inches to determine the restrictive horizon depth, unless prevented by bedrock or an additional 6 inches once ASHES is encountered. The soil boring or observation pit shall be deeper than the intended trench depth by the required MVS. The method by which each test is located shall be specified.

(b) The minimum diameter of soil borings shall be 2.5 inches. Soil material from a boring shall be laid out in a manner consistent with the soil's natural order. Power augers or similar equipment that uses the Archimedes screw principle shall not be used for soil evaluation.

(c) Observation pits are required for Large-Flow Developments. Pits shall be a minimum of 60 inches deep unless prevented by hard bedrock. Pits should be constructed in such a fashion as to be easily accessible for the evaluator. Pits are excluded from an organized layout of the removed soil material.

(d) The depth from the surface to the groundwater or saturated soil shall be reported if encountered.

(e) The depth from the surface to ASHES shall be reported if encountered.

(f) The depth from the surface to any other restrictive layer or horizon shall be identified and reported. See 420-3-1-.42 Soil Restriction Depth and Vertical Separation. If there is uncertainty about whether a feature qualifies as a restrictive layer or horizon, the LHD shall be consulted.

(g) The color(s) and USDA texture classes for each layer shall berecorded. Any other pertinent information about the soil or the site, including percent slope, and landform position shall be reported.
1. Soil colors shall be determined using a Munsell chart or equivalent and reported for each horizon. Soil colors may occur as:

2. Only one color.

3. One dominant color with secondary colors (mottles or redoximorphic features).

4. Several colors with approximate equal coverage (mottled). To the extent possible, all colors should be recorded, with the dominant color first.

(h) The depth from the natural surface to the upper and lower boundaries of each layer shall be reported.

(i) All measurements shall be reported in inches.

Previous Rule .68 was renumbered .44 per certification published December 30, 2022; effective February 13, 2023.

Author: David Gray, Boyd Rogers, Richard Smith

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-2-2(4); 22-2-2(6); 22-10-1, et seq.; 22-26-1et seq.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Alabama may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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