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Evaluation of the Field Percolation Test and an Alternative Procedure to Test Soil Potential for Disposal of Septic Tank Effluent
Author(s) -
Bouma J.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1971.03615995003500060011x
Subject(s) - effluent , infiltration (hvac) , septic tank , environmental science , hydraulic conductivity , percolation (cognitive psychology) , soil water , soil science , soil test , geotechnical engineering , moisture , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental engineering , geology , materials science , neuroscience , biology , composite material
Four field tests were applied in well drained pedons in Wisconsin. Infiltration rates of the variable‐head percolation test procedure, required by law in many states to test soil suitability for disposal of septic tank effluent, were much higher than hydraulic conductivity ( K ) for saturated soil, measured with the double‐tube method, and more variable. Soil moisture tensions were recorded around operating, partly filled, seepage beds in different soils indicating the occurrence of low flow rates through unsaturated soil, due to crusting at the soil interface of the seepage beds. Measurement of K values in situ , as a function of soil moisture tension, is proposed as a field test to determine soil potential for effluent disposal. A field experiment with dosing of effluent was made to demonstrate that system management will determine which K values from the measured range will apply to the flow system at any given time.