OSE Soils Evaluation & Conventional Septic System Design
A homeowner near Rixeyville Road in Culpeper County, Virginia, recently reached out to soil consultant Barry Hadley for an expert evaluation of their drain field. Facing the prospect of selling their property, the owners needed to ensure that their septic system, including the drainfield, was in top-notch condition. A third-party inspection revealed some malfunctions that required immediate attention.
The existing septic system, compromised by poor functionality and its position in a broad swale landscape, was deemed inadequate and in need of replacement. Barry Hadley came up with a design for a new gravity-fed trench system that complied with all necessary regulations and Good Management Practices (GMPs) set by the Virginia Department of Health. A crucial part of this plan involved conducting a soils evaluation to identify key characteristics such as the depth to rock, presence of grey mottles, and the estimated percolation rate. These factors were essential in determining the square footage needed for the system’s lateral lines.
To save the homeowner both time and money, Barry opted to review auger borings rather than resorting to more invasive and costly methods like bringing in a backhoe. Fortunately, the soil conditions proved to be favorable, with profiles completed based on five-foot-deep auger borings showing very good results.
The culmination of this process was the submission of a comprehensive Virginia Department of Health (VDH) construction permit packet. This included the site and soil evaluation report, detailed soil descriptions, the permit form, design calculations, system specifications, a site sketch, and a sanitary survey. The Culpeper County Environmental Health Department issued the construction permit following our detailed submission, paving the way for the new septic system installation.
This case underscores the importance of due diligence and expert consultation when dealing with property sales and septic systems. With Barry Hadley’s expertise, the homeowners were able to navigate the complexities of health regulations and soil assessments, ensuring a smooth transition towards the sale of their property.
