§ 73.14. Site investigation.
(a) Absorption area. Soil tests to determine the presence of a limiting zone and the capacity of the soil to permit the passage of water shall be conducted prior to permit issuance.
(1) On all locations where the installation of an absorption area is proposed, at least one excavation for examination of the soil profile shall be provided.
(2) The depth of the excavation shall be to the top of the limiting zone, or a maximum of 7 feet.
(3) All soil profile excavations shall be conducted within 10 feet of the proposed absorption area. A description of the soil profile shall be recorded on the site investigation and percolation test report form for onlot disposal of sewage issued by the Department.
(4) Where soil has been removed by grading or excavation, the surface of the undisturbed soil shall be considered to be the point from which the depth to limiting zone is measured. Excavatating soil to system installation depth for the purpose of installing the system may not be considered disturbing the soil.
(5) When the examination of the soil profile reveals a limiting zone within 20 inches of the mineral soil surface, percolation tests may not be conducted and a permit will be denied except as provided in § 73.77 (relating to general requirements for bonded disposal systems).
(6) Where examination of the soil profile reveals the absence of a limiting zone within 20 inches of the mineral soil surface, percolation tests shall be performed within the proposed absorption area. The average percolation rate shall be within the range indicated in § 73.16 (relating to absorption area requirements).
(7) The location and depth to the limiting zone of all soil profile excavations and the location of all percolation tests conducted on a lot shall be indicated on the plot plan of the Application for Sewage Disposal System issued by the Department or attached diagram.
(b) Spray field.
(1) Soil tests to determine the presence of a limiting zone shall be conducted prior to permit issuance.
(2) A minimum of 4 soil profile evaluations shall be evenly spaced within 10 feet of the perimeter of the proposed spray field when the spray field is less than or equal to 20,000 square feet.
(3) Spray fields in excess of 20,000 square feet shall be evaluated by evenly spacing the soil profiles within 10 feet of the perimeter of the proposed spray field at intervals of 100 feet or less.
(4) The soil profile information collected within the proposed spray field area shall be considered in the design and permitting of the system. Additional soils profiles, both on the perimeter or within the proposed spray field, may be required when the sewage enforcement officer identifies trends in the soils profiles or surface features which document variable soils conditions in the area of the proposed spray field. These trends include, but are not limited to, unsuitable soil areas mixed with suitable soils within the proposed site and surface features such as rock outcrops, mine subsidence, boreholes and sinkholes.
(5) Soil profiles shall be evaluated to the depth of bedrock, or rock formation or 40 inches whichever is shallower.
(6) When the examination of the soil profile reveals a limiting zone of a seasonal high water table within 10 inches of the mineral soil surface or a limiting zone as indicated by bedrock or coarse fragments with insufficient fine soil to fill voids that are located within 16 inches of the mineral soil surface, a permit for an individual residential spray irrigation system will be denied.
Authority The provisions of this § 73.14 amended under sections 7.2 and 9 of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (35 P. S. § § 750.7b and 750.9); The Clean Streams Act (35 P. S. § § 691.1—691.1001); and section 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 510-20).
Source The provisions of this § 73.14 adopted January 21, 1983, effective January 22, 1983, 13 Pa.B. 508; amended November 1, 1996, effective November 2, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 5347; amended November 7, 1997, effective November 8, 1997, 27 Pa.B. 5877. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (221912) to (221913).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 71.63 (relating to retaining tanks); 25 Pa. Code § 73.12 (relating to site location); and 25 Pa. Code § 73.161 (relating to general).
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