Don’t start digging before you get the results
A perc test analyzes the rate of soil absorption in minutes per inch (MPI).
Anywhere from 5 MPI to 60 MPI is ideal for a traditional septic system.
You often have to get a perc test before beginning any kind of septic installation.
If your soil fails a perc test, you can get a second opinion. However, you may have to look at alternative options, like a larger septic tank or an additional waste treatment method.
Even if you’re an experienced DIYer, adding a septic system to a property is a job best left to experienced professionals. But even they can’t just start digging in your backyard right away. Aside from permits, they will need the results of a percolation test—often known simply as a perc test—to determine whether the soil is ready to have such a large and important system installed. Here’s what you need to know about a perc test for septic tank installation.
So, what is a perc test for septic systems? A perc test measures the absorption rate of the soil in the proposed location of the new septic tank. Perc tests involve digging holes into the soil and filling them with water to see how much time it takes for the water to drain into the surrounding soil. The holes are 6 to 12 inches wide and 2 or 3 feet deep—the size of the absorption trenches that will be in the drain field.
When a septic tank receives wastewater from the home, the solid waste sinks to the bottom. The liquid wastewater that rises to the top is treated and then released into the drain field located next to the septic tank. Here, the organic material is absorbed into the soil. If the soil can’t absorb the organic material at the proper rate, it’s bad news for your septic system.
This is why the perc test is a must before attempting to install a septic tank on any property. Imagine—or rather, don’t imagine—the expensive mess that would result if a septic system was installed in soil that failed a perc test! It’s no wonder, then, that many municipalities require a perc test before any new septic system can be added or an old one replaced.
The average cost for a perc test is about $1,400, though it might range between $750 and $1,850. If you have a large piece of property, it might even soar to $3,000, given the size of the proposed drain field as well as any local building regulations that might affect how and where you install your septic system.
If you’re ready to start the process, the next question you’re probably asking is, “Who does perc tests for septic systems?” For the most reliable results, a perc test should be left in the capable hands of your local septic tank company, local perc test company, or even a land surveyor who is well-versed in building permits in your region.
More complex perc tests are conducted over multiple days and include presoaking the soil and filling the holes partially with gravel before adding water. Then, the tester takes measurements every 15 minutes to every half hour to calculate the rate of percolation—that is, the amount of water put into the hole divided by the time it takes to drain into the soil.
The best time of year to conduct a perc test is when it’s dry, often at the end of summer toward the start of winter. You will want to ensure that the soil’s water table is at a minimum, and it makes sense, of course, that drier soil will absorb water better.
Soil absorption rates will vary from region to region based on the actual composition of the soil. The percolation rate is usually measured in MPIs, or minutes per inch of water drop.
Below 5 MPI: Highly permeable soil. Alternative wastewater treatment systems might be permitted.
5 to 60 MPI: A traditional septic system with a drain field is allowed.
60 to 120 MPI: Low-permeable soil. Alternative wastewater treatment systems might be permitted.
Above 120 MPI: Very low-permeable soil. Enhancements with alternative wastewater treatment systems are allowed only under certain conditions.
Depending on your local building regulations, the max MPI might be anywhere between 30 and 120. It might seem odd that there’s a possibility of water being absorbed too quickly, but when it comes to wastewater, it must be efficiently treated first before it is released into the leach field to be discharged as groundwater.
Even with similar types of soil, property features vary and can affect the perc rate:
Slope: Land doesn’t have to be completely flat to install a septic system, but it should have a grade of no more than 20% to 30%.
Filled land: Native soil is the best option for septic systems, though there are instances where engineered fill lands are deemed acceptable.
Flood zones or wetlands: These areas are known for poor drainage and are not a good fit for septic systems.
Site drainage: If soil is the site of rain or snow runoff, the septic system is at risk of flooding or erosion.
Now that you know the importance of a perc test, you might think that you’re in trouble if the soil on your property fails one. This isn’t necessarily true. Here are some options if you’re dealing with a failed perc test for a septic system:
It never hurts to have a second test done. It also helps to talk to another professional with knowledge of the water table in your area to see what your options are.
If the property is large enough, you can move the septic system to a better location. If not, you might have the option of installing it even deeper in the earth, where the soil has a better rate of absorption.
Provided you are not in a rural or remote area, you might explore the option of connecting to the public sewer system in your area.
To counter a slow perc rate, perhaps you might need a larger septic tank that can hold more waste until it properly seeps into the leach field. Or, you might have to install an additional treatment system to work with your septic tank to ensure proper draining.
This is not an exhaustive list of alternatives should your soil fail a perc test. Be sure to consult with a building professional or your local septic tank company to see what other options you have for treating wastewater on your property.
You can do a perc test yourself if you’re really curious, but you may be wasting time. If you’re planning to have a septic system installed, your local municipality will likely require a professional-led inspection before you can legally start the job.
For a DIY perc test, follow these steps (but remember that your at-home test likely won’t be enough to meet the strict legal requirements for septic installation):
Dig a hole in your yard that’s about 1 foot in diameter and 1 foot deep.
Fill the hole with water a few times to fully saturate it.
Fill the hole up completely with water and mark down the exact time you did so.
Use a measuring tape to see how many inches of water are in the full hole.
Return to the hole after 30 minutes and use your measuring tape to check the water level, writing down the initial fill level beside the fill level after 30 minutes.
Subtract the starting water level from the water level after 30 minutes (make sure your numbers are both in inches).
Divide 30 (for the 30 minutes you waited) by the answer you got after your subtraction above.
After following these steps, you’ll have your minutes per inch rate. Anywhere from 5 MPI to 60 MPI is good percolation for a septic system.
