If your home is not connected to public sewer lines, a private septic system on your property provides wastewater treatment. Soil acts as a natural filter in the septic process, and the ground requires the correct composition for your system to work properly. Here’s how soil conditions impact the viability and effectiveness of your sewage treatment system.  

Can a Septic System Contaminate Soil? 

Wastewater and sewage from your home flow into a separate septic tank, usually located in the backyard. There, the heavier solid waste is treated with chemicals and separated from lighter solids and the liquid wastewater called effluent. Effluent eventually reaches the drain field and filters through the soil on a property. Pollutants and residue in the effluent, such as chemicals from household cleaning fluids or medications, can contaminate the soil. Other contaminants from septic tanks include treatment chemicals such as nitrates and chlorides that taint soil and drinking water.   

How Is Soil Evaluated for Viability?

A soil evaluation determines whether the material is viable for supporting a septic system effectively. To evaluate viability, the inspector examines the high water table and layers within the soil, looking for conditions that restrict system operation. These conditions include loose or sandy soils that allow water to permeate quickly, dense soils that delay permeability, and bedrock, that can block water flow.    

The evaluation takes into account the soil’s mineral content and organic composition. The analyst classifies elements including drainage, which measures how moist soil is before it is modified, and its consistency, which is the ease of which someone can crush the soil between the forefinger and thumb. Generally, it takes longer for water to permeate overly moist or firm soil, which affects the ability to filter wastewater and its materials.   

After evaluating the soil, you need excavating services to install a septic system on your property. Based in Stuarts Draft, VA, the team at H.C. Eavers & Sons Excavating has over 50 years of experience in excavating large and small areas. As a state-certified Responsible Land Distributor, they complete each customer’s job with excellence and professionalism. For a free estimate and consultation, call (540) 337-1286. To learn more or view the full list of services, visit them online.