When this service is useful
The right scope depends on your development, site access, ground conditions and the information needed by your project team. This service is commonly used for:
- Stormwater infiltration and absorption systems
- On-site wastewater and effluent disposal assessments
- Granny flats, new dwellings and development applications
- Sites where a hydraulic engineer, wastewater consultant or council requests field infiltration data
Infiltration and on-site wastewater field testing
Percolation or infiltration testing assesses the behaviour of water entering the ground at selected locations and depths. The required method depends on whether the information is intended for an on-site domestic wastewater system, stormwater infiltration, effluent disposal area or another agreed design purpose.
Soil texture, existing fill, shallow rock, seasonal moisture, perched water, groundwater and available disposal area can influence the suitability of a proposed system. Results should be interpreted within the agreed site and test limitations, not treated as a universal approval.
Important project and ground considerations
- Proposed disposal or infiltration-system layout and required test depth
- Representative soil profile and potential shallow rock or groundwater
- Relevant designer criteria and approval authority requirements
- Clear limitations for the wastewater, hydraulic or civil designer
What the assessment can include
- Review of the proposed system, site plan and authority requirements
- Selection and preparation of representative test locations
- Field testing at agreed depths using an appropriate test method
- Logging of soil profile, groundwater or refusal conditions encountered
- Interpretation of measured infiltration behaviour and site limitations
What you receive
- Test locations, depths and field methodology
- Recorded observations and calculated test results
- Relevant soil and groundwater observations
- Clear limitations for use by the system designer or approval team
What to provide for your quotation
The clearest quote starts with enough information to understand your actual project, site constraints and required deliverables.
- Site address and proposed wastewater or stormwater system location
- Available plans, site levels and proposed disposal area
- Exact testing method or criteria requested by the project designer
- Any site-specific council or approval authority correspondence
Percolation & On-Site Wastewater Testing across Sydney and NSW
Percolation and infiltration testing may be relevant to suitable properties in Macarthur, Camden, Wollondilly, Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong/Illawarra and surrounding NSW service areas. Ground conditions and approval requirements must always be considered site by site.