How to do a soil percolation test in my backyard?

Question

Need the percolation rate of the soil in my yard for a pool permit. How can I come up with this #?

Answer 1

Usually the pool company will do this for you. However you can do your own, the problem will be if the regulating agency will allow a homeowner test.

This is for septic sytems, but the procedure is the same, just less extensive.

http://www.dupagehealth.org/ehs/ws/perc.asp

Answer 2

What is a Percolation (Perc) Test and Why is one Performed? Basically, a perc test is a hole dug or bored into the ground into which water is poured then measured and timed to determine how rapidly it will be absorbed into the soil, much the same way that water percolates through coffee grounds in a coffee maker. The test is performed to determine if a proposed building lot is capable of supporting an on-site sewage disposal (septic) system. A perc test indicates if the ground will absorb the water required for a septic system ... and how fast the water will be absorbed. The absorption rate is used along with the size of the proposed house to determine the amount of septic drain field that will be required. What is a Water Table Test? The water table test is simply a hole dug at the lowest elevation of the proposed septic area for the purpose of determining the depth to free ground water. This ground water level must be established to ensure that there is adequate separation between the septic system and the water table. How is a Perc Test Done? Generally, the water table test is performed first, and a hole is dug to the depth of the water table or to the limits of the machinery, whichever comes first. After that, the perc holes are dug at the depth of the most permeable soils that are a minimum of four feet above the water table. For example, if the water table is encountered at 15 feet, the perc tests could be performed at anywhere between 2 feet and 11 feet deep, depending on the location of the "best" percing soils. What is a Good Perc Location? When choosing a perc location, you should look for an area that is on higher ground with good natural drainage. Ideally, the area should be close to the proposed house site, but lower in elevation. An area of no less than 100 x 100 feet is required. The area should also be free of steep slopes, creek beds, drainage swales, etc.

Answer 3

Dig a hole
Dump water in hole and time how long it takes to drain away.

Answer 4

You can always go to http://www.1800topsoil.com to see if they have a local pro servicing your area. They're national.