ASTM D5879-95(2003)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Surface Site Characterization for On-Site Septic Systems
Standard Practice for Surface Site Characterization for On-Site Septic Systems
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This practice should be used as the initial step for evaluating a site for its potential to support an on-site septic system and to determine the best location for subsurface observations as covered in Practice D 5921.
This practice should be used by individuals involved with the evaluation of properties for the use of on-site septic systems. Such individuals may be required to be licensed, certified, or meet minimum educational requirements by the local or state regulatory authority. Generally, such individuals should be familiar with the appropriate regulatory requirements governing the design and placement of on-site septic systems for the area of the site being investigated, and at least some experience or training in geomorphology, soils, geology, and hydrology.3
This practice is one step in the design of an on-site septic system that also includes subsurface characterization, see Practice D 5921, staking and protection of the soil absorption or constructed filter bed area, see Practice D 5925, selection of system type, and design of the system size and configuration. Typically, the same individual will perform the surface and subsurface characterization of a site. Local regulation and practice will determine whether the same individual is responsible for all steps in the process of locating and designing an on-site septic system. Effective surface and subsurface characterization of a site for on-site septic systems, however, requires some knowledge of the following for the county or state in which the site is located: (1) on-site septic system types typically used for different soil conditions, and (2) typical soil absorption/filter bed areas required for different wastewater flow rates and areal soil wastewater loading rates.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the characterization of surface conditions at a site for evaluating suitability for an on-site septic system for disposal and treatment of wastewater. This practice provides a method for identifying potentially suitable areas for soil absorption of septic tank wastewater.
1.2 This practice can be used at any site where on-site treatment of residential and nonhazardous commercial wastewaters using septic tanks and natural soils or constructed filter beds is required or an option under consideration. This practice may also be useful when constructed wetlands are used as an alternative wastewater treatment method.
1.3 This practice should be used in conjunction with Practices D 5921 and D 5925.
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word "Standard" in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation:D5879–95 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Practice for
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Surface Site Characterization for On-Site Septic Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5879; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the characterization 3.1 clinometer, n—an instrument for measuring inclination,
of surface conditions at a site for evaluating suitability for an as in topographic slope.
on-site septic system for disposal and treatment of wastewater. 3.2 constructed filter bed, n—a material, usually of a sandy
This practice provides a method for identifying potentially texture, placed above or in an excavated portion of the natural
suitable areas for soil absorption of septic tank wastewater. soil for filtration and purification of wastewater from an on-site
1.2 This practice can be used at any site where on-site septic system.
treatment of residential and nonhazardous commercial waste- 3.3 on-site septic system, n—any wastewater treatment and
waters using septic tanks and natural soils or constructed filter disposal system that uses a septic tank or functionally equiva-
beds is required or an option under consideration.This practice lent device for collecting waste solids and treats wastewater
may also be useful when constructed wetlands are used as an using natural soils, or constructed filter beds with disposal of
alternative wastewater treatment method. the treated wastewater into the natural soil.
1.3 This practice should be used in conjunction with Prac- 3.4 potentially suitable field area, n—the portions of a site
tices D5921 and D5925D5921D5925. that remain after observable limiting surface features, such as
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing excessive slope, unsuitable landscape position, proximity to
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace water supplies, and applicable setbacks, have been excluded.
education or experience and should be used in conjunction 3.5 recommended field area, n—the portion of the poten-
withprofessionaljudgment.Notallaspectsofthispracticemay tially suitable field area at a site that has been determined to be
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not most suitable for an on-site septic system soil absorption field
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which or filter bed based on surface and subsurface observations.
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, 3.6 soil absorption area, n—an area of natural soil used for
nor should this document be applied without consideration of filtration and purification of wastewater from an on-site septic
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the system.
title of this document means only that the document has been 3.7 soil absorption field area, n—an area that includes soil
approved through the ASTM consensus process. absorption trenches and any soil barriers between the trenches.
Also called a leachfield.
2. Referenced Documents
3.8 soil absorption trench, n—an excavated trench, usually
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.5 to 3 ft wide that receives wastewater for treatment. Also
D5921 Practice for Subsurface Site Characterization ofTest called a lateral or leachline.
Pits for On-Site Septic Systems
4. Summary of Practice
D5925 Practice for Preliminary Sizing and Delineation of
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Soil Absorption Field Areas for On-Site Septic Systems 4.1 This practice describes a procedure using existing infor-
mation about a site, simple field equipment, and visual obser-
vation for identifying and evaluating all significant conditions
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at the surface of a site, including climate, vegetation, topogra-
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and phy, surface drainage, water sources, and human influences
Subsurface Characterization.
(structures, property lines), that may affect the suitability for
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1995. Published February 1996. DOI:
design and construction of an on-site septic system. The
10.1520/D5879-95R03.
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procedure involves exclusion of areas that are unsuitable for
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
natural soil absorption or constructed filter beds as a result of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
topography, landscape position, and proximity to surface
the ASTM website.
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drainage, w
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