ASTM D5879/D5879M-18
(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
5.1 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 D5921.
5.2 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.
5.3 This practice is one step in the design of an on-site septic system that also includes subsurface characterization, see Practice D5921, staking and protection of the soil absorption or constructed filter bed area, see Practice D5925, 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 Site characterization of surface conditions at a site for evaluating suitability for on-site septic systems requires both simple and complex techniques that may be accomplished by many different procedures and may be variously interpreted. These studies are frequently site specific and are influenced by geological and geographical settings, by the purpose of the site characterization, by design requirements for the project proposed, and by the background, training, and experience of the staff involved.
1.2 This standard is a guide for using the surface site characterization for on-site septic systems method for projects that require on-site sewage disposal. It is intended to improve consistency of practice and to encourage the use of this method as part of a site characterization program. Since the subsurface conditions at a particular site are usually the result of a combination of natural, geologic, topographic, and climatic factors, and of historical modifications both natural and manmade, an adequate and internally consistent use of a method as part of the exploration program will allow evaluation of the results of these influences.
1.3 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.
1.4 This practice should be used in conjunction with Practices D5921 and D5925.
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units given in brackets are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard. Reporting of results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education o...
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5879/D5879M − 18
Standard Practice for
1
Surface Site Characterization for On-Site Septic Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5879/D5879M; 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 results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as noncon-
formance with this standard.
1.1 Site characterization of surface conditions at a site for
evaluating suitability for on-site septic systems requires both 1.6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
simple and complex techniques that may be accomplished by one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
many different procedures and may be variously interpreted. education or experience and should be used in conjunction
These studies are frequently site specific and are influenced by with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may
geological and geographical settings, by the purpose of the site be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
characterization, by design requirements for the project intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
proposed, and by the background, training, and experience of the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
the staff involved. nor should this document be applied without consideration of
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
1.2 This standard is a guide for using the surface site
title of this document means only that the document has been
characterization for on-site septic systems method for projects
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
that require on-site sewage disposal. It is intended to improve
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
consistency of practice and to encourage the use of this method
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
as part of a site characterization program. Since the subsurface
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
conditions at a particular site are usually the result of a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
combination of natural, geologic, topographic, and climatic
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
factors, and of historical modifications both natural and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
manmade, an adequate and internally consistent use of a
method as part of the exploration program will allow evalua-
2. Referenced Documents
tion of the results of these influences.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 This practice can be used at any site where on-site
treatment of residential and nonhazardous commercial waste- D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
Fluids
waters using septic tanks and natural soils or constructed filter
beds is required or an option under consideration.This practice D5921 Practice for Subsurface Site Characterization of Test
Pits for On-Site Septic Systems
may also be useful when constructed wetlands are used as an
alternative wastewater treatment method. D5925 Practice for Preliminary Sizing and Delineation of
Soil Absorption Field Areas for On-Site Septic Systems
1.4 This practice should be used in conjunction with Prac-
3
(Withdrawn 2005)
tices D5921 and D5925.
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
3. Terminology
pound units given in brackets are to be regarded separately as
3.1 Definitions:
standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in this
equivalents;therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependently
standard, refer to Terminology D653.
of the other. Combining values from the two systems may
result in nonconformance with the standard. Reporting of 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subsurface Characterization. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved May 15, 2018. Published June 2018. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D5879 – 95 (2010). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D587
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5879 − 95 (Reapproved 2010) D5879/D5879M − 18
Standard Practice for
1
Surface Site Characterization for On-Site Septic Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5879;D5879/D5879M; 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
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the Site 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.systems requires both simple and complex techniques that may be accomplished
by many different procedures and may be variously interpreted. These studies are frequently site specific and are influenced by
geological and geographical settings, by the purpose of the site characterization, by design requirements for the project proposed,
and by the background, training, and experience of the staff involved.
1.2 This standard is a guide for using the surface site characterization for on-site septic systems method for projects that require
on-site sewage disposal. It is intended to improve consistency of practice and to encourage the use of this method as part of a site
characterization program. Since the subsurface conditions at a particular site are usually the result of a combination of natural,
geologic, topographic, and climatic factors, and of historical modifications both natural and manmade, an adequate and internally
consistent use of a method as part of the exploration program will allow evaluation of the results of these influences.
1.3 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.
1.4 This practice should be used in conjunction with Practices D5921 and D5925.
1.5 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units given in brackets are to be regarded separately as standard.
The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.
Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard. Reporting of results in units other than
SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.6 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.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D5921 Practice for Subsurface Site Characterization of Test Pits for On-Site Septic Systems
1
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 Subsurface
Characterization.
Current edition approved May 1, 2010May 15, 2018. Published September 2010June 2018. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20032010 as
D5879 – 95 (2003).(2010). DOI: 10.1520/D5879-95R10.10.1520/D5879_D5879M-18.
2
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the stan
...
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