ASTM D5879-95(2010)
(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 D5921.
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.
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 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 D5921 and D5925.
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 2010)
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 D5925 Practice for Preliminary Sizing and Delineation of
Soil Absorption Field Areas for On-Site Septic Systems
1.1 This practice covers procedures for the characterization
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(Withdrawn 2005)
of surface conditions at a site for evaluating suitability for an
on-site septic system for disposal and treatment of wastewater.
3. Terminology
This practice provides a method for identifying potentially
3.1 clinometer, n—an instrument for measuring inclination,
suitable areas for soil absorption of septic tank wastewater.
as in topographic slope.
1.2 This practice can be used at any site where on-site
3.2 constructed filter bed, n—a material, usually of a sandy
treatment of residential and nonhazardous commercial waste-
texture, placed above or in an excavated portion of the natural
waters using septic tanks and natural soils or constructed filter
soil for filtration and purification of wastewater from an on-site
beds is required or an option under consideration.This practice
septic system.
may also be useful when constructed wetlands are used as an
3.3 on-site septic system, n—any wastewater treatment and
alternative wastewater treatment method.
disposal system that uses a septic tank or functionally equiva-
lent device for collecting waste solids and treats wastewater
1.3 This practice should be used in conjunction with Prac-
using natural soils, or constructed filter beds with disposal of
tices D5921 and D5925.
the treated wastewater into the natural soil.
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
3.4 potentially suitable field area, n—the portions of a site
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
that remain after observable limiting surface features, such as
education or experience and should be used in conjunction
excessive slope, unsuitable landscape position, proximity to
withprofessionaljudgment.Notallaspectsofthispracticemay
water supplies, and applicable setbacks, have been excluded.
be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not
3.5 recommended field area, n—the portion of the poten-
intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which
tially suitable field area at a site that has been determined to be
the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,
most suitable for an on-site septic system soil absorption field
nor should this document be applied without consideration of
or filter bed based on surface and subsurface observations.
a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
3.6 soil absorption area, n—an area of natural soil used for
title of this document means only that the document has been
filtration and purification of wastewater from an on-site septic
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
system.
2. Referenced Documents 3.7 soil absorption field area, n—an area that includes soil
absorption trenches and any soil barriers between the trenches.
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
Also called a leachfield.
D5921 Practice for Subsurface Site Characterization of Test
3.8 soil absorption trench, n—an excavated trench, usually
Pits for On-Site Septic Systems
1.5 to 3 ft wide that receives wastewater for treatment. Also
called a lateral or leachline.
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
4. Summary of Practice
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and
Subsurface Characterization. 4.1 This practice describes a procedure using existing infor-
Current edition approved May 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally
mation about a site, simple field equipment, and visual obser-
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5879 – 95 (2003).
vation for identifying and evaluating all significant conditions
DOI: 10.1520/D5879-95R10.
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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
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
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D5879 − 95 (2010)
at the surface of a site, including climate, vegetation, survey
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