Soils

The soils are the key to a well functioning onsite sewage system. Typically at least 70% of the treatment will take place in the soil.

The texture of the soil is critical ( how much sand, silt and clay).

Most people realize that sand with it larger particle size "percs" much better than clay. However, many people do not fully appreciate the affect of soil structure.

The other critical factor is the soil structure: A massive structure fine sand with a firm consistency will not allow much water to permeate through the soil.

However, even a soil with a fair bit of clay ( clay loam) with a strong blocky or granular structure can be quite suitable for an onsite system.

CSSI often submits a representative sample to the lab for texture ( grain size) analysis. This is standard procedure in Alberta , but almost no one in BC does this on a routine basis.