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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS In summary, the soil conditions examined near the proposed septic system drain field were found to be suitable for a standard septic system. A satisfactory soil percolation rate of 9.26 min/in was observed in the shallow soil zone at the test location. The depth of ground water based on recent aquifer levels is approximately 93 to 108 feet below ground surface. The ground-water flow beneath the Site is to the north or northwest at a rate of approximately 16 to 20 feet per mile. Depth-to-water data were not available for the vicinity of the Site during the 1983 and 1999 high-water seasons. Because the percolation rate encountered falls between 5.0 and 30.0 min/in, the San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department will require an eight-foot separation from the bottom of the dispersal system to ground water. Based on the anticipated depth to water beneath the Site, this requirement should not present a difficulty. A water sample was collected from the domestic well on the Site as part of this investigation. Nitrate was detected in the sample at a concentration of 11.7 mg/L-N, just above the MCL of 10 mg/L-N. DBCP was not detected in the sample; the MCL for DBCP is 0.2 ug/L. It is recommended for health reasons that bottled water be consumed until the concentration of nitrate can 6-e reduced to below the MCL. The San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department may have recommendations for filtration systems to reduce nitrate levels in the drinking water. Based on a review of San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department map of nitrate detections in nearby wells, it appears that three wells within a half-mile radius of the subject Site have been tested for nitrate; it was detected in all three at concentrations greater than 10.0 mg/L-N. According to the DBCP map, one well within! one-half mile of the Site was tested for DBCP; no DBCP was detected in the well. Most of the nearby land is agricultural, including many orchards; elevated nitrate levels in the area likely derive from fertilizer application on these properties. Based on the method and assumptions described, the nitrate loading calculation indicates that the use of on-site septic tanks and drain field systems on the Site have the potential to cause a buildup of nitrate in the aquifer of 13.5 mg/L-N, above the US EPA drinking water recommendation of 10 mg/L-N. However, based on the conservative nature of the calculation, depth to water beneath the Site, and clay soil present in the area, it is the professional opinion of Live Oak that shallow septic effluent from the subject Site is unlikely to contribute significantly to a build-up of nitrate in the ground water. Use of a standard, shallow septic system should be permitted for the new home. LOGE 1930 Page 14