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downward movement of wastewater and the presence of both oxic and anoxic conditions within the disposal trench and surrounding soils will increase the uptake of nitrogen and other wastewater constituents by soil microbes. Groundwater Groundwater in the vicinity of the parcel is variable depending on the year and season. Groundwater has been documented at an approximate elevation of-50' below mean sea level (msl), or approximately 85' below the ground surface in the Spring of 2015, with the groundwater gradient trending eastward toward an apparent cone of depression near Waterloo.5 Conversely, groundwater depth in the area was observed in the Spring of 2016 to be nearly-90 (msl) with a steeper eastward gradient with a focal point near the Calaveras County line. Groundwater in the area of the subject parcel is used for agricultural and domestic purposes; future use will likely be similar. No documentation of degraded local groundwater was found during the course of our research. Sources of Nitrogen The land use in the immediate vicinity of the subject parcel is rural/suburban, with the immediate neighborhood consisting of half to one-acre lots and subdivisions with smaller lots located to the west, or up- gradient location. Lots within the existing subdivision are served by OWTS and appear to be of a recent vintage. It is noted that existing subdivisions west of Freesia Avenue are served by public sewer. Factors effecting nitrate loading will be primarily the OWTS and commercial nitrogen based lawn fertilizer. Nitrate loading from OWTS is relatively straightforward. While concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen in individual systems vary widely, documented ranges are 26-75 milligrams per liter(mg/L)6, and 20-85 mg/L, with an average value of 35 mg/L.7 For the purposes of this analysis, the industry standard average value of 35 mg/L of nitrate is used. Nitrogen leaching from domestic lawns is based primarily on the homeowner's application rates of fertilizer and water and not possible to accurately calculate from a theoretical stance. That being said, a theoretical proposal would not carry much meaning and has been avoided. The same rationale existing for irrigation of landscape. Nitrogen removal from the soil column, through the process of microbial nitrification/denitrification is a function of detention time, BOD:N ratio and anoxic conditions. Denitrification rates up to 60 Ib/acre*d can be achieved in some situations,8 with an average reduction due to denitrification is 25%.9 Vegetative uptake will also remove nitrogen from the soil column. Lawn grasses can consume 200+/- pounds of nitrogen/year/acre. However, for the purposes of this assessment, we will assume that no vegetative nitrogen uptake occurs other than the consumption of commercial fertilizer. Mass Balance This analysis looks specifically at the nitrogen loading of the local soil and groundwater due to development activities on the parcel. We have used the Hantzche-Finnemore model for this analysis. To properly complete this model, we will require the data listed below: Wastewater The model requires the vertical depth of the annual volume of wastewater dispersed over the entire property. The volume of wastewater is calculated at a rate of 140 gallons per bedroom per day. The proposed home will consist of 5 bedrooms for a total daily wastewater volume of 700 gallons per day. The attached data sheet shows the calculation of the wastewater volume to a vertical depth. s San Joaquin County Flood Control District,2016,pg 2-48/2-50 6 EPA Onsite wastewater treatment systems manual Small and decentralized wastewater management systems,Crites,1998 9 Land Treatment systems for Municipal and Industrial wastes,Crites et 01,2000 9 Small and Decentralized wastewater Management Systems,Crites,1998 Applied Wastewater Solutions, Inc. page 3 of 4