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IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br />SSS§ 6.7, 6.8. The percolation test results for this project reveal slow permeability in the surface <br />soils at typical leachline depth, and medium depth soils at typical sump depth. The deep perc tests <br />demonstrate highly permeable soils, representative of seepage pits. Of significant importance is the <br />large number of OWTS failures in this locale. Therefore, it is recommended to install at a minimum, <br />an additional leachline trench and seepage pit to the number of leachline and seepage pits <br />promulgated in Table 9.7.1 - Standard OWTS Design Requirements. It is favorable to force the <br />leachline trenches to manage effluent flows as much as possible, and by adding an additional <br />trench(s) will be environmentally beneficial and add lifespan to the systems installed. <br />In accordance with EHD rules, the septic system disposal area for each proposed Parcel must be <br />installed within 100 feet of the percolation test location. The criteria for perc test locations are <br />described on Page 3. If OWTS installation is proposed outside this 100 ft radius, a registered civil <br />engineer must approve this proposal. <br />There is currently a distance of approximately 55 feet between the bottom of a 25 ft deep seepage pit <br />and the current groundwater depth of 80 feet. It is extremely unlikely that groundwater will ever rise <br />closer than 10 feet from the bottom of a seepage pit due to over -pumping and drought conditions. <br />The soil analytical test results show low concentrations of soil nitrate -nitrogen, even though the <br />subject property has been under agricultural production for the last several decades. Crops grown on <br />the property were in all likelihood fertilized with nitrogen. Additionally, decomposing organic <br />matter from residual crop decomposition supplies nitrate -nitrogen, also indicating substantial <br />denitrification potential. <br />Soil particle size analysis of the two sampled Parcels illustrate varying percentages of sand, silt and <br />clay from the sampled depths. Clay content percentages are relatively consistent in decreasing <br />percentages with increasing depths. <br />Jenssen and Siegrist (1990) found the factors that favor denitrification are fine-grained soils such as <br />clays and silts layered with soils consisting of alternating fine-grained and coarser grained soils, <br />which has been observed in the soil test results. This stratification may also contribute to an increase <br />in soil moisture content. Percolating water encountering coarser soil stratum will accumulate on top <br />of this coarser stratum until sufficient soil moisture increases before percolating water enters the <br />underlying stratum, thus creating anaerobic conditions and promoting denitrification. <br />The nitrate loading calculations demonstrate potential loading from the total number of bedrooms <br />each Parcel can support. <br />SSS§ 6.7. For this project, it is important that: 1.) The architect/engineer/designer of the <br />residential structures, 2.) The plumber, 3.) The septic system contractor, and 4.) The landscaper or <br />landscape architect, should coordinate their services simultaneously for each individual Parcel. <br />The architect/engineer/designer must orientate the house on each Parcel, taking into consideration <br />the size of the house, perc test location, location of the OWTS primary disposal area, and the <br />100% replacement area. <br />-11- <br />Chesney Consn[ting <br />