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INTRODUCTION <br />The preliminary physical and chemical testing of the soil and chemical analysis of the water table <br />have been completed for the proposed domestic wastewater effluent disposal areas associated with <br />each Building referenced on the Title Page. The soil physical testing consisted of percolation <br />testing along with soil chemical testing for factors that influence nitrate loading. Additionally, <br />water table samples were retrieved to also determine nitrate loading factors and constituents. This <br />data and information will be used in the Nitrate Loading/Soil Suitability Studies required by the <br />San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department (EHD) for this project. These test results <br />and water table determinations will also be used in the final effluent disposal design by Siegfried <br />Engineering, Inc. for each Building. <br />Testing was conducted in the months of February and March of this year during one of the wettest <br />rainy seasons on record. Because of the closely intermittent rainfall events and intensity, perc test <br />scheduling was very challenging. The soils maintained moisture contents that could be <br />considered well above field capacity, but below saturation. Consequently, the perc test procedures <br />of inducing soil saturation were readily achieved at the beginning of each test. <br />FINDINGS <br />Testing protocol for this project began near the proposed effluent disposal location to serve <br />Building E&E (a.k.a. Building J) on February 25, 2019. Two separate percolation tests were <br />drilled to different elevations, as noted on the attached Percolation Test Rate data sheet. Both <br />perc tests were conducted in a silty clay loam (USCS silty clay - SC) soil structure. At the 24" <br />perc test depth, which was conducted just 7.56" above the water table and within the capillary <br />fringe, there remains permeability with a perc rate of 83.3 minutes/inch (min/in). Although this is <br />a comparatively slow rate, a much slower rate would have been expected. Technically, this rate is <br />considered failing by EHD since it is slower than 60 min/in. However, since all the wastewater <br />treatment and disposal systems for this project will be engineered, under Section 7.1 of the SJC <br />EHD Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Standards, failing rates can still be used for civil <br />engineering design purposes. <br />Analysis of the groundwater under the disposal area for Building E&E, finds a high concentration <br />of nitrate from past on-site organic recycling operations. This nitrate determination will be <br />addressed in the Nitrate Loading Study for the E&E Parcel and proj ect. <br />The second E&E perc test was conducted at a depth of 36" and at a 3.65' higher elevation (test <br />depth = 2.65' higher) directly east of the 24" perc test, as noted on the attached perc test locations <br />map. It is my understanding that this is near the elevation where the proposed disposal area is to <br />be constructed for Building E&E. Test results reveal a slow but passing perc rate at 50.0 min/in <br />with'the same soil structure at test depth as in the 24" deep perc test and conducted well above the <br />capillary fringe. <br />The second testing protocol began on March 19 for the south test locations for Buildings A and B. <br />Perc test result for B -S (Building B, South) had a final perc rate of 41.7 min/in. <br />Page 1 of 3 <br />Chesney Consulting <br />