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Soil Suitability / Nitrate Loading Study <br /> 11065 North Alpine Road I Stockton, California r rerracon <br /> June 30, 2026 1 Terracon Project No. NA267068 <br /> 1.6.7. Discussion of Percolation Test Results <br /> Based on the 2026 percolation test results, the percolation test borings B1 (25 ft bgs), <br /> B2 (15 ft bgs), and B3 (3.5 ft bgs) demonstrated unsatisfactory percolation rates. Based <br /> on the 2019 percolation test results, the percolation test borings B4-2019 (16 ft bgs), <br /> B5-2019 (18 ft bgs), and B6-2019 (7 ft bgs) demonstrated unsatisfactory percolation <br /> rates, while B3-2019 (21 ft bgs) demonstrated a satisfactory percolation rate. <br /> According to the OWTS Standards Table 1.10.2, for percolation rates between 5 and 30 <br /> minutes per inch, a minimum of 8 feet of separation is required from the bottom of the <br /> dispersal system to groundwater. Groundwater was not encountered at a maximum <br /> explored depth of 25 feet bgs in boring B1 (2026) and is mapped between 100 to 110 <br /> feet bgs, which is likely to meet the 8-foot separation requirement from the proposed <br /> bottom of the septic leach line. <br /> 1.6.8. Discussion of Septic System Sizing <br /> In general, septic system construction should follow the San Joaquin County On-Site <br /> Wastewater Disposal Standards (OWTS) where applicable. <br /> 2. NITRATE LOADING STUDY <br /> Because of concern regarding nitrate leaching into groundwater from septic systems, a <br /> nitrate loading analysis is required by the EHD for the proposed development to <br /> determine the potential concentration of percolating effluent and rain fall over the long <br /> term. Where percolating effluent leaches into the ground, groundwater quality may be <br /> impacted to some degree should the effluent reach groundwater. <br /> The method utilized for the nitrate loading analysis is based on a simple mass balance <br /> formula, discussed in a published article by Hantzsche and Finnemore (1992), which <br /> provides a convenient and simplified method to estimate long-term groundwater nitrate <br /> impacts on an area-wide basis. <br /> Hantzsche and Finnemore found that over a long period of time, water quality in the <br /> upper saturated groundwater zone closely approximates the quality of percolating <br /> recharge waters. They believe that their method is a good planning tool and provides <br /> useful information to planners and local officials but with some real limitations. In their <br /> article published in Ground Water, Hantzsche and Finnemore mention that "...the <br /> equation ignores dispersion, lateral flow, and mixing with groundwater flow from up- <br /> gradient areas. These processes would generally contribute to additional reduction of <br /> nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in groundwater to the extent that the nitrate-nitrogen <br /> concentration of groundwater flow from up-gradient areas is lower." <br /> Facilities I Environmental I Geotechnical I Materials 14 <br />