ASTM_D_5921_-_96_2010.pdf

Designation:D592196(Reapproved 2010)Standard Practice forSubsurface Site Characterization of Test Pits for On-SiteSeptic Systems1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5921;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONMany State and local jurisdictions have requirements for evaluating sites for approval of on-siteseptic systems.This practice provides a method to describe and interpret subsurface characteristics toevaluate sites for septic systems.All characteristics used in this practice influence the ability of a siteto provide treatment and disposal of septic tank effluent.However,this practice is not meant to be aninflexible description of investigation requirements.State and local jurisdictions may require fewer orgreater numbers of subsurface features to evaluate a site.This practice primarily follows the U.S.Department of Agriculture,Soil Conservation Service(SCS)soil classification system,which encompasses a systematic framework for soil morphologicalcharacterization.The SCS classification the most prevalent system in use for on-site septic systems.This practice can be complemented by application of other soil description techniques as appropriate,such as the Unified Soil Classification System(D2485).1.Scope1.1 This practice covers procedures for the characterizationof subsurface soil conditions at a site as part of the process forevaluating suitability for an on-site septic system.This practiceprovides a method for determining the usable unsaturated soildepth for septic tank effluent to infiltrate for treatment anddisposal.1.2 This practice describes a procedure for classifying soilby field observable characteristics within the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture,Soil Conservation Service(SCS)classification system.2The SCS classification system is definedin Refs(12),3not in this practice.This practice is based onvisual examination and manual tests that can be performed inthe field.This practice is intended to provide information aboutsoil characteristics in terms that are in common use by soilscientists,public health sanitarians,geologists,and engineerscurrently involved in the evaluation of soil conditions for septicsystems.1.3 This procedure can be augmented by Test Method D422,when verification or comparison of field techniques is required.Other standard test methods that may be used to augment thispractice include:Test Methods D2325,D3152,D5093,D3385,and D2434.1.4 This practice is not intended to replace Practice D2488which can be used in conjunction with this practice if construc-tion engineering interpretations of soil properties are required.1.5 This practice should be used in conjunction with D5879to determine a recommended field area for an on-site septicsystem.Where applicable regulations define loading rates-based soil characteristics,this practice,in conjunction withD5925,can be used to determine septic tank effluent applica-tion rates to the soil.1.6 This practice should be used to complement standardpractices developed at state and local levels to characterize soilfor on-site septic systems.1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.9 This practice offers a set of instructions for performingone or more specific operations.This document cannot replace1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface andSubsurface Characterization.Current edition approved May 1,2010.Published September 2010.Originallyapproved in 1996.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5921 96(2003)1.DOI:10.1520/D5921-96R10.2In 1995,the name of the SCS was changed to Natural Resource ConservationService.This guide uses SCS rather than NRCS because referenced documents werepublished before the name change.3The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at theend of the text.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 education or experience and should be used in conjunctionwith professional judgment.Nat all aspects of this practice maybe applicable in all circumstances.This ASTM standard is notintended to represent or replace the standard of care by whichthe adequacy of a given professional service must be judged,nor should this document be applied without consideration ofa projects many unique aspects.