ASTM_D_5879_-_95_2010.pdf

Designation:D587995(Reapproved 2010)Standard Practice forSurface Site Characterization for On-Site Septic Systems1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5879;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.1.Scope1.1 This practice covers procedures for the characterizationof surface conditions at a site for evaluating suitability for anon-site septic system for disposal and treatment of wastewater.This practice provides a method for identifying potentiallysuitable areas for soil absorption of septic tank wastewater.1.2 This practice can be used at any site where on-sitetreatment of residential and nonhazardous commercial waste-waters using septic tanks and natural soils or constructed filterbeds is required or an option under consideration.This practicemay also be useful when constructed wetlands are used as analternative wastewater treatment method.1.3 This practice should be used in conjunction with Prac-tices D5921 and D5925.1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performingone or more specific operations.This document cannot replaceeducation or experience and should be used in conjunctionwith professional judgment.Not 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.The word“Standard”in thetitle of this document means only that the document has beenapproved through the ASTM consensus process.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D5921 Practice for Subsurface Site Characterization of TestPits for On-Site Septic SystemsD5925 Practice for Preliminary Sizing and Delineation ofSoil Absorption Field Areas for On-Site Septic Systems(Withdrawn 2005)33.Terminology3.1 clinometer,nan instrument for measuring inclination,as in topographic slope.3.2 constructed filter bed,na material,usually of a sandytexture,placed above or in an excavated portion of the naturalsoil for filtration and purification of wastewater from an on-siteseptic system.3.3 on-site septic system,nany wastewater treatment anddisposal system that uses a septic tank or functionally equiva-lent device for collecting waste solids and treats wastewaterusing natural soils,or constructed filter beds with disposal ofthe treated wastewater into the natural soil.3.4 potentially suitable field area,nthe portions of a sitethat remain after observable limiting surface features,such asexcessive slope,unsuitable landscape position,proximity towater supplies,and applicable setbacks,have been excluded.3.5 recommended field area,nthe portion of the poten-tially suitable field area at a site that has been determined to bemost suitable for an on-site septic system soil absorption fieldor filter bed based on surface and subsurface observations.3.6 soil absorption area,nan area of natural soil used forfiltration and purification of wastewater from an on-site septicsystem.3.7 soil absorption field area,nan area that includes soilabsorption trenches and any soil barriers between the trenches.Also called a leachfield.3.8 soil absorption trench,nan excavated trench,usually1.5 to 3 ft wide that receives wastewater for treatment.Alsocalled a lateral or leachline.4.Summary of Practice4.1 This practice describes a procedure using existing infor-mation about a site,simple field equipment,and visual obser-vation for identifying and evaluating all significant conditions1This 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 1995.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5879 95(2003).DOI:10.1520/D5879-95R10.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 at the surface of a site,including climate,vegetation,topography,surface drainage,water sources,and human influ-ences(structures,property lines),that may affect the suitabilityfor design and construction of an on-site septic system.Theprocedure involves exclusion of areas that are unsuitable fornatural soil absorption or constructed filter beds as a result oftopography,landscape position,and proximity to surfacedrainage,water sources,a