A "soil test" or "perc test" is technically called a Site Evaluation.

Amy Jones is a State of Maine Licensed Site Evaluator and Certified Soil Scientist.  As a Site Evaluator Amy evaluates the soil and site conditions of a property to determine its suitability for onsite wastewater disposal (septic system).  Ultimately she creates a Septic System Design and provides all necessary plans and paperwork for a septic system installation permit.   Amy can develop plans for all of the following:

New System
A Septic System Design and Permit are needed for all new home or other building construction in those areas where city or town sewer is not available.  Amy can develop a design and permit application for a New System.

Replacement System
If you have a home or business that has a septic system that needs replacing due to old age or a major malfunction you will need a Site Evaluator to design a Replacement System and complete the permitting forms.

Expansion System
You may also need a Site Evaluation if you are planning an addition to your home of one or more bedrooms or an increase in the size of your business.  Additions or expansions may require the enlargement of the size of your septic system to handle additional wastewater flow, therefore a design and permit will be needed for an Expansion System.

Pit Privy and Greywater Systems
A Site Evaluation and permit are also required for camps or cottages that plan to install a new or replacement outhouse (pit privy). It is also required for a Greywater System designed to handle grey wastewater only from sinks and/or showers.

"SOIL TEST" OR SITE EVALUATION PROCESS

1. Site Visit

The process begins with a site visit to evaluate both soil and site conditions.  Amy will dig and/or auger one or more holes to investigate the properties of the soil including soil texture, color, drainage conditions, and depth to ledge or a hydraulically restrictive layer (such as a hard pan).  Site conditions are also evaluated.  This includes assessing landscape features, drainage patterns, and setback requirements (such as setbacks to wells,  water bodies, or property lines).

Soil and site conditions dictate the size and type of system to be designed.   Amy will then spend time on the site measuring, placing stakes and taking elevation readings to establish septic system placement.

2. Design and Permitting

All the information gathered in the field will be used by Amy to create a septic system design.   The design includes CAD (computer drafted) or hand drawings of a site plan and system  plan and cross-section.  The design is ultimately printed on forms, called and HHE-200, that become the permit application for on-site sewage disposal.   The permit application is then reviewed by the local Code Enforcement Officer who will issue the appropriate permit.

All site evaluations and septic system designs are completed in accordance with the State of Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Environmental Health.