Soil evaluation now required
- col-conservation-corner
- February 14, 2024
- 583
The Ohio Department of Health now requires a soil evaluation to be conducted for any new onsite sewage system or any alteration/replacement to an existing sewage system.
Ohio Administrative Code rule 3701-29-07 gives the site and soil evaluation requirements.
The rule says, “Soil evaluators shall have the knowledge and experience to facilitate the review of site and soil conditions, information provided by the homeowner, and these rules to identify appropriate areas for the siting of STS or GWRS. Soil evaluators shall be knowledgeable of the requirements of this chapter, available STS technologies and the science of pedology.”
A soil evaluation is needed because a proper evaluation of soil characteristics is critical for proper design and installation of a sewage treatment system. Each site proposed for sewage treatment shall have the soil described in the area that is proposed for the sewage treatment system. The new sewage rules require very detailed documentation of soil characteristics obtained from soil borings or excavations. The site and soil evaluator is required to describe the soil using USDA terminology — terminology that is typically used for soil descriptions in soil survey investigations.
Each description will be required to have a record of soil colors using the Munsell Soil Color System; soil texture including clay and rock fragment in percent; structure including grade, size and shape; and consistence for each horizon using terminology from the USDA/NRCS Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils.
The soil evaluator also will be required to identify any limiting layers within the soil such as bedrock, apparent or seasonal water tables, fragipans, et cetera. Accurate soil descriptions are critical for the design of wastewater systems appropriate for soil conditions in the treatment area.
Soil evaluators
At present there are three classes of individuals who are able to conduct these evaluations. First are the soil scientists. These are individuals who have been educated and trained in soils and soil science. In Ohio professional soil scientists are usually members of the Association of Ohio Pedologists. Their official website can be found at www.ohiopedologist.org/.
Second, some local health departments in Ohio are still conducting soil evaluations. Contact information for your local health department can be found at https://odh.ohio.gov/find-local-health-districts. Even if your local health department is not conducting soil evaluations, they can tell you exactly what will be needed for an evaluation in your county and can inform you of the process of applying for and submitting a permit for a new system or an alteration.
Lastly, other individuals approved under five of rule 3701-29-07 by the Ohio Department of Health also can conduct such evaluations. ODH has a list of such individuals at https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/sewage-treatment-systems/education-resources/res-se-oac3701-29-07a5.
Other information
Another valuable resource for soil evaluations for onsite sewage systems is Ohio State University fact sheet, Soil Evaluation for Home Septic Systems, written by OSU professors Brian Slater and Karen Mancl. This resource proceeds through the evaluation process outlined by ODH, explaining both the theory and moving through the evaluation process. This resource can be obtained through your local OSU Extension or can be found on the OSU Extension website at https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/aex-742. Other resources available from OSU are information on septic tank care at https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/aex-740 and using soils for wastewater treatment at https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/aex-745.
If any more information is needed, contact your local health department, your local county extension agent or your local county SWCD office.
Lee Carl Finley is a district resource specialist with the Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District.