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PERC QUESTIONS

• Application, how do I get a perc test application?
• Do you have a checklist for perc testing (and subdividing) my property?
• What are they?
• Who does them?
• When can they be done?
• Where can they be done?
• How much will this cost?
• How long is a perc approval valid?
• If disapproved, what are my options?
• What are your minimum preliminary site plan requirements?

Checklist for perc test (and subdividing):

1. Check with Planning & Codes at 410 479 8100 to make sure project can be done.
2. Prepare site
3. Prepare scaled site plan showing location of test site. Include location of any wells within 150 feet of the existing and proposed property lines. Note on your site plan if no wells within 150 feet of property lines.
4. Apply for Perc Test: Submit application (signed by legal owner) site plan and appropriate fee. Expect results of soil evaluation (dry perc) within 60 days of application; if wet season test, expect results at end of wet season (usually in June, provided wet season application was received by December 1st and no drought conditions exist).
5. Apply for Plat Evaluation -- Submit plat (if subdividing); or
6. Apply for Septic permit (if no subdivision required and are ready to build).

What are perc tests?   Perc tests are soil and site evaluations performed on a parcel in a location where one would install a septic system. Certain criteria must be met, such as having a valid perc approval before a septic permit will be processed.

Before a test can be performed, certain issues must be addressed. The applicant should ask themselves the following questions BEFORE applying for a perc test:

• Is there enough land to support an initial septic system, back up septic systems, and build a home meeting set backs from septic area and property lines? The state of Maryland requires a Sewage Reserve Area (SRA) be a minimum of 10,000 sq ft; and depending on the perc results it could be much larger than that.
• Can the test site meet setback distances from wells, ditches, drainage systems, rivers, ponds, marsh, etc.?    Recommend measuring property. If two pits (100 feet apart from each pit) can fit and still be 150 feet from wells (also wells on adjoining parcels), ditches, drainage systems, rivers, ponds, marsh, then the setback criteria may not be an issue.
• Is this project feasible?    Sometimes when someone is planning to take an acre or two from a relative's farm, for example, the applicant should find out if this project is even possible. Zoning issues may need to be resolved before one should go to the expense of applying for a nonrefundable perc test or even the expense of hiring a surveyor. Call Planning & Codes at 410/479-8100 and ask if you need to apply for a preliminary subdivision review.
• When do I plan to build?    Perc approvals are valid for two years. Apply for the perc test at least one year before applying for a building permit.
• Is there a possibility of public sewer coming to the area I am thinking of testing?    If the parcel in question is on the outskirts of a town that has public water and sewer, recommend contacting that specific town to see if they are planning to run their sewer system on or near the property. Keep in mind that well and septic permits are issued on an interim basis. That means that once a public system is available, the on-site septic system and/or well must be abandoned and the home hooked up to the public system.

Who does perc tests?    Perc tests are evaluated by a registered sanitarian in the health department, upon receipt of application, current fee, and acceptable site plan.

In cases where the parcel in question is very large and you are not sure where you want to have the perc test performed, recommend contacting a soil consultant to suggest test sites.

It is the applicant's responsibility to prepare the site. Most of the sewage contractors in Caroline County prepare perc test sites.

When can perc test be done?     Before that can be answered, consider the fact that perc tests are broken down into three categories: Soil Test, Wet Season Test, Sand Mound Test and are described below:

• Soil Test:    Two test pits are installed by the applicant on the property and can be evaluated any time throughout the year. A site plan and appropriate fee must accompany application. All perc tests are required to go thru this stage. Expect written results approximately 6-8 weeks after the site has been prepared. It is important to keep access to the site and the immediate site area clear of brush to enable the sanitarian to perform the necessary testing. Recommend keeping site clear (mowing area,etc.) until written results have been received.

• Wet Season Test:    Two pipes are installed approximately ten feet from the test pits and the application with appropriate fee must be received by December 1st in order to go thru the upcoming wet season. The wet season is the time of year when the ground is the wettest; usually begins in January and ends in April, but these dates can vary. The pipes (also known as piezometers) are monitored throughout the wet season. Most of the soils in this county are wet season soils; a soil test will confirm this. Expect written results from a wet season test at the end of the wet season (usually May or June), except in drought conditions when the test can be postponed to the following yearly wet season.

• Sand Mound Test:    Ten gallons of water must be left (by the applicant) at the site and appropriate fee must accompany the application . This can be done any time during the year, however, the site in question must have gone thru the soil test and the wet season test before a sand mound test application can be accepted.

Where can perc test be done?    The health department does not determine where a perc test can be performed. However, it is recommended that the test site be approximately:

• 150 feet from wells streams, ponds, drainage ditches, marshes, and all wells (this includes adjoining parcels, make sure neighbor's well across street, too, is 150 from your test site);
• 50 feet from property lines (this includes proposed property lines)

Clear an access to the test site.   Please keep access clear until written results have been received.

How much will perc test cost?    The testing fees will vary depending on what type of perc test being applied for. The fees are also determined by the number of sites being tested. Examples follow.

• Example A:    If one perc test site being applied for, the initial fee would be 1 times the current fee for soil test fee.
• Example B:    If two perc test sites being applied for the fee would be 2 times the current fee for soil test fee.
• Example C:    Suppose it is later in the year, like October or November, and you are planning on having one test site but don not want to miss the upcoming wet season; then you should apply for both a soil test and a wet season test for one site; the fee would be 1 times the current fee for the soil test plus the current fee for the wet season. If planning to test more than one site, then it would be the number of sites times the soil test fee plus the wet season test fee.

The point is, one perc test site may require up to three different fees--the soil test fee, the wet season test fee, and the sand mound test fee; OR one perc test site may only require the single fee of the soil test. The initial soil test (pits) will determine if wet season testing is required. The wet season test will determine if a regular septic system can go on site, or if a mound test option is available.

Remember, however, that the majority of the soils in this county are wet season soils, so it is highly probable that Example C will be the cost.

Refer to the fee schedule to get the current fee

Note that the testing fee does NOT include preparing the site.    Most sewage contractors could prepare the site, the cost may vary. Call a contractor for prices.

How long are perc approvals valid and can they be extended?    Perc approvals are valid for two years; however, if the site is not maintained the perc approval could be rescinded. In other words, make sure no one puts a pond, ditch or well in or too close to the test site. Also make sure the site is easily found on the property, especially if the home is not going on the parcel for a few more years.

Apply for a Property Status Report, to see if your perc approval can be extended, allow 30 days processing time.

In cases where you plan to subdivide the perc approved property off of a larger parcel; the perc is considered temporary and is valid for six months --until a plat is recorded. Then the perc is valid two years from the date the health department signed the plat.

Perc disapprovals, what are my options?    When a perc disapproval letter is issued, options are noted on the letter.   Sometimes a mound test option is available; other times the only option would be to get public water/sewer if it comes to the area.   Do not assume that a mound could go on any property that does not pass a perc test.

Not all perc disapprovals will give a mound test option; nor do all mound test options pass.

Site Preparation:

Below is a cross section of a test pit and piezometer (pipe). Note the pit should be no deeper than 5 feet and at least 3 feet wide--a gentle slope would be needed to allow someone access into the pit. The pipe should be approximatley 10' from the pit.

Recommend you read SITE PREPARATION FOR PERC TESTS for more details in preparing your test site.

Site Plan:

The site plan should show the following:

• Prefer to be on 8 1/2 x 11 regular sized paper
• Owner's name (include applicant's name if diferent from owner)
• Name of Road (if property borders more than one road, use the road planned for entrance--show entrance)
• Map, Block, Parcel numbers (if in subdivision include lot # and name of subdivision)
• Scale (prefer engineer's scale, like 1" = 100', etc.)
• Location of pits and/or pipes (use a box for the pit and circle for pipe-see below)

Please note, in cases where the property is very large, include copy from Tax Book--your initial site plan can show pit/pipe locations with notation of distance from two of the closest property lines.    Remember, pits to be 100 ft apart and 150 ft from any wells, rivers, streams, ponds, ditches, farm field drainage systems. The pipes are to be approximately 10 ft from the pits. Refer to "SITE PREPARATION FOR PERC TESTS"