How long are soil tests (perk tests) for Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) good for?
Answer – The “perk” test method of testing for POWTS suitability has been replaced since 1994 with a more accurate and descript means of soil and site evaluation. Now the soil testing procedure is done by means of a morphological evaluation. After the soil and site evaluations have been conducted by the soil tester the results of that soil and site evaluation are to be sent to the County reviewing authority. After the soil and site evaluations have been reviewed by the county reviewing authority, and are found to be acceptable for completeness, the evaluations are then filed for use with a future sanitary permit for the property tested. The soil and site evaluations (soil tests) are good for as long as the administrative rule that governs them remains in affect. If there is a significant rule change that effects the soil and site evaluation process or results of previously completed tests then a new test may have to be done.
The “perk” test method of testing for POWTS suitability has been replaced since 1994 with a more accurate and descript means of soil and site evaluation. Now the soil testing procedure is done by means of a morphological evaluation. After the soil and site evaluations have been conducted by the soil tester the results of that soil and site evaluation are to be sent to the County reviewing authority. After the soil and site evaluations have been reviewed by the county reviewing authority, and are found to be acceptable for completeness, the evaluations are then filed for use with a future sanitary permit for the property tested. The soil and site evaluations (soil tests) are good for as long as the administrative rule that governs them remains in affect. If there is a significant rule change that effects the soil and site evaluation process or results of previously completed tests then a new test may have to be done.
