1、Designation: D5879 95 (Reapproved 2010)D5879/D5879M 18Standard Practice forSurface Site Characterization for On-Site Septic Systems1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5879;D5879/D5879M; the number immediately following the designation indicatesthe year of original adoption or, in t
2、he case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of lastreapproval. A superscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This practice covers procedures for the Site characterization of surface conditions a
3、t a site for evaluating suitability for anon-site septic system for disposal and treatment of wastewater. This practice provides a method for identifying potentially suitableareas for soil absorption of septic tank wastewater.systems requires both simple and complex techniques that may be accomplish
4、edby many different procedures and may be variously interpreted. These studies are frequently site specific and are influenced bygeological and geographical settings, by the purpose of the site characterization, by design requirements for the project proposed,and by the background, training, and exp
5、erience of the staff involved.1.2 This standard is a guide for using the surface site characterization for on-site septic systems method for projects that requireon-site sewage disposal. It is intended to improve consistency of practice and to encourage the use of this method as part of a sitecharac
6、terization program. Since the subsurface conditions at a particular site are usually the result of a combination of natural,geologic, topographic, and climatic factors, and of historical modifications both natural and manmade, an adequate and internallyconsistent use of a method as part of the explo
7、ration program will allow evaluation of the results of these influences.1.3 This practice can be used at any site where on-site treatment of residential and nonhazardous commercial wastewaters usingseptic tanks and natural soils or constructed filter beds is required or an option under consideration
8、.This practice may also be usefulwhen constructed wetlands are used as an alternative wastewater treatment method.1.4 This practice should be used in conjunction with Practices D5921 and D5925.1.5 UnitsThe values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units given in brackets are to be regarded sepa
9、rately as standard.The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other.Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard. Reporting of results in units other thanSI shall not be regarded as
10、nonconformance with this standard.1.6 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replaceeducation or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may beapplicable in all
11、circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which theadequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a projectsmany unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this doc
12、ument means only that the document has been approved throughthe ASTM consensus process.1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardizationestablished in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Gu
13、ides and Recommendations issuedby the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained FluidsD5921 Practice for Subsurface Site Characterization of Test Pits for On-Site Septic Syste
14、ms1 This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and SubsurfaceCharacterization.Current edition approved May 1, 2010May 15, 2018. Published September 2010June 2018. Originally approved in 1995. Last
15、previous edition approved in 20032010 asD5879 95 (2003).(2010). DOI: 10.1520/D5879-95R10.10.1520/D5879_D5879M-18.2 For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standardsvolume information, refer to the
16、standards Document Summary page on the ASTM website.This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Becauseit may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accu
17、rately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current versionof the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United Sta
18、tes1D5925 Practice for Preliminary Sizing and Delineation of Soil Absorption Field Areas for On-Site Septic Systems (Withdrawn2005)33. Terminology3.1 clinometer, nDefinitions: an instrument for measuring inclination, as in topographic slope.3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in thi
19、s standard, refer to Terminology D653.3.2 constructed filter bed, na material, usually of a sandy texture, placed above or in an excavated portion of the natural soilfor filtration and purification of wastewater from an on-site septic system.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 c
20、onstructed filter bed, na material, usually of a sandy texture, placed above or in an excavated portion of the natural soilfor filtration and purification of wastewater from an on-site septic system.3.2.2 on-site septic system, nany wastewater treatment and disposal system that uses a septic tank or
21、 functionally equivalentdevice for collecting waste solids and treats wastewater using natural soils, or constructed filter beds with disposal of the treatedwastewater into the natural soil.3.2.3 potentially suitable field area, nthe portions of a site that remain after observable limiting surface f
22、eatures, such asexcessive slope, unsuitable landscape position, proximity to water supplies, and applicable setbacks, have been excluded.3.2.4 recommended field area, nthe portion of the potentially suitable field area at a site that has been determined to be mostsuitable for an on-site septic syste
23、m soil absorption field or filter bed based on surface and subsurface observations.3.2.5 soil absorption area, nan area of natural soil used for filtration and purification of wastewater from an on-site septicsystem.3.2.6 soil absorption field area, nan area that includes soil absorption trenches an
24、d any soil barriers between the trenches.Alsocalled a leachfield.3.2.7 soil absorption trench, nan excavated trench, usually 0.5 to 1 m 1.5 to 3 ft wide that receives wastewater for treatment.Also called a lateral or leachline.3.2.8 wastewater load rate, nthe rate with which wastewater enters the so
25、il.3.3 on-site septic system, nany wastewater treatment and disposal system that uses a septic tank or functionally equivalentdevice for collecting waste solids and treats wastewater using natural soils, or constructed filter beds with disposal of the treatedwastewater into the natural soil.3.4 pote
26、ntially suitable field area, nthe portions of a site that remain after observable limiting surface features, such asexcessive slope, unsuitable landscape position, proximity to water supplies, and applicable setbacks, have been excluded.3.5 recommended field area, nthe portion of the potentially sui
27、table field area at a site that has been determined to be mostsuitable for an on-site septic system soil absorption field or filter bed based on surface and subsurface observations.3.6 soil absorption area, nan area of natural soil used for filtration and purification of wastewater from an on-site s
28、epticsystem.3.7 soil absorption field area, nan area that includes soil absorption trenches and any soil barriers between the trenches. Alsocalled a leachfield.3.8 soil absorption trench, nan excavated trench, usually 1.5 to 3 ft wide that receives wastewater for treatment. Also calleda lateral or l
29、eachline.4. Summary of Practice4.1 This practice describes a procedure using existing information about a site, simple field equipment, and visual observationfor identifying and evaluating all significant conditions at the surface of a site, including climate, vegetation, topography, surfacedrainage
30、, water sources, and human influences (structures, property lines), that may affect the suitability for design andconstruction of an on-site septic system.4.2 This practice describes a procedure using existing information about a site, simple field equipment, and visual observationfor identifying an
31、d evaluating all significant conditions at the surface of a site, including climate, vegetation, topography, surfacedrainage, water sources, and human influences (structures, property lines), that may affect the suitability for design andconstruction of an on-site septic system. The procedure involv
32、es exclusion of areas that are unsuitable for natural soil absorptionor constructed filter beds as a result of topography, landscape position, and proximity to surface drainage, water sources, and otherlimiting surface characteristics (structures, utilities, property lines). If no areas at a site co
33、mply with applicable regulatory3 The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.D5879/D5879M 182requirements, no additional field investigations are required. This procedure also provides guidance on selection of the specific areaor areas at a site for subsurface
34、 investigation as covered in Practice D5921.5. Significance and Use5.1 This practice should be used as the initial step for evaluating a site for its potential to support an on-site septic system andto determine the best location for subsurface observations as covered in Practice D5921.5.2 This prac
35、tice should be used by individuals involved with the evaluation of properties for the use of on-site septic systems.Such individuals may be required to be licensed, certified, or meet minimum educational requirements by the local or stateregulatory authority. Generally, such individuals should be fa
36、miliar with the appropriate regulatory requirements governing thedesign and placement of on-site septic systems for the area of the site being investigated, and at least some experience or trainingin geomorphology, soils, geology, and hydrology.5.3 This practice is one step in the design of an on-si
37、te septic system that also includes subsurface characterization, see PracticeD5921, staking and protection of the soil absorption or constructed filter bed area, see Practice D5925, selection of system type,and design of the system size and configuration. Typically, the same individual will perform
38、the surface and subsurfacecharacterization of a site. Local regulation and practice will determine whether the same individual is responsible for all steps inthe process of locating and designing an on-site septic system. Effective surface and subsurface characterization of a site for on-siteseptic
39、systems, however, requires some knowledge of the following for the county or state in which the site is located: (1) on-siteseptic system types typically used for different soil conditions, and (2) typical soil absorption/filter bed areas required for differentwastewater flow rates and areal soil wa
40、stewater loading rates.6. Field Equipment6.1 In addition to equipment identified in Practice D5925, additional equipment useful for site surface investigations include thefollowing:6.1.1 Clinometer or Hand Level, and a Surveyors or other rod for slope measurements;6.1.2 Hammer, Stakes and Flagging,
41、for marking probe or auger holes and the recommended field area. If an extendablesurveyors rod is used, a tripod for stabilizing the rod may also be useful. Accurate measurement of distances requires a tapemeasure (30 m or 100 ft), although forin many investigationscases pacing may be adequate for m
42、easuring approximate distances.6.2 At some sites, surveying equipment may be required to determine more definitively suitability for an on-site septic systemor to provide additional information at the design stages. Examples of suchstages as described in 7.1.1situations include marginalsites where a
43、ccurate measurements of a recommended field area are required to determine if the suitable area is large enough andsites where accurate topographic contours are required for engineering design of constructed filter beds. . This practice does notaddress the use of surveying equipment for such purpose
44、s.7. Procedure7.1 Preliminary DocumentationAll readily available information about the site should be obtained and reviewed prior tovisiting the site.7.1.1 A survey showing the boundaries of the site is the preferred method for locating the site because it can also serve as abase map for field obser
45、vations. A legal description of the property can also be used to plot the site on other available maps or fordrawing a sketch map of the site. A topographic survey with contour intervals of 1 to 5 ft0.25 m to 1.5 m 1 to 5 ft will facilitatepreliminary identification of potentially suitable field are
46、as and final map preparation. Usually, such maps will not be availableunless the site is part of a larger planned subdivision.7.1.2 The following information concerning local or state regulatory on-site septic system siting requirements should beavailable for field reference, if required:7.1.2.1 Min
47、imum separation distance between soil absorption or constructed filter fields and water supply, property lines andother surface and subsurface features,7.1.2.2 Wastewater hydraulic loading rates for different soil texture, structure and other field observable soil properties,7.1.2.3 Selection criter
48、ia for alternative on-site septic system designs (that is, depth to seasonal high water table, depth tolimiting soil layer, slope, and so forth), and7.1.2.4 Other site-specific features that may affect design of on-site septic systems, such as perimeter drain clearances, andwastewater loading rates.
49、7.1.3 If the site is undeveloped, the following information should be obtained, prior to visiting the site:7.1.3.1 Planned location and size of the house or commercial structure,7.1.3.2 Planned location of water well, if applicable, water lines, and other buried utilities, and7.1.3.3 Information required for determining wastewater load rates and strength for septic system design (that is, number ofbedrooms, number of full-time employee equivalents and shifts per day, biological/chemical oxygen demand). Practice D5925addresses in more detail wastewater hydr
