Run a hydraulic load test as part of a point-of-sale septic inspection
domain: dep.pa.gov · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Confirm the triggers for recommending a hydraulic load test are present (e.g., structure vacant more than about a week, recent new water sources added, recent soil disturbance near the system, or unclear actual water use versus anticipated use)
Determine the design daily flow the absorption area must handle (e.g., Pennsylvania DEP guidance ties it to 400 gpd plus 100 gpd per bedroom over three)
Surcharge the tank with the calculated volume of clean water over the specified test period
Observe and record the water level rise in the tank and monitor the subsequent draining/absorption over the required observation window (commonly spanning about two days)
Pair the hydraulic load test with a dye test and visual/camera inspection rather than relying on either test alone, since a dye test alone only confirms connectivity, not system condition
Known gotchas
A passing dye test does not mean the system is functioning properly - it only demonstrates a connection between two points and can miss serious drainfield or tank defects
Design flow assumptions used to size the hydraulic load test volume vary by state - use the applicable jurisdiction's formula rather than a generic number
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