Site Survey/Vacant Land Evaluation Program

A site survey/vacant land evaluation is the first step in determining if a parcel of land without access to municipal wastewater services can be considered for an on-site septic system.  After a Site Survey – Vacant Land Evaluation (Perc Test) application has been submitted and the fee paid, a sanitarian will visit the proposed site to determine if the conditions on the site are suitable for a septic system that will meet the requirements of the District Sanitary Code. Issues considered and examined during the evaluation include: 

Soil type and permeability 

• Depth to seasonal high-water table 
• Slope 
• Horizontal separation distance from wells, surface waters, property lines 
• Amount of suitable area available 
• Area hydrogeology 
• Runoff patterns 
• Proposed land use 
• Easements and right-of-ways 
• Location of buried utilities and other site improvements 
• Existing development on adjacent lots