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International Journal of Soil Science

Year: 2011 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 4 | Page No.: 249-258
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Authors

C.P. Humphrey

M.A. O`Driscoll

Keywords

Research Article

Cumulative Saturation of Low Chroma Soil Colors and Shallower Depths: Implications for On-site Wastewater System Design

C.P. Humphrey and M.A. O`Driscoll
On-site wastewater treatment systems require aerated soil beneath the disposal field trenches for adequate effluent treatment and protection of groundwater quality. Low chroma colors are used as a reference point for the depth to the seasonal high water table. The study objective was to assess the frequency of water table saturation and cumulative saturation of soil at depths typical for disposal field trenches (30 to 60 cm shallower than low chroma soil colors). Groundwater monitoring wells were installed at 11 sites with 4 different soil series in mainland Carteret County, North Carolina. Soil profile descriptions and the depth to low chroma colors were recorded during the well installation process. Automated water level loggers were placed in the wells and programmed to record water table depths every 0.5 h. The depths to low chroma soil colors and 30-60 cm shallower were compared to groundwater levels for a one year period (December 2006 to January 2008) to determine the frequency and cumulative saturation of soil at these depths. Data indicated that the soil cumulative saturation and frequency of water table inundation was greater at depths 30 cm above chroma 2 colors relative to 45 and 60 cm above chroma 2 colors. Increasing the vertical separation distance requirements from on-site wastewater system disposal field trenches to low chroma colors by 15 cm could reduce the frequency of saturation and the cumulative groundwater table saturation of disposal field trenches by 25 and 67%, respectively. Water quality could be improved by increasing separation distance requirements by 15 cm or more from the current standards.
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