405.2 Monitoring Ground Water Levels

A property owner or developer shall have the option to provide documentation that soil mottling or other color patterns at a particular site are not an indication of seasonally saturated soil conditions of high ground water levels. Direct observation shall be used to document ground water levels. Monitoring shall be in accordance with the procedures cited in Sections 405.2.1 through 405.2.6.

Monitoring shall be performed at a time of the year when maximum ground water elevation occurs. In determining whether a near-normal season has occurred where sites are subject to broad regional water tables, such as large areas of sandy soils, the fluctuation over the several-year cycle shall be considered. In such cases, data obtained from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shall be used to determine if a regional water table was at or near its normal level.

Areas to be monitored shall be checked for drainage tile and open ditches that alter natural high ground water levels. Where such factors are involved, information on the location, design, ownership and maintenance responsibilities for such drainage shall be provided. Documentation shall be provided to show that the drainage network has an adequate outlet and will be maintained. Sites affected by agricultural drain tile shall not be acceptable for system installation.

The owner or the owner's agent shall notify the code official in writing of the intent to monitor. Where necessary, the code official shall field check the monitoring at least once during the time of expected saturated soil conditions.

At least three wells shall be monitored at a site for a proposed system and replacement. Where necessary, the code official shall require more than three monitoring sites, and the site evaluator shall be so advised in writing.

At least two wells shall extend to a depth of at least 6 feet (1829 mm) below the ground surface and shall be a minimum of 3 feet (914 mm) below the designed system depth. However, with layered mottled soil over permeable unmottled soil, at least one well shall terminate within the mottled layer. Monitoring at greater depths shall be required, where necessary, due to site conditions. The site evaluator shall determine the depth of the monitoring wells for each specific site. All depths shall be approved. The monitoring well shall be a solid pipe installed in a bore hole. The pipe size shall be a minimum of 1 inch (25 mm) and a maximum of 4 inches (102 mm). The bore hole shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) and a maximum of 8 inches (203 mm) larger than the pipe (see Appendix A, Figure A-2).

The first observation shall be made on or before [DATE]. Observations shall be made thereafter every 7 days or less until [DATE] or until the site is determined to be unacceptable, whichever occurs first. Where water is observed above the critical depth at any time, an observation shall be made 1 week later. Where water is present above the critical depth at both observations, monitoring shall cease and the site shall be considered unacceptable. Where water is not present above the critical depth at the second observation, monitoring shall continue until [DATE]. Where any two observations 7 days apart show the presence of water above the critical depth, the site shall be considered unacceptable and the code official shall be notified in writing. When rainfall of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) or more occurs in a 24-hour period during monitoring, observations shall be made at more frequent intervals, where necessary.

Where monitoring shows saturated conditions, the following data shall be submitted in writing: test locations; ground elevations at the wells; soil profile descriptions; soil series, if available from soil maps; dates observed; depths to observed water; and local precipitation data—monthly from [DATE] and daily during monitoring.

Where monitoring discloses that the site is acceptable, the following data shall be submitted in writing: location and depth of test holes, ground elevations at the wells and soil profile descriptions; soil series, if available from soil maps; dates observed; results of observations; information on artificial drainage; and local precipitation data—monthly from [DATE] and daily during monitoring. A request to install a soil absorption system shall be made in accordance with Section 106.