Section 410IAC6-8.3-56. On-site evaluation

   (a) Before issuance of any permit for construction of a residential on-site sewage system or the replacement or alteration of a soil absorption system, an on-site evaluation, which shall include a description of the soil profile, shall be conducted.

  (b) Properties of the soil at each site shall be described by a soil scientist using the guidelines set forth in the soil manuals, technical bulletins, and handbooks of the NRCS.

  (c) Soil profile information shall be recorded:

(1) to a depth of five (5) feet; or

(2) until a layer is encountered that cannot be readily penetrated;

whichever is shallower.

  (d) The on-site evaluation shall be conducted before application and plan submittal.

  (e) The information in the written on-site soils evaluation report shall include the following:

(1) For topographic information, the following:

(A) The slope and slope aspect.

(B) Surface drainage characteristics and patterns including swales, ditches, and streams.

(C) The proposed or existing location of house and well or other water supply.

(D) The location of other major features or structures.

(E) The location of soil evaluation sites and appropriate soil type boundaries.

(F) The topographic position of the site.

(2) For soil characteristics, the following:

(A) Parent material.

(B) The approximate depths of soil horizons.

(C) The soil color, structure, and texture at each horizon.

(D) The horizon designation for each horizon.

(E) The depth to any layer that has a soil loading rate greater than seventy-five hundredths (0.75) gallons per day per square foot or less than twenty-five hundredths (0.25) gallons per day per square foot.

(F) The depth to seasonal high ground water as indicated by soil wetness characteristics.

(G) The depth to bedrock.

(H) The soil consistence at each horizon.

(I) The soil effervescence at each horizon.

(J) The percent coarse fragments at each horizon.

(K) The percent clay at each horizon, by field estimation, for any horizon where the percent coarse fragments is greater than thirty-five percent (35%) by volume.

(L) The presence or absence of roots.

(M) Frost penetration depth, if applicable.

  (f) When soil characteristics are to be used for calculations for the depth of a subsurface drainage system, the following information shall be recorded to a depth of eighty (80) inches:

(1) The information required in subsection (e)(2).

(2) Particle size family.

(Indiana State Department of Health; 410 IAC 6-8.3-56; filed Oct 19, 2012, 2:06 p.m.: 20121114-IR-410120156FRA)