Percolation Testing "Wet Season" Update

If you are planning to build on lots in Prince Georges County that are not served by public sewer you are required to have soil percolations tests completed to determine that the soils are suitable for an on-site sewage disposal system.

PERC testing for properties in Prince George’s County with soils that have been identified as restrictive due to high or perched water tables must be tested during the wet season, which typically runs from February through April when the soils are most saturated. Due to lower-than-normal ground water levels and the lack of saturation within the soil profile, wet season PERC testing is postponed until next year.

If your property has been designated to be tested during the wet season and you desire to proceed with testing this year, you may obtain the services of a certified soils scientist to identify whether there may be soils on your property that could be tested any time of the year. While the Department makes its determination of the type of soils on a lot based on the United States Geological Survey (USGS) sols survey for Prince George’s County, a soils scientist can make a more individualized determination through an on-site evaluation of the lot. Properties with non-restrictive soils and meeting all other required conditions may be tested at any time of the year. The Health Department will continue PERC testing for properties that have been designated for testing year-round with appropriate adjustments made throughout the year to the treatment zone buffer Community Service Announcement that is necessary to protect the water table from contamination.

An application for a percolation test must be made through the Prince George’s County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health, Environmental Engineering Program and can be accessed at https://momentumhome.princegeorgescountymd.gov/. Application processing is handled on a first-come, first-served basis. You may submit an application, but no percolation testing will occur this year. Applications will be kept open until the next wet season.

For further information contact the Prince George’s County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health/Disease Control at EnvironEngProgram@co.pg.md.us, or 301-883-7681, weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
 

To learn more, visit the Percolation (PERC) testing webpage.