Assessing Shallow Groundwater for OSSFs
COURSE OUTLINE
What does it mean to be saturated? Can saturated soils “treat” wastewater? What are the “states” of soil water? Introduction to reduction and oxidation concepts.
Where does water “gather” in a landscape and where does it run off? We examine basic geomorphology and hydrology concepts for predicting where seasonal water tables may occur in the landscape.
Shallow ground water tables are for the most part seasonal, meaning that the on-site evaluator must rely on indicators rather than direct observation. The risk of making a bad call are are thus greatly increased. We explore the difference between a false positive and a false negative call with respect to soil saturation, and how to minimize the risk to the public, as well as liability for the evaluator.
A review of how to use the color book and a basic outline of how to describe mottles.
What kinds of soil mottles or redoximorphic are indicative of current saturation and reduction, and which are not? What is the problem with relying on mottles for determination of soil saturation?
Soil surveys are not site specific, but yet they constitute an important resource for the on-site evaluator who is looking to improve knowledge of local soils. Basic soil survey concepts. How to use the Web Soil Survey and the Soil Web.
You must pass the final for credit!