Soil Infiltration & Percolation Testing
Soil infiltration and percolation testing are essential components of geotechnical investigations that assess how water moves through soil. These tests provide critical data for stormwater management systems, on-site sewage facilities, and other civil engineering applications throughout Sydney and surrounding areas.
What is Soil Infiltration Testing?
Soil infiltration testing measures the rate at which water enters and moves through soil. This process is crucial for understanding a site's capacity to absorb rainfall or manage stormwater runoff.
At Atlas Engineering and Technology Group, we conduct comprehensive infiltration assessments to determine soil permeability and identify potential limitations in subsurface conditions.
Our Testing Methods
We employ several industry-standard testing methodologies to assess soil infiltration rates accurately:
- Double Ring Infiltrometer Testing - Uses concentric metal rings inserted into the soil to measure vertical water movement under controlled conditions
- Constant Head Permeability Testing - Maintains a constant water level to measure steady-state infiltration rates
- Falling Head Permeability Testing - Measures the rate of water level decline to determine soil permeability
- Cased Borehole Infiltration Testing - Evaluates infiltration at specific depths using boreholes
Why are Infiltration tests performed?
Our soil infiltration and percolation testing services support various applications:
- Stormwater management system design
- On-site sewage facility planning
- Bioretention basin design
- Permeable pavement assessments
- Groundwater recharge evaluations
- Environmental compliance requirements
Benefits of Professional Infiltration Testing
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Accurate System Design | Properly sized stormwater and sewage systems based on actual site conditions |
| Cost Efficiency | Prevents over-engineering or undersizing of drainage infrastructure |
| Regulatory Compliance | Meets local council and NSW EPA requirements for development approvals |
| Environmental Protection | Minimizes flooding risks and protects groundwater resources |
| Site Optimization | Identifies optimal locations for infiltration-dependent structures |
Our Testing Process
Our experienced geotechnical engineers follow a systematic approach to ensure accurate and reliable results:
- Site assessment and identification of test locations
- Preparation of test areas according to project specifications
- Equipment setup and calibration
- Controlled water application and precise measurement
- Data collection and analysis
- Comprehensive reporting with recommendations