percolation test

Definition

A soil test measuring how quickly water drains, crucial for determining if a property can support a septic system. Dirt's resume for its ability to handle your wastewater.

Example Usage

The land failed the percolation test, meaning they'd need to install an engineered septic system at considerable expense.

Origin

From Latin 'percolare' meaning to filter through, adopted into civil engineering and environmental health

Fun Fact

The standard perc test involves filling a hole with water and measuring drainage rate—medieval in its simplicity yet still required by law.

Source: Land development and environmental engineering terminology

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