Wet Season Percolation Testing
Updated: 4.19.12
The Bureau of Environmental Health began annual wet season site evaluations and percolation tests on Monday, January 9, 2012, and it ends on April 21. Wet season testing is arranged on a first come, first served basis.
For the 2012 testing season, applications for mound sewage disposal systems must have been received by February 1 and testing performed by March 17, 2012. All other applications must have been received and scheduled by March 30, 2012.
To apply for percolation tests, contact the Anne Arundel County Permit Application Center, 2664 Riva Road in Annapolis, or call the Bureau of Environmental Health at 410-222-7193. For a copy of the printable application, see Percolation Testing Application (PDF). You can also apply online here.
The wet season test period is set for Anne Arundel County using data from a network of monitoring wells from the Maryland Department of the Environment and in southern Maryland to determine groundwater levels. Properties located in areas with certain soils and high water tables require testing during this season of the year. The highest water table is usually experienced during the months of February, March and April.
Wet season testing helps avoid inaccurately assessing the ability of the septic system to work in all seasons of the year. The information provided by the site evaluation and perc testing is used to determine the size and type of septic system that can be installed on a specific lot. In some cases, because of adverse soil or groundwater conditions, a property may only be developed when public sewer is available.