What inspection is typically required before installing a septic system?

A soil percolation test is essential before installing a septic system because it assesses how quickly and effectively the soil can absorb water. This test determines the suitability of the soil for trench or bed absorption, helping to ensure that wastewater from the septic system will not pool on the surface or contaminate groundwater. By measuring the absorption rate, the soil percolation test provides critical data that informs the design and size of the septic system, which is necessary for its proper function and to protect public health and the environment.

Other options like sitemap approval, environmental impact assessments, and water quality analyses are important at various stages of development or for different aspects of environmental management but do not directly influence the immediate installation process of a septic system in the same way that percolation tests do.