The soil structure must allow the liquid waste to pass through at a suitable rate. The waste must pass slowly enough to allow the microorganisms time to feed on the harmful material, yet fast enough to dispose of the amount of liquid waste entering the absorption area. While soils rich in clay treat sewage most effectively, the fine pores of many of these soils slow the downward movement or percolation of sewage, which may cause backups to the surface of the ground. Soils rich in sand allow rapid percolation to dispose of sewage but do not hold the sewage long enough to treat it adequately before it reaches groundwater. Treatment continues in the soil until rock or soil saturated with liquid is encountered.
Rock allows sewage to move quickly into groundwater without proper treatment.
Partially treated sewage reaching either rock or saturated soils will enter the water supply. Any contaminants or disease-producing organisms present in the sewage will be in the glass of water you drink from your polluted well. Viruses can survive in groundwater in excess of one year. The SEO enters the excavation to evaluate the soil's texture, structure and color. The SEO also looks for signs of rock and saturated soils.