HYDRAULIC LOAD TEST

INSTRUCTION SHEET

 

Purpose: To simulate normal water usage (400 gal. per day*) in a home that is vacant.

 

Instructions:

  1. Find a faucet that you are sure drains into the septic system.

 

  1. How many seconds does it take to fill a 1 gallon jug? ___________

(Example: 20 seconds)

 

  1. Divide 60 by your answer from #2. _______________

This is Flow Rate, in Gallons per Minute(GPM). (Example: 60 ÷ 20 = 3 GPM.)

 

  1. Divide 400 by your answer from #3.  _______________

This tells you how many minutes to run the water. (Example: 400 ÷ 3 = 133 minutes.)

*Note that if the house has more than 4 bedrooms, add 100 per extra bedroom.

 

  1. Run the water for the number of minutes calculated in your answer to #4,

each day for 7 or more days.

 

  1. Record all information on the following chart:

 

Date

Start Time

End Time

Location

Initials

 

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Alternate method: Set water flow to fill 1 gallon jug in 3 ½ minutes, allow water to run continuously, 24 hours per day, for 7 days. Record start and stop times & dates.