1 / 13

Site Assessment

Site Assessment. Why should you be concerned?. Activities in and around your home have lasting effects on water quality. It is important to become familiar with the following characteristics of your homesite: Soil type Geology Depth to groundwater Nearness to surface water.

Sophia
Download Presentation

Site Assessment

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Site Assessment

  2. Why should you be concerned? • Activities in and around your home have lasting effects on water quality. • It is important to become familiar with the following characteristics of your homesite: • Soil type • Geology • Depth to groundwater • Nearness to surface water

  3. Soil and Groundwater • Soil plays a role in where potential contaminants go and how water moves. • The type of soil determines whether water percolates through soil or runs off. • Three types of soil particles are: • Clay • Sand • Silt

  4. Clay Soil • Clay soil is composed of tiny particles. • These particles can slow or even stop the downward movement of water. • Moist clay soil: • Feels really sticky. • Forms a long snake when rolled between your hands.

  5. Sandy Soil • Sandy soil is made up of large particles. • Large particles allow for rapid water movement. • When moist, sandy soil: • Feels gritty. • Has grains that can be seen. • Will not remain in a ball when squeezed.

  6. Silt Soil • Silt soils are composed of medium-sized particles. • Moist silt soil: • Feels smooth like flour. • Is not sticky. • Forms a snake and then breaks apart when rolled between your hands.

  7. An Ideal Mixture . . . • Is silt and clay soils which: • Allow water to infiltrate slowly. • Filter potential pollutants.

  8. Soil Depth • As soil depth increases, soil type and particle size can change. • Most of Kentucky has loamy soil which is a mixture of particle sizes. • Clay soil is found deep and can limit water movement.

  9. Depth of Soil to Bedrock • Depth of soil to bedrock affects risks to groundwater: • The deeper the soil, the farther water must filter. • Deep soil has a better chance of removing or breaking down possible pollutants. • Soil less than 3 feet deep poses serious risks. • Breaks in the bedrock (sinkholes) allow pollutants to go directly into groundwater.

  10. Your Homesite and Surface Water • Hard rain, flooding or watering can wash contaminants into nearby surface water. • Eroding soil can be a water pollutant. • Pollutants carried into surface water can: • Threaten aquatic plants and animals. • Contaminate groundwater. • Be careful to prevent contaminant runoff.

  11. Slope of the Homesite • Slope of the land around your home determines how water moves. • Steeply sloping land can cause polluted water to flow directly into surface water. • If the land around your home slopes steeply: • Keep the ground covered with vegetation. • Avoid activities that might pollute the water.

  12. Make a Map of Your Homesite • Draw a map of your homesite to: • Help you understand your pollution risks. • Identify areas where risk can be minimized. • Involve your children in making the map to teach them the importance of clean water. • Keep an eye out for problem areas as you draw the map.

  13. Possible Problem Areas • Improperly located septic systems • Petroleum product storage tanks • Stockpiled animal waste • Steeply sloping areas • Possible underground fuel tanks

More Related