Wisconsin Mound Soil Absorption System and Area FillPractice Exam

What cannot be used to size Wisconsin mound systems?

1. Percolation rate

2. Linear loading rate

3. Dwelling size

4. Soil texture

The correct answer is: Percolation rate

When sizing Wisconsin mound systems, percolation rate is not a suitable measure. This is because percolation rates assess how quickly water moves through the soil, which can vary considerably based on numerous factors such as soil structure, moisture content, and compaction. While percolation rates can inform design considerations, they do not directly equate to the sizing criteria needed for proper system performance in mound systems. In contrast, linear loading rate, dwelling size, and soil texture are all integral to sizing these systems. The linear loading rate helps to determine how much wastewater can be effectively absorbed over a given area. Dwelling size provides a basis for estimating the wastewater flow that the system needs to accommodate, and soil texture influences not only the absorption characteristics but also the water retention capabilities of the soil, which can affect how well the mound functions in practice. Thus, while percolation rate is valuable for other types of assessments, it is not used for sizing Wisconsin mound systems specifically.