When should percolation tests ideally be conducted?

The ideal timing for conducting percolation tests is indeed critical for accurate results. Percolation tests are designed to assess the rate at which soil absorbs water, and conducting these tests after heavy rain or snow melt can provide an incomplete and possibly misleading assessment of soil conditions.

Undertaking the tests during dry weather conditions allows for a more reliable understanding of the soil's absorption capacity. This timing ensures that the moisture content of the soil reflects typical, non-saturated conditions, which is essential for evaluating the soil's performance under normal circumstances, rather than extreme or unusual weather conditions.

Thus, the best practice is to perform percolation tests under conditions reflective of the soil's usual state—ideally, before the installation of the mound system. This allows for a more accurate estimation of how the system will function once it's in place, ensuring that the design meets the necessary requirements for effective wastewater treatment.