Timmons Group Soil Scientists provide our clients with a broad range of services relating soil characteristics to various aspects of project planning, land management, and development projects. Our goal is to provide our clients with outstanding and in-depth soils information to help them achieve their vision in a timely and economical manner without sacrificing quality. Soil evaluations are customized to our client’s specific needs, goals, and objectives, from soil profiles to in depth analysis by an Authorized Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE). Timmons Group has over 14 years of experience investigating site soils, and our certified professionals can guide a broad range of projects through the regulatory and permitting process.

Our Focus

• Onsite Waste Water Disposal
• LID Suitability
• Alternative Storm Drainage Treatment
• Infiltration Testing
• Chesapeake Bay Opt-Out Analysis
• Soil Suitability Analysis
• Soil Profiles

For additional information regarding soils-related services offered by Timmons Group please contact Chris Dodson at 804.200.6438 or chris.dodson@timmons.com.

Project Profiles

	Cameron Foundation Petersburg, VA Timmons Group has completed the soil evaluation and infiltration testing for low impact development (LID) features incorporated in the new Cameron Foundation site. The soils were assessed using hand augers to examine the soil profile and record profile descriptions.   [more info]
	Falling Creek Middle School Chesterfield County, VA Timmons Group completed a Chesapeake Bay Opt-Out Analysis for a middle school expansion in Chesterfield County. [more info]
	Farrington Fire Station Onsite Wastewater Disposal System Hanover County, VA Timmons Group has completed the site and soil evaluation and designed the waste water disposal system under the Authorized Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE) program of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for a new fire station is Hanover County.   [more info]

Preliminary Soil Suitability Analysis
It is important to remember that a site’s soils and other environmental features can limit the area and potential uses of a site if not identified and accounted for early in the planning and design process.  The first step in the planning phase for large sites is often a preliminary soil suitability analysis to evaluate and document the site’s suitability for onsite waste water disposal systems.  Soils information is documented across the site to identify the areas of most suitable soils for drainfields according to VDH Regulations.  This allows project managers to determine where a drainfield might be installed in relation to other project elements.  This is a preliminary step for planning purposes only and does not result in any formal submittal to VDH.  In order to design and permit an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system, the preliminary soil suitability analysis will require a more detailed site visit, the Site and Soil Evaluation.

Site and Soil Evaluation
The Site and Soil Evaluation involves a detailed soil investigation to identify the limits of suitable soil and physically locate the drainfield boundaries.  The soils information from the Site and Soil Evaluation will both identify the drainfield location and provide a detailed soils report which will be the basis of system design.  The site characteristics and soils information is summarized in the AOSE Report which is submitted along with the application and VDH fee to the local health department for approval.  VDH has the option to make a site visit at their discretion to evaluate the site and soils to verify information submitted by any private consultant.  Additional field work will be necessary in order to prepare applications for Certification Letters or Construction Permits.  The benefit of Certification Letters is that they do not have an expiration date as compared to Construction Permits that expire 18 months from the date of issuance.  Certification Letters can be recorded in the land records and guarantees that an onsite wastewater disposal system can be designed on the lot.  The Certification Letter does not include a system design and will require an AOSE/PE design when converted to an application for a Construction Permit.  The Certification Letter can be converted to a VDH Construction Permit within 18-months without additional VDH application fees.  VDH application fees will be required 18 months after the date of issuance on the Certification Letter.

Certification Letter
Certification Letters are intended for applicants who do not plan to build within 18 months of application.  VDH charges a processing fee for Certification Letters and fees may vary by locality.  Certification letters indicate that a site is suitable for an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system and do not need to indicate the type of system for which the site is suitable.  Certification letters do not expire, convey with the land, and may be converted to a construction permit by making application to the local health department along with any required fees.

Construction Permits
Construction Permits expire 18 months from the date of issuance and VDH charges an additional processing fee that may vary by locality.  Timmons Group works with clients to prepare applications for Construction Permits to VDH for approval.  The Construction Permit includes a site and soil evaluation, AOSE package, and design for the onsite waste water disposal system. 

Useful Links:

The Natural Resources Conservation Service
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

Soil Survey Tools
http://soils.usda.gov/

Authorized Onsite Soil Evaluator (AOSE)
http://www.vdh.state.va.us/EnvironmentalHealth/Onsite/AOSE/index.htm

Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies for Stormwater Management
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/costs07/

National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association
http://www.nowra.org/

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