Hernando County, Florida—Sanitary Facilities and Development

ArcView projects can easily be developed from the raw U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service (USDA/SCS) data appended with the subject tables found in the USDA/SCS Soil Survey Manual.

USDA/SCS Septic Tank Absorption Fields Based on Soil Associations

Septic tank absorption fields are subsurface systems of tile or perforated pipe that distribute effluent from a septic tank into the natural soil. Only the soil horizons between depths of 18 and 72 inches are elevated for this use. Soil properties and site features that affect absorption of the effluent are permeability, depth to seasonal high water table, depth to bedrock, and susceptibility to flooding. Stones, boulders, and shallowness to bedrock interfere with installation. Excessive slope may cause lateral seepage and surfacing of the effluent.

USDA/SCS Daily Cover Analysis Based on Soil Associations

Daily cover for landfill should be soil that is easy to excavate and spread over the compacted fill during wet and dry periods. Soils that are loamy or silty and free of stones are better than other soils. The soils selected for final cover of landfills should be suitable for growing plants. Of all the horizons, the A horizon in most soils has the most workability, more organic matter, and the best potential for growing plants. This map includes the special protection areas (SPAs) and landfill sites.

USDA/SCS Area Landfill Analysis Based on Soil Associations and Special Protection Areas

Sanitary landfill refers to a method of disposing solid waste by placing refuse in successive layers either in excavated trenches or on the surface of the soil. The waste is spread, compacted, and covered daily with thin layers of soil. The risk of polluting groundwater from this use and trafficability determines the suitability of a soil type. The SPAs overlay was included in the analysis for a retrospective on existing and historic landfills. These terrain features provide contaminants a more direct and less restricted access to groundwater and the aquifer. Thoughtful use and analysis of large geographic areas with the USDA/SCS Soil Tables in a GIS can reduce landfill development cost and the potential risk of water contamination based on preferred soils and suitability.