Soil testing is needed to determine what type of septic system can be installed for your home or business. The soil test tells us the type of septic system, the size needed, and location of the septic system. The soil tester will use heavy equipment such as a backhoe or mini excavator to dig soil pits or create borings into the ground. Then the soil tester will climb into the pit and identify the characteristics of the soil. Soil testing is a science for which various characteristics of the soil are determined such as structure, type of soil, and high ground water features.
Pro Tip
Before purchasing a vacant property or parcel/lot you should have a certified soil test completed to determine what type of septic system can be installed. A soil test and sanitary permit must be on file with the county before a building permit can be issued.
The soil tester performs a “Soil and Site Evaluation” to analyze the consistence, the type of boundary between the horizons and the size and quantity of the roots in the soil. The soil tester will document the horizons or different layers of the soil that are present on the property. A site map is also made during the soil test. The map shows where the pits or borings are on the property, the location of the current structures or proposed structures, the well, the slope of the tested area and the legal description of the lot. All this information is needed to determine the type and location of your system.
Certified Soil Testing Service Providers
Joe Ambacher
E2590 Thoe Rd
Iola WI 54945
715-445-7473
Hanson Sanitation
Hanson, Stuart & Jason
PO Box 349
Wittenberg WI 54499
715-253-2020
Stuczynski Soils & Design
Bob Stuczynski
10593 Cty Rd T
Amherst WI 54406
715-824-5200
Eric Asenbrener
N5715 Cypress Rd
Shawano WI 54166
715-526-3848
Jorgensen Enterprises
W3125 Badger Dr
Pine River WI 54965
920-987-5397
Thern Septic Solutions, LLC
Will Thern
N4112 County Road M
New London, WI 54961
(920)202-6826
Bates Soil & Water Testing
Brian Bates
N1237 Country Crest Cir
Hortonville WI 54944
920-779-0000
Lecker Septic
7529 Schueler Ln
Shiocton WI 54170
920-757-9500
Frings Soil and Environmental
Ken Thompson
708 E Beacon Ave
New London, WI 54961
715-239-5513
Brian Baumgarten
N1343 Holmnlane Rd
Waupaca WI 54981
920-858-1276
Dewey Services
Bill Kolodziej
401 Dewey Dr
Stevens Point WI 54482
715-345-1903
Spencer Timm
W4053 Cty. TT
Pine River WI 54965
920-229-4596
Brady’s Septic
W12366 Cty Hwy G
Gresham WI 54128
715-787-4152
Kramar Soil Testing
Scott Kramar
7629 Rolling Hills Rd
Custer WI 54423
715-570-6474
Woolsey Plumbing
PO Box 106
Waupaca WI 54981
715-258-8237
Davel Engineering
Travis Stuck
1811 Racine Rd
Menasha WI 54952
920-560-6567
Montour Craig
W1719 Strupp Rd
Cecil WI 54111
715-745-2613
(c) 715-853-9178
Zoromski Soil
2603 Juniper Ln
Wausau WI 54401
715-570-3912
George & Holdt Soil Consultants
6350 Nero Ln
Sobieski, WI 54171
820-822-9918
S & S Excavating
Mark Schuelke
N6256 Cty Hwy O
Manawa WI 54949
920-596-3215
This is not a complete list of certified soil testing service providers, but rather a list of those commonly doing work in Waupaca County. Addresses and phone numbers provided are based upon information currently available on the internet. The list of soil testers shown above is intended as information only and does not constitute an endorsement of their services over any other business that may be available to provide the same certified soil testing service to you.
What Are Soil Horizons?
When you dig down deep into any soil, and you’ll see that it is made of layers, or horizons (O, A, E, B, C, R). Most soils have three major horizons (A: topsoil), (B: subsoil), (C: parent material) and some have an organic horizon (O: humus or organic)
What Causes Soil Mottling?
Soil mottling is a contrasting or “blotchy” color pattern within the dominant soil horizon color. It is formed when the seasonal high-water table rises into aerobic soils, changing the condition of the soil from aerobic (oxygen rich) to anoxic (without oxygen). Different bacteria live in each of these soil conditions. Bacteria living under aerobic conditions die when the water table rises, because the oxygen in the soil is replaced by water. Anoxic bacteria begin to thrive because they can use certain oxides (oxygen bonded to iron and manganese) in the soil to survive. When the bacteria use the oxygen bonded to the iron and manganese, these minerals change color and dissolve into the water around them. When the water level begins to drop, these dissolved minerals stick to the surface of soil particles as yellow, red, orange, brown, blue, or black coatings, or a combination of these colors. Areas from which all of these minerals were removed because of long saturation periods become gray in color (also called soil gleying).