HomeMy WebLinkAbout2560528 - F.I. Received Doc. - Site assessment reportSITE CHARACTERISATION FORM
COMPLETING THE FORM
Section 3.2 In this section use an underline _____ across all six columns to indicate the depth
at which changes in classification / characteristics occur.
Section 3.4 Lists supporting documentation required.
Section 4 Select the treatment systems suitable for this site and the discharge route.
Section 5 Indicate the system type that it is proposed to install.
Section 6 Provide details, as required, on the proposed treatment system.
Notes:
All calculations in this form are automatic.
Where possible information is presented in the form of drop down selection lists to
eliminate potential errors.
Variable elements are recorded by tick boxes. In all cases only one tick box should be
activated.
All time record fields must be entered in twenty four hour format as follows: HH:MM
All date formats are DD-MM-YYYY.
All other data fields are in text entry format.
This form can be printed out fully populated for submission with related documents and
for your files. It can also be submitted by email.
Step 1:
Goto Menu Item File, Save As and save the file under a reference relating to the
client or the planning application reference if available.
Use the Clear Form button to clear all information fields.
Note: This form requires the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
and on PC’s Windows 7 or later. Windows XP produces errors
in calculations RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
2.0 GENERAL DETAILS (From planning application)
Soil Type, (Specify Type):
Subsoil, (Specify Type):
Bedrock Type:
Aquifer Category: Regionally Important Locally Important Poor
Vulnerability: Extreme High Moderate Low
Groundwater Body: Status
Name of Public/Group Scheme Water Supply within 1 km:
Source Protection Area: ZOC SI SO Groundwater Protection Response:
Presence of Significant Sites
(Archaeological, Natural & Historical):
Past experience in the area:
Comments:
(Integrate the information above in order to comment on: the potential suitability of the site, potential targets at risk, and/or any potential site restrictions).
Note: Only information available at the desk study stage should be used in this section.
APPENDIX A: SITE CHARACTERISATION FORM
File Reference:
1.0 GENERAL DETAILS (From planning application)
Prefix: First Name: Surname:
Address: Site Location and Townland:
Number of Bedrooms: Maximum Number of Residents:
Comments on population equivalent
Proposed Water Supply:
Mains Private Well/Borehole Group Well/Borehole
Emma Finnigan
Lisdonny, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan
5
Till derived chiefly from lower palaeozoic rocks
Sandstone and shale till
Silurian Metasediments and Volcanics
4
None
Ms
Pl
4
Acceptable subject to normal good practice.
None
Unknown
R2¹
3 RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
3.0 ON-SITE ASSESSMENT
3.1 Visual Assessment
Landscape Position:
Slope: Steep (>1:5) Shallow (1:5-1:20) Relatively Flat (<1:20)
Slope Comment
Surface Features within a minimum of 250m (Distance To Features Should Be Noted In Metres)
Houses:
Existing Land Use:
Vegetation Indicators:
Groundwater Flow Direction:
Ground Condition:
Site Boundaries:
Flat ground
4
Dwelling house located 35 meters south/west
Agriculture
Grass
Unknown
Firm underfoot
Hedgerows with mature trees RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
3.0 ON-SITE ASSESSMENT
3.1 Visual Assessment (contd.)
Roads:
Outcrops (Bedrock And/Or Subsoil):
Surface Water Ponding:
Lakes:
Beaches/Shellfish Areas:
Wetlands:
Karst Features:
Watercourses/Streams:*
*Note and record water level
None within 50 meters
None
None
None within 250 meters
None
None
None
None RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
Comments:
(Integrate the information above in order to comment on: the potential suitability of the site, potential targets at risk, the suitability of the site to treat the wastewater
and the location of the proposed system within the site).
*Note and record water level
3.0 ON-SITE ASSESSMENT
3.1 Visual Assessment (contd.)
Drainage Ditches:*
Springs:*
Wells:*
None
None
None
No issues noted from on-site assesment RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
3.2 Trial Hole (should be a minimum of 2.1m deep (3m for regionally important aquifers))
Depth of trial hole (m):
Depth from ground surface Depth from ground surface
to bedrock (m) (if present): to water table (m) (if present):
Depth of water ingress: Rock type (if present):
Date and time of excavation: Date and time of examination:
Depth of
Surface and
Subsurface Soil/Subsoil
Percolation Texture & Plasticity and Soil Density/ Colour**** Preferential
Tests Classification** dilatancy*** Structure Compactness flowpaths
0.1 m
0.2 m
0.3 m
0.4 m
0.5 m
0.6 m
0.7 m
0.8 m
0.9 m
1.0 m
1.1 m
1.2 m
1.3 m
1.4 m
1.5 m
1.6 m
1.7 m
1.8 m
1.9 m
2.0 m
2.1 m
2.2 m
2.3 m
2.4 m
2.5 m
2.6 m
2.7 m
2.8 m
2.9 m
3.0 m
3.1 m
3.2 m
3.3 m
3.4 m
3.5 m
Likely Subsurface Percolation Value:
Likely Surface Percolation Value:
Note: *Depth of percolation test holes should be indicated on log above. (‘Enter Surface or Subsurface at depths as appropriate).
** See Appendix E for BS 5930 classification.
*** 3 samples to be tested for each horizon and results should be entered above for each horizon.
**** All signs of mottling should be recorded.
To avoid any accidental damage, a trial hole assessment or percolation tests should not be undertaken
in areas which are at or adjacent to significant sites, (e.g. NHAs, SACs, SPAs, and/or Archaeological
etc.), without prior advice from National Parks and Wildlife Service or the Heritage Service.
2.1
.6
na N/A
P-test
T-test
Clay
Clay
winter water table
level
------------------------------
Base of hole
------------------------------
Not Dilatent
Not Dilatent
winter water table
level
--------------------------
--------------------------
Granular
Granular
winter water
table level
---------------------
---------------------
Un-compact
Un-compact
winter water table level
---------------------------------
---------------------------------
Grass roots
winter water table level
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
32
15
10:0010:00
Brown
Brown
winter water
table level
--------------------
--------------------
11-Nov-2025 13-Nov-2025RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
3.3(a) Subsurface Percolation Test for Subsoil
x x x
3.2 Trial Hole (contd.) Evaluation:
Step 1: Test Hole Preparation
Percolation Test Hole 1 2 3
Depth from ground surface
to top of hole (mm) (A)
Depth from ground surface
to base of hole (mm) (B)
Depth of hole (mm) [B - A]
Dimensions of hole
[length x breadth (mm)]
Step 2: Pre-Soaking Test Holes
Pre-soak start Date
Time
2nd pre-soak Date
start Time
2 3
Each hole should be pre-soaked twice before the test is carried out.
Step 3: Measuring T10 0
Percolation Test Hole No. 1
Date of test
Time filled to 400 mm
Time water level at 300 mm
Time (min.) to drop 100 mm (T100 )
Average T100
If T100 > 480 minutes then Subsurface Percolation value >120 – site unsuitable for discharge to ground
If T100 ≤ 210 minutes then go to Step 4;
If T100 > 210 minutes then go to Step 5;
No Issues noted
400 400 400
800 800 800
400 400 400
300 300 300300 300300
12-Nov-2025 12-Nov-2025 12-Nov-2025
12-Nov-2025 12-Nov-2025 12-Nov-2025
09:30 09:30 09:30
17:0017:00 17:00
13-11-2025
09:30
10:32
13-11-2025 13-11-2025
09:30
10:41 10:27
09:30
3
62.00 71.00 57.00
63.33RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
Result of Test: Subsurface Percolation Value =
(min/25 mm)
Step 4: Standard Method (where T100 ≤ 210 minutes)
Percolation
Test Hole 1 2 3
Fill no. Start Finish ∆t (min) Start Finish ∆t (min) Start Finish ∆t (min)
Time Time Time Time Time Time
(at 300 (at 200 (at 300 (at 200 (at 300 (at 200
mm)mm)mm)mm)mm)mm)
1
2
3
Average ∆t
Value
Average ∆t/4 = Average ∆t/4 = Average ∆t/4 =
[Hole No.1](t1) [Hole No.2](t2) [Hole No.3](t3)
Result of Test: Subsurface Percolation Value = (min/25 mm)
Comments:
Comments:
Percolation
Test Hole No.1
Fall of water Time Start Finish Time Kfs T –
in hole (mm) Factor Time Time of fall = Tf Value
= Tf hh:mm hh:mm (mins) / Tm = 4.45
= Tm / Kfs
300 - 250 8.1
250 - 200 9.7
200 - 150 11.9
150 - 100 14.1
Average T- Value T- Value Hole 1 = (T1 )
Step 5: Modified Method (where T100 > 210 minutes)
Percolation
Test Hole No.2
Fall of water Time Start Finish Time Kfs T –
in hole (mm) Factor Time Time of fall = Tf Value
= Tf hh:mm hh:mm (mins) / Tm = 4.45
= Tm / Kfs
300 - 250 8.1
250 - 200 9.7
200 - 150 11.9
150 - 100 14.1
Average T- Value T- Value Hole 2 = (T2 )
Percolation
Test Hole No.3
Fall of water Time Start Finish Time Kfs T –
in hole (mm) Factor Time Tim§e of fall = Tf Value
= Tf hh:mm hh:mm (mins) / Tm = 4.45
= Tm / Kfs
300 - 250 8.1
250 - 200 9.7
200 - 150 11.9
150 - 100 14.1
Average T- Value T- Value Hole 3 = (T2)
10:32 11:36 64.00
11:36 12:41 65.00
12:41 13:49 68.00
65.67
10:41 11:53 72.00
11:53 13:07 74.00
13:07 14:22 75.00
73.67
10:27 11:28 61.00
11:28 12:32 64.00
12:32 13:39 67.00
64.00
T-test has passed with a result of 16.94
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
2
3
16.94
16.42 18.42 16.00
0.00
0.00 RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
3.3(b) Surface Percolation Test for Soil
Step 1: Test Hole Preparation
Percolation Test Hole 1 2 3
Depth from ground surface
to top of hole (mm)
Depth from ground surface
to base of hole (mm)
Depth of hole (mm)
Dimensions of hole
[length x breadth (mm)]
Step 2: Pre-Soaking Test Holes
Pre-soak start Date
Time
2nd pre-soak Date
start Time
Each hole should be pre-soaked twice before the test is carried out.
Step 3: Measuring T100
Percolation Test Hole No.
1 2 3
Date of test
Time filled to 400 mm
Time water level at 300 mm
Time to drop 100 mm (T100 )
Average T100
If T100 > 480 minutes then Surface Percolation value >90 – site unsuitable for discharge to ground
If T100 ≤ 210 minutes then go to Step 4;
If T100 > 210 minutes then go to Step 5;
x x x
0
400
400
0
400
400
0
400
400
300 300 300 300 300 300
12-Nov-2025
09:45
12-Nov-2025
17:30
12-Nov-2025
09:45
12-Nov-2025
17:30
12-Nov-2025
09:45
12-Nov-2025
17:30
13-Nov-25
10:00
10:35
13-Nov-25
10:00
10:27
13-Nov-2025
10:00
10:31
3
35.00 27.00 31.00
31.00RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
Step 4: Standard Method (where T100 ≤ 210 minutes)
Percolation
Test Hole 1 2 3
Fill no. Start Finish ∆T (min) Start Finish ∆T (min) Start Finish ∆T (min)
Time Time Time Time Time Time
(at 300 (at 200 (at 300 (at 200 (at 300 (at 200
mm)mm)mm)mm)mm)mm)
1
2
3
Average ∆T
Value
Average ∆T/4 = Average ∆T/4 = Average ∆T/4 =
[Hole No.1](T1 ) [Hole No.2](T2 ) [Hole No.3](T3 )
Result of Test: Surface Percolation Value = (min/25 mm)
Comments:
(min/25 mm)
Comments:
Percolation
Test Hole No.1
Fall of water Time Start Finish Time Kfs T –
in hole (mm) Factor Time Time of fall = Tf Value
= Tf hh:mm hh:mm (mins) / Tm = 4.45
= Tm / Kfs
300 - 250 8.1
250 - 200 9.7
200 - 150 11.9
150 - 100 14.1
Average T- Value T- Value Hole 1 = (T1 )
Step 5: Modified Method (where T100 > 210 minutes)
Percolation
Test Hole No.2
Fall of water Time Start Finish Time Kfs T –
in hole (mm) Factor Time Time of fall = Tf Value
= Tf hh:mm hh:mm (mins) / Tm = 4.45
= Tm / Kfs
300 - 250 8.1
250 - 200 9.7
200 - 150 11.9
150 - 100 14.1
Average T- Value T- Value Hole 2 = (T2 )
Result of Test: Surface Percolation Value =
Percolation
Test Hole No.3
Fall of water Time Start Finish Time Kfs T –
in hole (mm) Factor Time Time of fall = Tf Value
= Tf hh:mm hh:mm (mins) / Tm = 4.45
= Tm / Kfs
300 - 250 8.1
250 - 200 9.7
200 - 150 11.9
150 - 100 14.1
Average T- Value T- Value Hole 3 = (T2)
P-test has passed with a result of 8.94
11:12 37.00
11:12 11:51 39.00
11:51 12:31 40.00
38.67
10:27 10:57 30.00
10:57 11:32 35.00
11:32 12:08 36.00
33.67
10:31 11:04 33.00
11:04 11:39 35.00
11:39 12:16 37.00
35.00
10:35
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
3
2
9.67 8.42 8.75
8.94
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
3.4 The following associated Maps, Drawings and Photographs should be appended to this site
characterisation form.
1 The calculated percolation area or polishing filter area should be set out accurately on the site layout drawing in accordance with the code
of practice’s requirements.
1. Discovery Series 1:50,000 Map
indicating overall drainage,
groundwater flow direction and
housing density in the area.
2. Supporting maps for vulnerability,
aquifer classification, soil, subsoil,
bedrock.
3. North point should always be included.
4.(a) Scaled sketch of site showing
measurements to Trial Hole location
and
(b)Percolation Test Hole locations,
(c) wells and
(d) direction of groundwater flow
(if known),
(e) proposed house (incl. distances from
boundaries)
(f)adjacent houses,
(g)watercourses,
(h)significant sites
(i)and other relevant features.
5. Site specific cross sectional drawing
of the site and the proposed layout1
should be submitted.
6. Photographs of the trial hole, test holes
and site including landmarks (date and
time referenced).
7. Pumped design must be designed by a
suitably qualified person.RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
Integrate the information from the desk study and on-site assessment (i.e. visual assessment, trial hole and
percolation tests) above and conclude the type of system(s) that is (are) appropriate. This information is also used
to choose the optimum final disposal route of the treated wastewater.
Slope of proposed infiltration / treatment area:
Are all minimum separation distances met?
Depth of unsaturated soil and/or subsoil beneath invert of gravel
(or drip tubing in the case of drip dispersal system)
Percolation test result: Surface: Sub-surface:
Not Suitable for Development Suitable for Development
Identify all suitable options Discharge Route 1
1.Septic tank system (septic tank and
percolation area) (Chapter 7)
2.Secondary Treatment System
(Chapters 8 and 9) and soil polishing filter
(Section 10.1)
3.Tertiary Treatment System and Infiltration /
treatment area (Section 10.2)
4.0 CONCLUSION of SITE CHARACTERISATION
5.0 SELECTED DWWTS
Propose to install:
and discharge to:
Invert level of the trench/bed gravel or drip tubing (m)
Site Specific Conditions (e.g. special works, site improvement works testing etc.
1 A discharge of sewage effluent to “waters” (definition includes any or any part of any river, stream, lake, canal, reservoir, aquifer, pond, watercourse or other
inland waters, whether natural or artificial) will require a licence under the Water Pollution Acts 1977-90. Refer to Section 2.4.
16.94
Ground water
114.15
Due to the high water table level it is advised that suitable soil be imported and a raised bed be formed in order to achieve
adequate separation distance between invert lever of percolation pipes and the water table level.
1/200
4
1.20
4
Tertiary Treatment System and Infiltration /treatment area
Ground Water
No
Yes
Yes
8.94 RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
SYSTEM TYPE: Septic Tank Systems (Chapter 7)
Tank Capacity (m3) Percolation Area Mounded Percolation Area
No. of Trenches No. of Trenches
Length of Trenches (m) Length of Trenches (m)
Invert Level (m) Invert Level (m)
SYSTEM TYPE: Secondary Treatment System (Chapters 8 and 9) and polishing filter (Section 10.1)
Secondary Treatment Systems receiving septic tank effluent Packaged Secondary
(Chapter 8) Treatment Systems
receiving raw wastewater
(Chapter 9)
Media Type Area (m2)* Depth of Filter Invert Level Type
Sand/Soil
Soil Capacity PE
Constructed Wetland Sizing of Primary Compartment
Other m3
Polishing Filter*: (Section 10.1)
Surface Area (m2)*
Option 1 - Direct Discharge
Surface area (m2)
Option 2 - Pumped Discharge
Surface area (m2)
DISCHARGE ROUTE:
Groundwater Hydraulic Loading Rate * (l/m2.d) Surface area (m2)
Surface Water ** Discharge Rate (m3/hr)
6.0 TREATMENT SYSTEM DETAILS
* Hydraulic loading rate is determined by the percolation rate of subsoil
** Water Pollution Act discharge licence required
Identify purpose of tertiary
treatment
Option 3 - Gravity Discharge
Trench length (m)
Option 4 - Low Pressure
Pipe Distribution
Trench length (m)
Option 5 - Drip Dispersal
Surface area (m2)
SYSTEM TYPE: Tertiary Treatment System and infiltration / treatment area (Section 10.2)
Provide performance information
demonstrating system will provide
required treatment levels
Provide design information
O'Reilly Oakstown BAF 6PE
6
3.60
4 RECEIVED: 11/08/2026
Company:
Prefix: First Name: Surname:
Address:
Qualifications/Experience:
Date of Report:
Phone: E-mail
Indemnity Insurance Number:
Signature: ________________________________________
7.0 SITE ASSESSOR DETAILS
6.0 TREATMENT SYSTEM DETAILS
QUALITY ASSURANCE:
Installation & Commissioning
On-going Maintenance
By suitably qualified installer.
Client to enter into yearly maintenace agreement with suitably qualified contractor
Horizon Group
Terence Duffy
Market Square, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan
C. Build E MCABE, Registered Building Surveyor, Certified Site Suitability Assesor
0876640932 ted.duffy@horizon-group.ie
API0004253
Ted Duffy Digitally signed by Ted Duffy
Date: 2026.08.11 16:41:41
+01'00'
24-Jul-2026
Mr RECEIVED: 11/08/2026