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Soakaway
Testing

Infiltration testing to BRE Digest 365 for soakaway design and planning applications. Fast, accurate results to support your drainage proposals — anywhere in the UK.

BRE Digest 365
Planning Applications
Drainage Design
SuDS
UK-Wide
BRE Digest 365
Standard Used
Same Day
Results Available
Planning Ready
Report Format
UK-Wide
Coverage
About This Service

Know Whether Your Ground
Can Take a Soakaway

Soakaway testing — carried out to BRE Digest 365 — assesses the infiltration capacity of the ground at a proposed soakaway location. Before you can design a soakaway for surface water drainage, you need to know how quickly water drains into the ground at your specific site. That's what this test tells you.

The test is carried out by excavating a trial pit to the proposed soakaway depth, filling it with water and recording the rate at which the water level drops. This gives the infiltration rate (f) of the ground — the key design parameter for BRE Digest 365 soakaway design. Without this figure, you cannot size a soakaway correctly.

Most local planning authorities and drainage engineers require soakaway test results to be carried out to BRE Digest 365 before they will accept drainage proposals. GeoPrime Solutions carry out tests to this standard and provide a clear written report with all the data and calculated infiltration rates needed for your drainage design submission.

Multiple tests at different locations on the same site can usually be completed within a single day, making soakaway testing a quick and cost-effective way to get the information your project needs to move forward.

When You Need It
  • Planning applications requiring drainage details
  • New residential development drainage design
  • Commercial development drainage proposals
  • SuDS drainage scheme design
  • Permitted development works requiring soakaways
  • Highway drainage design
  • Replacement soakaway installation
  • Local authority drainage approval submissions
SOAK
The Process

How BRE365 Soakaway
Testing Works

01
Pit Excavation
A trial pit is excavated at the proposed soakaway location to the required depth. The pit dimensions are recorded and the soil profile is logged throughout excavation.
02
Pre-Saturation
The pit is filled with water and allowed to drain to pre-saturate the ground. This is repeated as required by BRE Digest 365 to ensure the test is carried out under representative conditions.
03
Infiltration Test
The pit is filled to the required level and the drop in water level is recorded at regular intervals until the pit is empty. The test is repeated at least three times as required by BRE Digest 365.
04
Report & Results
The infiltration rate (f) is calculated from the test data and presented in a clear written report to BRE Digest 365, ready for submission to your drainage engineer or local planning authority.
Applications

Where Soakaway Testing
is Required

Housing
Residential developments of all scales where surface water drainage to soakaway is proposed and planning approval is required.
Commercial
Commercial and industrial developments where soakaways or infiltration SuDS features are proposed as part of the drainage strategy.
Highway Drainage
Highway and access road drainage schemes where infiltration to soakaway is the preferred or only practicable disposal route for surface water.
SuDS Features
Infiltration basins, swales, permeable paving and other SuDS drainage features where infiltration rate data is required for design.
Renewables
Solar farm and wind energy development drainage schemes in rural locations where connection to public sewers is not practical.
Extensions
Residential extensions and outbuildings where new hard surfaces require drainage and a soakaway is the proposed disposal method.
GeoPrime Solutions

The Right Data.
First Time.

BRE Digest 365 testing carried out correctly, reported clearly — giving your drainage design the solid foundation it needs.

Why Choose Us

Why GeoPrime for Soakaway Testing

Planning-Ready Reports
Our soakaway test reports are presented in a clear, professional format that meets BRE Digest 365 requirements and is accepted by local planning authorities and drainage engineers across the UK.
Fast Turnaround
Multiple tests at different locations on the same site can usually be completed in a single day. We understand that planning timescales are tight — we work to your programme.
Combined Programmes
Soakaway testing can be combined with trial pitting, window sampling or other ground investigation on the same site visit, saving cost and time on your investigation programme.
Other Services

Related Services

Trial & Hand Pitting
CBR & Plate Bearing Testing
Window Sampling & Dynamic Probing
Cable Percussive Drilling
Ground Penetrating Radar
Geothermal Drilling
Common Questions

Frequently Asked
Questions

Soakaway testing to BRE Digest 365 assesses the infiltration capacity of the ground at a proposed soakaway location by recording the rate at which water drains from a filled trial pit. The results are used to design soakaways for surface water drainage.
BRE Digest 365 is the standard UK guidance document for soakaway design, setting out the method for carrying out infiltration tests and using the results to design soakaways. Most planning authorities require tests to be carried out to this standard.
When you are planning to use a soakaway for surface water drainage — typically as part of a planning application. Most local authorities require soakaway test results before approving drainage proposals.
If the ground has insufficient infiltration capacity, alternative drainage solutions will need to be considered — such as connection to a surface water sewer, attenuation storage or other SuDS features. We will advise on the implications of the results for your drainage design.
A BRE Digest 365 soakaway test typically takes several hours including pre-saturation and the test itself. Multiple tests at different locations can usually be completed in a single day.
SOAKAWAY

Need a Soakaway Test
for Your Site?

Call us or send an enquiry — we respond fast.

07541 553837
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