Georgia Residential Contractor Practice Exam

When sizing an absorption field, which parameter is critical in addition to soil percolation rate?

1. Total property size

2. Number of residents

3. Number of bedrooms

4. Septic tank age

The correct answer is: Number of bedrooms

When sizing an absorption field for a septic system, it's essential to understand that the number of bedrooms in a home directly impacts the design and capacity of the system. The number of bedrooms typically correlates with the potential number of residents and, therefore, the expected wastewater flow. More bedrooms usually equate to more occupants, which in turn means more wastewater generated. Since the absorption field must effectively handle this increased flow to prevent over-saturation and ensure proper filtration of effluent, accounting for the number of bedrooms is crucial. This parameter helps determine the size of the absorption area needed to function properly based on local health regulations and soil capacity. The other options, such as total property size, number of residents, and septic tank age, while relevant to some extent, do not specifically factor into the calculated requirements for the absorption field as prominently as the number of bedrooms does in establishing the necessary capacity for effective wastewater treatment. This understanding highlights the importance of ensuring adequate system sizing for sustainable and safe residential waste management.