What is the primary purpose of assessing soil profiles in septic system design?

The primary purpose of assessing soil profiles in septic system design is to ensure proper absorption field sizing. Understanding the soil's characteristics is critical in determining how well it can absorb and treat the effluent from a septic system. Different soil types have varying drainage capacities, permeability rates, and retention characteristics, which directly affect the size and layout of the absorption field required to effectively manage wastewater.

A proper assessment helps to avoid issues like system failure and groundwater contamination, ensuring that the septic system functions efficiently within the limitations of the existing soil conditions. This assessment informs how much area is needed for the absorption field to prevent over-saturation and related environmental issues.

While other options, such as evaluating agricultural potential or assessing potential contamination, may relate to soil assessments in other contexts, they do not specifically address the immediate goals tied to septic system design, which primarily focus on absorption capacity and system sizing. Similarly, determining soil type for construction can be relevant but is more concerned with structural integrity than with absorption field requirements.