The amount of water that can safely be applied to the least permeable soil in Ohio is 0.2 inch per day. Applying more than 0.2 inch may result in water puddling or running off the site rather than just wetting the plants and infiltrating into the soil.
Each gallon of water requires approximately 8 square feet of area to insure proper infiltration. Table 2 shows the irrigation area requirement for one to five bedroom homes. See Box 2 for conversions of gallons to square feet.
| Bedrooms | Gallons | Area (Square feet) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 120 | 962.5 |
| 2 | 240 | 1925 |
| 3 | 360 | 2887.5 |
| 4 | 480 | 3850 |
| 5 | 600 | 4812.5 |
|
Box 2. Conversion from Gallons to Square Feet
1 gal x 231 in³ = 231 in³
-------
gal
231 in³ = 1155 in²
-------
0.2 in
1155 in² x 0.0069444 ft² = 8.021 ft²
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in²
|
Example: Step 2
Home has three bedrooms. Wastewater volume = 360 gallons per day 360 x 8.021 ft = 2887.5 sq ft Land area requirement = 2887.5 sq ft |
Remember to provide for a 10-foot setback from property lines and buildings. Water irrigation area must be at least 50 feet from a well, pond, or stream. Avoid spraying vegetable gardens or roadways.
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