LARGO, MD-- Wet season percolation (PERC) testing for Prince George’s County will begin today, JANUARY 4, 2010 due to adequate soil saturation levels.

PERC testing is required for any property that is not going to be served by public sewer and before any septic system or on-site sewage disposal system can be installed.

If you plan to build on undeveloped property in Prince George's County and your property is unable to be served by public sewer; you must apply to the Prince George's County Health Department to conduct PERC testing.

Application processing is handled on a first-come, first-served basis.  The fee for testing is $170.00 per lot. Since the County had an abbreviated wet season or no wet season at all during 2008 and 2009, percolation testing applications received by the Health Department during those two years, will be processed this wet season.  Reapplication for these lots is not needed unless additional lots are being tested that were not indicated in the previous applications.  In order for a percolation test to be conducted, an application must be submitted and processed by the Division of Environmental Health of the Prince George’s County Health Department. Application fees are only accepted between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Please note that obtaining a satisfactory percolation test is not the only requirement in the process of developing a piece of land.  Other county zoning and building requirements must be met as well

Soil saturation levels will continue to be monitored to determine the duration of wet season for this coming year.     

For further information, or to obtain an application to perform PERC testing, please write or visit the Prince George's County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health, 9201 Basil Court, Room 318, Largo, Maryland 20774-5310, call 301-883-7681, weekdays between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

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