Proper soakaway design is essential for effective drainage, flood prevention, and environmental sustainability. Here’s a detailed overview of soakaway design considerations:

Key Components of Soakaway Design

• Location Selection:
  • Choose an area with suitable soil permeability
  • Maintain a safe distance from buildings, foundations, septic tanks, and watercourses (typically 5–10 meters).
  • Avoid areas with high water tables or impermeable soils like clay
• Size and Capacity:
  • The size depends on the volume of water to be managed
  • Determine the approximate depth to a suitable permeable stratum
  • Drill the borehole
• Infiltration Test:
  • Conduct a percolation or infiltration test to determine the soil's absorption rate.
  • The infiltration rate helps confirm whether the soakaway will be effective and determine its size.
• Materials:
  • Gravel or Aggregate: Clean, coarse aggregate is used to create voids for water storage
  • PVC solid and perforated PVC well casing
  • Geotextile Membrane: Line the structure with a geotextile fabric to prevent soil and debris ingress while allowing water infiltration.
• Drainage Connection:
  • Connect roof gutters, stormwater pipes, or permeable surfaces to the soakaway using properly graded pipes to ensure smooth flow