Infiltration testing, also known as permeability testing, is essential for understanding how water drains through your site’s soil. Councils often require this test to approve on-site stormwater disposal systems like absorption trenches or rain gardens. Ideal Geotech provides fast and reliable infiltration testing, complete with expert analysis and reporting that helps you meet compliance and move forward with confidence.
1.Understanding the Role of Infiltration Testing
Infiltration testing is a field-based investigation used to measure how quickly water can soak into the soil. The results of this test help engineers and designers assess whether stormwater can be absorbed on site and how best to manage runoff. When done early, infiltration testing supports accurate drainage design, ensures compliance with planning regulations and avoids expensive design errors down the track.
Across many councils in New South Wales and Queensland, infiltration testing is required for development applications involving on-site detention or disposal of stormwater. Whether you are designing an absorption trench, bioretention basin, rain garden or a broader stormwater management system, a permeability test is your starting point.
2. How Ideal Geotech Performs Infiltration Testing
At Ideal Geotech, our field technicians conduct infiltration testing using approved industry standards. We excavate a small test pit or borehole, saturate the surrounding soil, and observe how long it takes for water to infiltrate. Depending on your site and council requirements, we apply either the Constant Head or Falling Head method to calculate the infiltration rate.
After testing, we provide a detailed report that includes site description, soil conditions, test method, infiltration rate data, and interpretations suitable for use by hydraulic engineers and planners. Our reports are structured to meet the expectations of both local councils and design professionals.
3. What Can Go Wrong Without Testing
If infiltration capacity is assumed without testing, stormwater systems may be under- or over-designed. Poorly drained soil could lead to ponding, overflow or structural instability. On the other hand, highly permeable soil could cause systems to empty too quickly, reducing treatment time or failing to support vegetation in rain gardens.
From a compliance perspective, submitting a drainage design without infiltration testing may cause your DA to be delayed or rejected. Retrospective testing is often more expensive and can require system redesigns late in the approval process. In worst-case scenarios, failing systems after construction could result in rectification costs, EPA issues or reputational harm.
4. Why Ideal Geotech Is the Right Partner
Ideal Geotech is known for delivering reliable, professional testing and reporting that supports your full stormwater design process. We understand construction timeframes, council compliance, and the practical needs of engineers and builders.
We offer infiltration testing across a wide range of developments, from single dwellings and duplexes to commercial and infrastructure-scale projects. Our expertise extends to integrated geotechnical and environmental services, so we can also support your project with site classification, soil testing and more.
Clients choose us for our fast turnaround, transparent communication, and commitment to delivering quality outcomes that keep projects on track.
5. When You Need Infiltration Testing
You may need permeability testing when:
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Your stormwater system relies on absorption, bioretention or infiltration
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Council requires soil performance data to support DA or CC approval
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You are designing on-site detention or reuse systems
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The soil type is unknown or variable
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You are working in coastal, sandy or reactive soil zones
We perform infiltration testing across metropolitan and regional locations throughout New South Wales and Queensland, including Sydney, Brisbane and surrounding areas.
6. Final Word
Infiltration testing may be a small step in your project, but it plays a vital role in delivering safe, efficient and council-approved outcomes. With Ideal Geotech, you get the data, the insight and the support to design stormwater systems that work. Take control of your site today and build with confidence from the ground up.
