Annex V: Clearance from WMA & Soil Test Report
1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 Societe “Rouillard Freres & Cie” is proposing to carry out a residential
development on a plot of land of an extent of about 48Ha, 3399m2(
114.52 A) situated at Sans Souci, in the District of Riviere Du Rempart.
The location plan of the proposed development is shown at Annex A.
1.2 The project would comprise inter alia of about 200 residential lots within
the morcellement. Part of the site on the western side, of an approximate
extent of about 7 A will be developed as town houses, apartments and
courtyards, which should accommodate an additional 100 reidential built
up units. A commercial area of 2000 – 3000 m2 as well as a boat yard
area will also form part of the different amenities. A preliminary layout
plan of the proposed morcellement is enclosed at Annex B.
1.3 In order to obtain the necessary EIA for proceeding with the proposed
morcellement from the Ministry of Environment, the clearance of the
Wastewater Management Authority (WMA) is being sought. Following
discussions and preliminary site visits conducted with officers of the
WMA, the latter has requested for some technical information such as
the depth of water table and the permeability of the soil to assess the
suitability of the proposed mode of disposal for domestic wastewater.
1.4 As per the WMA’s request, eleven trial pits of depths varying from 2m to
3m had been dug on the site in order to carry out these investigations.
These are shown on the layout plan given at Annex C.
2.0 DEPTH OF WATER TABLE AND SOIL INVESTIGATION
2.1 No water was observed in the bottom of the pits. Another pit was
therefore dug at the closest position to the sea (TP 12 on Annex C). In
this pit, the strata consisted exclusively of coral sand and the water table
was reached at a level of 3.3m.
2.2 A comprehensive logging of the soil strata of trial pits 1 to 11 is given at
Annex D.
2.3 It is well known that the soils of Mauritius is non homogenous but apart
from some difference in the thickness and organic content of the topsoil
layer as well as the extent of weathering of the basalt layer, the general
tendency of the strata in the different trial pits is a skeletal soil overlying
hummocky bedrock of varying weathering degree. In fact the soil belongs
to the Lithosols family.
3.0 PERCOLATION TESTS
3.1 Percolation tests have been designed to determine the suitability of the
soil for a subsurface sewage disposal system. More specifically, the
percolation test will measure the ability of the soil to absorb the effluent
discharged. The rate at which the effluent is absorbed is not only used to
calculate the surface area required for effective discharge of the effluent
but also indicates the degree of filtration and hence the degree of
treatment achieved.
3.2 Two percolation tests were carried out at the bottom of each trial pit. The
methodology adopted, based on BS Codes can be summarized as
follows:
a. A hole 300 x 300 mm square to a depth 250 mm was excavated at
the bottom of the pit.
b. A 50 mm layer of gravel (10 – 14 mm size) was placed at the
bottom of the base
c. The hole was filled with water and allowed to soak overnight
d. Some 3 hours before carrying out the test the hole was again filled
with water and allowed to drain out to achieve saturated conditions
e. The test was carried out by filling the hole with water and
recording the time taken for the water to drain through. This was
repeated three times.
3.3 Details of the results obtained and the corresponding computation of the
soil permeability is given at Annex E. Average soil permeabilities varying
from 99 mm/hr to 388 mm/hr were obtained. Photographs taken are
given at Annex F.
4.0 CIVIL ENGINEER’S CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 The soil survey has shown that the soil strata consist of a thin inorganic
soil overlying basaltic layers of varying degree of weathering. The water
table is beyond 3.0m and the results of the permeability test indicate that
the soil strata at 2m depth have very good permeability, within the range
of 50 to 500mm/hr.
4.2 Hence, from the results of the soil investigation, it can be concluded that
the soil characteristics are adequate for the setting up of an on-site
domestic wastewater system such as septic tank/absorption pit system.
Civil Engineer: …………………………. Date: 17/02/10
ANNEX A
ANNEX B
ANNEX C
ANNEX D1
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
LOGGING OF SOIL STRATA
TRIAL PIT 1 4.1m x 3.3m x 2.2m deep
Soil Depth (m) Soil Description
0.00 - 0.25 Topsoil
0.25 - 0.80 Weathered basalt
0.80 - 2.20 Thick layer of blue basalt
TRIAL PIT 2 4.7m x 2.8m x 2.3m deep
Soil Depth (m) Soil Description
0.00 - 0.30 Topsoil
Deeply weathered basalt with presence
0.30 - 2.30
of small boulders
TRIAL PIT 3 3.5m x 3.3m x 2.1m deep
Soil Depth (m) Soil Description
0.00 - 0.20 Topsoil
0.25 - 0.40 Layer of inorganic soil
0.40 - 0.80 Deeply weathered basalt
0.80 - 2.10 Thick basaltic layer
ANNEX D2
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
LOGGING OF SOIL STRATA
TRIAL PIT 4 4.1m x 1.9m x 2.1m deep
Soil Depth (m) Soil Description
0.00 - 0.20 Topsoil
Fractured basalt mixed with coral sand
0.20 - 1.10
deposit
1.10 - 2.10 Deeply weathered basalt layer
TRIAL PIT 5 4.3m x 3.1m x 2.0m deep
Soil Depth (m) Soil Description
0.00 - 0.40 Organic reddish brown topsoil
0.40 - 2.00 Layer of deeply fractured basalt
TRIAL PIT 6 3.4m x 2.4m x 2.1m deep
Soil Depth (m) Soil Description
0.00 - 0.20 Topsoil
0.20 - 0.90 Weathered basaltic layer
0.90 - 2.10 Blue basalt
ANNEX D3
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
LOGGING OF SOIL STRATA
TRIAL PIT 7 3.6m x 2.4m x 2.3m deep
Soil Depth (m) Soil Description
0.00 - 0.40 Topsoil
Previous topsoil organic layer with traces
0.40 - 0.90
of roots
Brown organic soil with minor basaltic
0.90 - 2.30
boulders
TRIAL PIT 8 4.3m x 3.2m x 3.0m deep
Soil Depth (m) Soil Description
0.00 - 0.50 Topsoil with vegetation
Thick layer of blue basalt with presence
0.50 - 3.00
of weathered boulders
TRIAL PIT 9 4.2m x 3.6m x 2.2m deep
Soil Depth (m) Soil Description
0.00 - 0.40 Reddish brown topsoil
0.40 - 1.30 Deeply weathered basaltic layer
1.30 - 2.20 Blue basalt
ANNEX D4
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
LOGGING OF SOIL STRATA
TRIAL PIT 10 4.6m x 3.7m x 3.0m deep
Soil Depth (m) Soil Description
0.00 - 0.40 Topsoil
0.40 - 1.30 Inorganic soil with small boulders
Reddish inorganic soil with large
1.30 - 3.00
boulders
TRIAL PIT 11 4.1m x 3.3m x 2.7m deep
Soil Depth (m) Soil Description
0.00 - 0.25 Topsoil
0.30 - 0.75 Inorganic soil layer
0.75 - 2.70 Weathered basalt layer
ANNEX E1
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
PERCOLATION TESTS RESULTS
TRIAL PIT 1
Dimension of trial pit: 4.1m x 3.3m x 2.2 m deep
Dimension of hole at bottom of trial pit: 300mm x 300mm x 250mm deep
PERCOLATION TEST No 1
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 84 min
Initial depth of water in hole 145 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 104 mm/hr
PERCOLATION TEST No 2
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 122 min
Initial depth of water in hole 190 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 93 mm/hr
AVERAGE PERMEABILITY OF THE SOIL AT TRIAL PIT 1 IS:
VA = (104 + 93)/2
VA = 99 mm/hr
ANNEX E2
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
PERCOLATION TESTS RESULTS
TRIAL PIT 2
Dimension of trial pit: 4.7m x 2.8m x 2.3 m deep
Dimension of hole at bottom of trial pit: 300mm x 300mm x 250mm deep
PERCOLATION TEST No 1
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 62 min
Initial depth of water in hole 235 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 227 mm/hr
PERCOLATION TEST No 2
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 46 min
Initial depth of water in hole 180 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 235 mm/hr
AVERAGE PERMEABILITY OF THE SOIL AT TRIAL PIT 2 IS:
VA = (227 + 235)/2
VA = 231 mm/hr
ANNEX E3
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
PERCOLATION TESTS RESULTS
TRIAL PIT 3
Dimension of trial pit: 3.5m x 3.3m x 2.1 m deep
Dimension of hole at bottom of trial pit: 300mm x 300mm x 250mm deep
PERCOLATION TEST No 1
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 43 min
Initial depth of water in hole 240 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 335 mm/hr
PERCOLATION TEST No 2
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 31 min
Initial depth of water in hole 170 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 329 mm/hr
AVERAGE PERMEABILITY OF THE SOIL AT TRIAL PIT 3 IS:
VA = (335 + 329)/2
VA = 332 mm/hr
ANNEX E4
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
PERCOLATION TESTS RESULTS
TRIAL PIT 4
Dimension of trial pit: 4.1m x 1.9m x 2.1 m deep
Dimension of hole at bottom of trial pit: 300mm x 300mm x 250mm deep
PERCOLATION TEST No 1
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 80 min
Initial depth of water in hole 155 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 116 mm/hr
PERCOLATION TEST No 2
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 103 min
Initial depth of water in hole 210 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 122 mm/hr
AVERAGE PERMEABILITY OF THE SOIL AT TRIAL PIT 4 IS:
VA = (116 + 122)/2
VA = 119 mm/hr
ANNEX E5
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
PERCOLATION TESTS RESULTS
TRIAL PIT 5
Dimension of trial pit: 4.3m x 3.1m x 2.0 m deep
Dimension of hole at bottom of trial pit: 300mm x 300mm x 250mm deep
PERCOLATION TEST No 1
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 50 min
Initial depth of water in hole 110 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 132 mm/hr
PERCOLATION TEST No 2
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 109 min
Initial depth of water in hole 230 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 127 mm/hr
AVERAGE PERMEABILITY OF THE SOIL AT TRIAL PIT 5 IS:
VA = (132 + 127)/2
VA = 130 mm/hr
ANNEX E6
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
PERCOLATION TESTS RESULTS
TRIAL PIT 6
Dimension of trial pit: 3.4m x 2.4m x 2.1 m deep
Dimension of hole at bottom of trial pit: 300mm x 300mm x 250mm deep
PERCOLATION TEST No 1
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 30 min
Initial depth of water in hole 195 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 390 mm/hr
PERCOLATION TEST No 2
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 39 min
Initial depth of water in hole 250 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 385 mm/hr
AVERAGE PERMEABILITY OF THE SOIL AT TRIAL PIT 6 IS:
VA = (390 + 385)/2
VA = 388 mm/hr
ANNEX E7
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
PERCOLATION TESTS RESULTS
TRIAL PIT 7
Dimension of trial pit: 3.6m x 2.4m x 2.3 m deep
Dimension of hole at bottom of trial pit: 300mm x 300mm x 250mm deep
PERCOLATION TEST No 1
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 28 min
Initial depth of water in hole 170 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 364 mm/hr
PERCOLATION TEST No 2
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 41 min
Initial depth of water in hole 235 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 344 mm/hr
AVERAGE PERMEABILITY OF THE SOIL AT TRIAL PIT 7 IS:
VA = (364 + 344)/2
VA = 354 mm/hr
ANNEX E8
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
PERCOLATION TESTS RESULTS
TRIAL PIT 8
Dimension of trial pit: 4.3m x 3.2m x 3.0 m deep
Dimension of hole at bottom of trial pit: 300mm x 300mm x 250mm deep
PERCOLATION TEST No 1
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 45 min
Initial depth of water in hole 200 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 267 mm/hr
PERCOLATION TEST No 2
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 34 min
Initial depth of water in hole 145 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 256 mm/hr
AVERAGE PERMEABILITY OF THE SOIL AT TRIAL PIT 8 IS:
VA = (267 + 256)/2
VA = 262 mm/hr
ANNEX E9
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
PERCOLATION TESTS RESULTS
TRIAL PIT 9
Dimension of trial pit: 4.2m x 3.6m x 2.2m deep
Dimension of hole at bottom of trial pit: 300mm x 300mm x 250mm deep
PERCOLATION TEST No 1
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 41 min
Initial depth of water in hole 250 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 366 mm/hr
PERCOLATION TEST No 2
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 24 min
Initial depth of water in hole 140 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 350 mm/hr
AVERAGE PERMEABILITY OF THE SOIL AT TRIAL PIT 9 IS:
VA = (366 + 350)/2
VA = 358 mm/hr
ANNEX E10
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
PERCOLATION TESTS RESULTS
TRIAL PIT 10
Dimension of trial pit: 4.6m x 3.7m x 3.0m deep
Dimension of hole at bottom of trial pit: 300mm x 300mm x 250mm deep
PERCOLATION TEST No 1
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 49 min
Initial depth of water in hole 200 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 245 mm/hr
PERCOLATION TEST No 2
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 59 min
Initial depth of water in hole 235 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 239 mm/hr
AVERAGE PERMEABILITY OF THE SOIL AT TRIAL PIT 10 IS:
VA = (245 + 239)/2
VA = 242 mm/hr
ANNEX E11
PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL MORCELLEMENT AT SANS SOUCI
PERCOLATION TESTS RESULTS
TRIAL PIT 11
Dimension of trial pit: 4.1m x 3.3m x 2.7m deep
Dimension of hole at bottom of trial pit: 300mm x 300mm x 250mm deep
PERCOLATION TEST No 1
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 76 min
Initial depth of water in hole 210 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 166 mm/hr
PERCOLATION TEST No 2
Time taken for complete infiltration of water 61 min
Initial depth of water in hole 160 mm
Percolation rate (V1 in mm/hr) 157 mm/hr
AVERAGE PERMEABILITY OF THE SOIL AT TRIAL PIT 11 IS:
VA = (166 + 157)/2
VA = 162 mm/hr
ANNEX F1
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 1
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 1
ANNEX F2
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 2
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 2
ANNEX F3
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 3
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 3
ANNEX F4
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 4
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 4
ANNEX F5
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 5
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 5
ANNEX F6
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 6
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 6
ANNEX F7
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 7
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 7
ANNEX F8
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 7
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 7
ANNEX F9
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 9
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 9
ANNEX F10
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 10
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 10
ANNEX F11
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 11
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 11
ANNEX F12
Excavated material from Trial Pit No 12
Soil Strata of Trial Pit No 12
