A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...

Stormwater runoff is a significant planning issue because of its role in erosion, flooding, and nonpoint
source pollution. Once again, soil’s structure and texture determine the fate of infiltrating water as well as
the volume of air space between particles (allowing for greater infiltration rates). The less the infiltration
capacity, the more runoff carrying sediment, fertilizers, and pesticides, culminating in greater likelihood for
erosion, flooding and water quality degradation. Sediment can deliver nutrients to water bodies contributing
to algae growth, blocking sunlight, and endangering aquatic plants and wildlife.
Wastewater treatment achieved by septics, again relies on the infiltration capacity of soils. Utilizing the
same ground water as that which provides potable water, it is essential that these systems are located where
soil structures allow moderate vertical water movement. Adequate flow of effluent enables the needed
filtration, and biological and chemical treatment before reaching the water table.
Ideally soils should be unsaturated, have pores that are fine, yet large enough for oxidation. When soils are
either too coarse or saturated, mechanical and biological filtering are impeded, jeopardizing the interfacing
water table. The ensuing potential for health hazards is very real if the soils are not able to treat pathogens,
Nitrogen, Phosphorous, as well as other contaminants.
Plate 5 depicts areas which currently are, or are intended to be, sewered, with the balance of the area
representing septic reliance. Table 1 lists soils unsuitable for septic systems. Conversely, soils suitable for
septics in Morris County are illustrated on page 3-7 (Figure 2). All highlighted areas reflect both soils that
are suitable for septic systems as well as areas that are not currently, or planned to be, sewered.
Adrian: Ad
Alluvial land: Ae, Am
Barley: BaA, BaB
Biddeford: Bd
Boonton: BpC
Califon: CaA, CaB, CaC, CbB, CcB, CcC
Carlisle: Cm
Cokesbury: CoA, CoB, CsB
Edneyville: EdD
Ellington variant: ElB, ElC, ElD
Haledon: HaB, HaC
Hibernia: HbC, HlD
Holyoke: HoC, HrE
Klinesville: KlE
Made land: Ma
Minoa: MlA, MlB
Muck: Ms, Mu
Neshaminy: NfD
Otisville: OtD
Parker: PbD, PeD, PfE
Parsippany: Ph, Pk
Penn: PnB, PnC, PoD
Pompton: PtA, PtB
Preakness: Pva
Preakness variant: Pw
Reaville variant: ReB
Ridgebury: RgA, RlB
Rockaway: RrD, RsC, RsD, RsE
Rock outcrop: Rt, RvF
Turbotville: TuA, TuB
Urban land: Uh, Um, Un, UrD, Uw
Whippany: WhA, WhB, WlA, WlB
Whitman: Wm
Table One - Soils With Severe Limitations For Septic Tank Absorption Fields 3
3 U.S. Department of Agriculture. Soil Conservation Service. Soil Survey of Morris County,
New Jersey, Aug. 1976.
A Natural Resource Management Guide
for the County of Morris 37