Questions and answers
Straight answers.
Including the ones where the honest answer is “not yet”.
The device
Can I buy the Percometer now?
Not yet as a finished product. The Percometer is in development: its design is complete and its firmware is written, and the first prototypes are next. Order requests are open now — we reply by email with availability, pricing and lead time, and nothing is committed until you confirm.
What exactly does it measure?
The distance from its sensor down to the water surface inside a 3-inch pipe that stands on the bottom of the test hole. Because the sensor face is a fixed 25 inches above the hole bottom, the depth of water left follows directly from each reading. Air temperature in the pipe is measured too, to correct the speed of sound.
How accurate is it?
That has not been measured yet, so we do not quote a figure. Accuracy and repeatability will be established by bench tests in a pipe against a reference, then by side-by-side field tests. The results will be published on the status page.
Does it replace the person running the test?
No. Someone still prepares and presoaks the hole, sets the Percometer up and judges whether the test is sound. The device takes over the waiting and the reading, and keeps an exact record of both.
Can water be added during a test?
Yes — topping up is normal. The device keeps logging, flags a rise of 0.5 inch or more as “water rose”, and measures later rates from the new level. Percolation Manager marks the row REFILL and keeps the hole in one table.
How many tests does it hold?
34 one-hour tests at the default settings (a reading every 5 minutes). Shorter intervals use more space. The memory is never overwritten automatically: it must be read and then erased deliberately.
How is the Percometer powered?
A rechargeable single-cell lithium-polymer pack, charged over USB-C with the lid off. Battery life has not been measured yet.
The software
What does Percolation Manager need?
A Windows PC. AutoCAD is needed on the same PC to produce the drawing; Word is not needed to produce the memorandum. No internet connection, account or licence server is involved.
Can I use the software without the Percometer?
Yes. It reads saved CSV files in the device's export format, and deep test pit logs are typed in. Every value in the tables can also be typed over.
Which rules does it follow?
The Connecticut DPH Technical Standards for subsurface sewage disposal: final rates above the bottom 3 inches, design percolation rate by class, and MLSS from the hydraulic, flow and percolation factors. If your jurisdiction works differently, tell us.
Can I change a value it calculated?
Yes, any of them. A typed value is printed exactly as typed, marked TYPED OVER on screen, and the software's own value can be restored with one click.
What drawing format does it produce?
SOIL TESTS sheets drawn by AutoCAD itself into the template: per lot, the deep test pit logs, percolation tables, the MLSS requirements table and a notes box, six lots to a sheet. If your office has its own sheet standards, tell us about them.
Ordering and support
How does ordering work?
Send an order request. We confirm it by email, then reply with availability, pricing and lead time. Quotes, purchase orders, tax-exempt status and vendor registration are arranged by email. No payment is taken on this website.
Do you work with public agencies?
Yes. Health departments, districts and municipalities can request formal quotes and complete vendor registration through organizational purchasing.
Is there an online account or portal?
Not yet. A customer area for device records, project access and support is planned.
How do I get help?
Use the support form. Include the Percometer's lot and test labels, if the question is about a particular job.
Next step
Ask us directly.
If your question is not here, send it. Every message is answered by email.