SOAK WAYS /FRENCH DRAIN

Also referred to as sub-irrigation systems for dispersal into the ground. These are constructed in different ways according to location but the preferred method is now a system of interlinked trenches. Design of a new soak way is subject to the results of porosity or percolation tests. Instead of using a soak pit which you do vertically deeper, exposing yourself with challenges like rocks, high water table and thus prove difficult to soak water and instead serve as a conservancy, be smart, use a French drain, the soil that soaks water is usually 5 to 6 Feet deep beyond that, it’s rare to get soil. So instead of going deeper, you go horizontal to take advantage of more soil surface area, do a channel not deeper than 6 feet but don’t go beyond the rock then go more length, put hardcore that don’t absorb water about 5 feet high, put a polythene paper then backfill with soil. Over it, you can do cabros; use as parking, drive way or plant grass over it.