Soil and perc tests in Rowan County, North Carolina

USDA rates most of the soil in Rowan County Very limited for septic absorption fields — 54.6% of the rated acres. No USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-10-05

Very limited

USDA rating, 54.6% of rated acres

checked 2026-10-05

Slow water movement

Most common limiting reason

checked 2026-10-05

Yes

Site evaluation required

checked 2026-09-23

What is a perc test and does Rowan County require one?

The rule does not require a percolation test.

N.C. Department of Health and Human Services — On-Site Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23

How USDA rates the ground in Rowan County

Very limited across most of the county — 54.6% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.

Very limited — 162,411 acres — 54.6% of 297,494 rated acres.
Somewhat limited — 135,083 acres — 45.4% of 297,494 rated acres.
Not rated — 13,933 acres, excluded from the denominator — mostly urban land and water.

54.6% of 297,494 rated acres. 13,933 acres unrated. Survey area NC159 version 25, established 2026-08-31.

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-10-05

What limits absorption here

The reasons USDA gives for the rating, by the acres they affect. A component can carry several, so the acres overlap.

Slow water movement — 288,833 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Slope — 82,417 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Seepage, bottom layer — 50,760 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Depth to saturated zone — 46,524 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Depth to bedrock — 35,977 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Flooding — 30,015 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Large stones — 198 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.

Ratings by soil map unit

The largest map units in the county, each with its rating. A soil survey names the ground. The county's evaluation of your lot is what a permit turns on.

CeB2 — Cecil sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded — 57,952 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Cecil (88% of the map unit).
ChA — Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded — 25,138 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Chewacla (90% of the map unit).
EnB — Enon fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes — 19,766 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Enon (85% of the map unit).
LdB2 — Lloyd clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded — 18,943 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Lloyd (90% of the map unit).
PcB2 — Pacolet sandy clay loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded — 18,936 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Pacolet (85% of the map unit).
PcC2 — Pacolet sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded — 17,508 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Pacolet (85% of the map unit).
PaD — Pacolet sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes — 12,688 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Pacolet (85% of the map unit).
CeC2 — Cecil sandy clay loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, moderately eroded — 12,048 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Cecil (92% of the map unit).

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-10-05

Sources

Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.

Rowan County — On-Site Waste Water Program · checked 2026-10-05
Rowan County Environmental Health Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2026 · checked 2026-10-05
N.C. Department of Health and Human Services — On-Site Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23
Rowan County — Apply · checked 2026-10-05
Rowan County — NC Septic System Permitting Process · checked 2026-10-05
Guilford County — On-site Wastewater · checked 2026-09-23
USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-10-05

Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here before you spend money on it. Call the Rowan County Health Department, Environmental Health Section, on 704-216-8525.