Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Survey Area PA101• Pennsylvania

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Ultisols — strongly weathered soils with clay-enriched subsoils, common in warm humid climates. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map Unit	Acres	Drainage	Hydro Group	Dwellings	Septic
Urban land	48K			Not rated	Not rated
Urban land-Chester complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	21K			Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Water	5K			Not rated	Not rated
Urban land-Howell complex	4K			Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Urban land-Chester complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes	2K			Very limited	Very limited
Manor and Chester extremely stony loams, 25 to 50 percent slopes	1K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Manor loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	1K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Manor loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	888	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Chester silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	837	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Hatboro silt loam	771	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Manor extremely stony loam, 8 to 25 percent slopes	757	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Manor loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes	709	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Urban land-Udorthents, schist and gneiss complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	703			Somewhat limited	Somewhat limited
Duncannon silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes	576	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Marsh	437	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rowland silt loam	385	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Duncannon silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes	300	Well drained	B	Not limited	Somewhat limited
Urban land-Gladstone complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	152			Not limited	Not limited
Chester silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes	148	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Hatboro-Codorus complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes, frequently flooded	113	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited

Soil Orders in This Area

The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.

Ultisols

Strongly weathered clay soils of the Southeast. Acidic and naturally low in nutrients. Clay subsoil can slow drainage.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Alfisols

Moderately weathered forest soils with clay-enriched subsoil. Productive for agriculture, generally good for building and septic.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.

Septic Systems

Most soils are reasonably suitable for conventional septic systems, though site-specific conditions always matter. Get a perc test to confirm.

Gardening & Agriculture

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.