Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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.
| 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 |
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.