Humacao Area, Puerto Rico Eastern Part
The most common soil here is Pandura, on about 4% of the land: a loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Descalabrado and Caguabo come next.
About 27% of the land drains well, and 8% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 7% of it.
USDA rates 38% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 36% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 21% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Humacao Area, Puerto Rico Eastern Part, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Humacao Area, Puerto Rico Eastern Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 580K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Caguabo clay loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pandura loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock land | 16K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Guayama and Descalabrado soils, 20 to 60 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mucara silty clay loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes, eroded | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pandura loam, 12 to 40 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Urban land | 14K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Descalabrado-Rock Outcrop complex, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Not Public Information | 13K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rubble land-Pandura complex, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Los Guineos clay, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tidal swamp | 11K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Descalabrado clay loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Coloso silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Teja gravelly sandy loam, 12 to 40 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vieques loam, 12 to 40 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sabana silty clay loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sabana silty clay loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Naranjito silty clay loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 36% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 38% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.