San German Area, Southwestern Puerto Rico

Survey Area PR787• Puerto Rico

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 Aridisols — dry-climate soils with limited organic matter and often calcium carbonate accumulation. 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 San German Area, Southwestern Puerto Rico. 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	15K			Not rated	Not rated
Caguabo clay loam, 20 to 60 percent slopes	13K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Descalabrado clay, 20 to 60 percent slopes	12K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
El Cacique-La Taina complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes, very stony	12K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Mucara loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Pitahaya-Limestone outcrop-Seboruco complex, 40 to 60 percent slopes	8K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Fraternidad clay, 0 to 2 perecent slopes	5K	Moderately well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Malaya clay, 20 to 60 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
San German-Duey complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Costa-Pitahaya complex, 20 to 60 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Descalabrado clay, 12 to 20 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Toa clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	4K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Aguirre clay, occasionally ponded, 0 to 2 percent slopes	4K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Guanica clay, occasionally ponded, 0 to 2 percent slopes	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Coloso clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded	4K	Somewhat poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Altamira gravelly clay, 2 to 20 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Somewhat limited
Mucara loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Quebrada clay loam, 40 to 60 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Manglillo, Boqueron and Serrano soils, very frequently flooded	3K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Agueybana clay, 12 to 60 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	C	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.

Aridisols

Dry-climate soils with low organic matter. Often have caliche layers that make excavation difficult. Low shrink-swell is good for foundations.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Inceptisols

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

Ultisols

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

Alfisols

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

Oxisols

Deeply weathered tropical soils. Nutrient-poor despite appearing lush. Rare in the continental US.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 87% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 84% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

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.