Assessing water infiltration

Infiltration is the process of water entry to the soil. This straightforward measure can indicate the health of your soil by highlighting compaction issues; the level of soil aggregation; and provide comparisons between areas of the farm that are managed differently.

High infiltration rates also indicate that a soil is more likely to cope with extreme weather events, as the soil can absorb bursts of heavy rainfall. Therefore, measuring soils and promoting good infiltration through management techniques can reduce runoff, improving water quality and reducing the risk of flooding.

Measure 5cm and 10cm from end of pipe and mark
Clear residue from the soil surface
Using the mallet and wood, drive the pipe into the soil surface, to the 5cm line
Pour water up to the 10cm line and start the timer
Record the time taken for the water to drain away
Repeat in areas under different management

This soil test replicates a rainfall event of 50mm. When carrying out the test, it is worth considering recent rainfall and how wet your soil is. Water infiltration is usually rapid when water is first applied, but begins to slow as the water in the soil increases.