BRE365 Soakage Testing
H2Ogeo Ltd carries out BRE365 soakage testing, we follow the standard to the letter—but we also go further. Our testing is led by a hydrogeologist, which means every result is grounded in site-specific science, not just a stopwatch and a spreadsheet. The outcome? Drainage designs that stand up to scrutiny, smoother planning approvals and fewer surprises later.
What BRE365 Is (and What It Isn’t)
BRE365—formally Soakaway Design by the Building Research Establishment—sets out how to measure infiltration rates so engineers can size soakaways and infiltration systems correctly. It’s a robust framework, but it assumes the ground behaves neatly. In reality, geology rarely does.
That’s where hydrogeology matters.
Our Method: Standard-Compliant, Science-Led
At H2Ogeo, every test is planned and interpreted with the local ground model in mind. We:
Position test pits intelligently, informed by desk study, mapping, and site walkover—avoiding misleading results from made ground, perched layers, or anomalous pockets.
Excavate and test correctly, to BRE365 depths and procedures, with careful control of head measurements, and timing.
Interpret results scientifically, not mechanically—checking whether calculated infiltration rates actually make sense given the soil profile, structure, and moisture conditions observed on site.
Why a Hydrogeologist Adds Real Value
A hydrogeologist doesn’t just record how fast water disappears—we ask why. That perspective unlocks practical benefits:
Understanding variability: Clay lenses, chalk solution features, head deposits, and seasonal groundwater all influence infiltration. We identify these early and factor them in.
Credible risk assessment: In sensitive settings (e.g. Source Protection Zones), we assess pollutant pathways and travel times alongside infiltration capacity.
Planning-ready reporting: Our reports speak the language of LLFAs, LPAs, and the EA—clearly setting out assumptions, limitations, and confidence levels.
Better Outcomes for Design and Planning
Because our testing is rooted in hydrogeological reality, designers get defensible infiltration rates—often with realistic ranges rather than a single brittle number. That leads to:
Drainage strategies that are right-sized, not over-engineered.
Fewer planning conditions and fewer re-tests.
Greater confidence where infiltration is feasible—and honest advice where it isn’t.
The H2Ogeo Difference
BRE365 compliance is the baseline. What sets H2Ogeo apart is professional judgement, applied transparently and backed by evidence. When soakage testing is led by a hydrogeologist, it becomes more than a tick-box exercise—it becomes a reliable foundation for sustainable drainage.
If you need BRE365 soakage testing that planners trust and engineers can build on, speak to H2Ogeo.
