To obtain reproducible results with a soil percolation test, what should be done before the test?

To achieve reproducible results in a soil percolation test, it is essential to properly prepare the test site to ensure that moisture conditions are consistent. Soaking the hole with water prior to conducting the test helps to simulate conditions that are more natural for soil percolation, particularly in areas where groundwater or surface water may influence infiltration rates.

By saturating the soil, the test helps to assess how quickly water can percolate through the soil as it would under natural conditions following rainfall or irrigation. This step also helps eliminate any inconsistencies due to dry soil, which may absorb water at varying rates, thus affecting the test results.

Leaving the hole empty would not provide adequate conditions for testing, as it would not accurately reflect the water infiltration capacity of the soil. Covering the hole with a tarp would restrict water from entering and may alter the natural percolation process. Allowing the hole to dry out completely would lead to unreliable results because the soil would not be tested in a saturated state, again failing to mimic real-world conditions for water movement through the soil.