The movement of water through soil and the unsaturated zone into and through the pores of materials in the zone of saturation. Groundwater is recharged by this movement of water through the unsaturated zone. From a soil science perspective, percolation refers to the drainage of initially wetted areas of soil and movement of water beyond the rooting zone of plants toward the water table. Sanitarians commonly use percolation, however, in reference to results of the common soil test, known as the Perk test, which evaluates the rate at which soils accept water. The rate water moves into the soil is referred to as percolation.

See Also

Aquifer; Aquifer Restoration; Drinking Water Supply; Recharge Zone; Vadose Zone; Water Table Draw-Down