COURSE RESOURCE & REFERENCE PAGE
Please bookmark the link to this web page: dynamicmonitors.com/pei-course-2023
With 25+ people in the course we cannot personally call or text every attendee. So group emails and this web page will be used to issue updates and communicate about the course.
Please bookmark this page and check it and your emails every morning and evening for any updates on weather issues or correspondence about the course.
New updates will be added to the top of this page.
Exam on Weds is Open Book
The exam is open book, meaning you can and should bring your binder, field reference handouts, and if you want, a laptop or tablet with all your downloaded files on it. You should also bring a calculator, pencil, eraser, pen. I will have a few extra copies of the Soil Survey on hand. I will have water bottles for the texture classification part of the exam.
If you are emailing me your assignment…
If you are emailing your assignment, make sure you put your full name in any file names. Email to
Also, I would prefer that you send just one email with the entire package with all the documents for both of your lots, to avoid me having to hunt around and piece together your assignment from several different emails which could result in something getting missed!
A PDF file or files attached to an email with just the pages that apply (not all the extra example pages or blank forms) would be appreciated!
Alternatively, you can print off a copy of all the documents and hand in the package on exam day.
New! Updated Standard Submission Documents for Site Suitability Assessments
June 27 – The Lands Division of the PEI Department of Housing, Land and Communities sent me updated Section H Standard Submission Documents with the latest Site Suitability Assessment Registration form, Septic Disposal System & Site Sketch Grid forms that they are currently using. You can still use the older forms for your assignment if you prefer, however the newest Registration form is a bit simpler and asks for less information.
Tuesday, June 27 – optional extra help day at Rodd Royalty Hotel
Kelly will be at the Rodd Royalty Hotel (Crowbush Room downstairs, same room as before) from 9am to 4pm apart from a lunch break from 12 noon to 1pm. Come and work on your site assessment assignment, get extra help, and get things clarified before the exam on Weds. morning. Drop in/out as you see fit.
If you have samples from the Darnley site that you want assistance with texture-by-feel classification, bring those along. Kelly will also have the lab tested samples from the practice session on texture-by-feel from last Weds.
Site Assessment Assignment Clarifications
The Site Assessment assignment is just for the Darnley site. It is worth 30% of your overall course mark.
You may hand in a hard copy as late as Weds. morning before the exam or deliver it to Kelly’s office in the Stratford Business Park (Google Map) before 5pm on Weds, June 28. You can also email me your assignment or send links to your files (in one email please) by 5pm Weds. June 28 if you prefer. Send them to
If you are emailing your assignment, make sure you put your full name in any file names. Also, I would prefer that you send just one email with the entire package with all the documents for both of your lots, to avoid me having to hunt around and piece together your assignment from several different emails! PDF file(s) with just the pages that apply (not all the extra example pages or blank forms) would be appreciated!
NOTE: Assume the assessment was done for the purpose of lot categorization only (not for an on-site sewage disposal permit), and the size of the dwelling (number of bedrooms) is not known at this time. Therefore, you should fill out the Registration Form, Section A for Site Suitability Assessment but you DO NOT need to fill in Section B – Sewage Disposal System Information or provide any information about the septic system for the assignment.
Treat each test pit location as a separate lot that you categorized. So you should have 1 test pit record and 2 permeability test records for each location, plus the other Standard Submission forms. For the test pit and permeability test records you can either use the government forms or ETC’s forms.
You should recommend a category for each lot (test pit site) that you assessed. Depending on which two lots you assessed and the test pit and permeability results, they could possibly end up being different categories.
One Soil Map (i.e. from Land Online) and one Site Plan (with north arrow) is adequate if it shows both lots that you assessed.
If there is any information that you don’t have for the Registration Form such as property owner name, license #, case #, development permit #, etc., just make it up. e.g. John Doe, license #1234567, case #1234567, etc.
NEW! Fillable Permeameter Test Record Spreadsheet Forms
June 26, 2023 – I received a request for a fillable permeameter test form. So below is one in Google Sheets format and the second is in MicroSoft Excel format. You can download these and save them on your computer if you wish to use these rather than just submitting them handwritten.
Note, there are formulas in column F which will calculate the Rate of Fall/Flow for you as long as you have numbers in spreadsheet columns C and E (i.e. the A and B columns in the table). Watch your units to make sure the formulas work correctly for you! Other values need to be entered and will not calculate automatically such as the temperature correction factors and Kfs.
ETC Pask Permeameter Test Record, fillable spreadsheet in Google Sheets format
ETC Pask Permeameter Test Record, fillable spreadsheet in MS Excel format
Both of these links have also been added to Section 5 of the Binder Contents table below.
NEW! Fillable Test Pit Record Forms
If you wish, here are links to some test pit record forms in a fillable spreadsheet format. One is in Google Sheets format and the second is in MicroSoft Excel format. You can download these and save them on your computer if you wish to type up your test pit record forms rather than just submitting them handwritten.
ETC Test Pit Record, fillable spreadsheet (with example) in Google Sheets format
ETC Test Pit Record, fillable spreadsheet (with example) in MS Excel formatO
Also, here is an example showing how ETC fills in the test pit record sheet. This is the same example that Kelly handed out at the site in Darnley on Friday.
Example filled out Test Pit Record
All of these links have also been added to Section 5 of the Binder Contents table below.
Temperature correction factor
Here is a section from ETC’s Pask Permeameter User Guide explaining how to apply a temperature correction to the Kfs.
If the permeability tests are well inside or outside of the permeable zone, then the correction isn’t going to make much difference. But if it’s close to pass/fail, in my opinion you should check the temperature correction as it may push it over the edge into a firm fail or pass.
Note: You can apply the correction factor to the R (steady state rate of fall) value and then use that adjusted number to determine your Ka (temperature adjusted Kfs value) from the appropriate quick reference table. This is easier than multiplying the Kfs number (which is in scientific notation) by the correction factor. 🙂
SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, June 23 in Darnley
We are meeting at the Darnley site at 10:00am on Friday. For those who pre-ordered lunch, Twin Treats will try to have everyone’s orders ready for 12 noon.
Lunch pre-ordering for when at the Darnley site
When we go to Darnley (Friday) for the site assessment there, we will likely be there over lunch. As mentioned on Tuesday, the “Twin Treats” take-out is located just a couple of minutes up the road at the Twin Shores Campground. For those who would like to purchase lunch from Twin Treats, we are going to try to let them know what food you will want ahead of time, so that they can ensure they have enough supplies and that the food will be ready around lunch time. When you arrive at the take-out, you will just have to give them your name and they should be able to take your payment and give you your order quickly. Here is the Twin Treats quick take out menu for your advance review.
SCHEDULE AND OTHER DETAILS:
Where:
- Rodd Royalty Hotel, 14 Capital Dr, Charlottetown, PE C1A 8C2 (classroom, lab, and exam.) This is the Rodd Hotel located near the Charlottetown Mall. It is NOT the Rodd Hotel downtown.
- In the “Crowbush” room on the lower level.
- Field sites at various locations (to be confirmed, refer to links/maps below). Your own transportation will be required.
When:
- Tues. June 20 – Classroom all day at Rodd Royalty Hotel. Please arrive between 8:00am and 8:20am for an 8:30am start. Allow time to pick up your course materials. 1 hour lunch break on your own.
- Weds. June 21 – All day at Rodd Royalty Hotel. Classroom lecture on permeability testing and hands-on practice outside on the Rodd Hotel property. Also lab module practicing texture-by-feel testing. 8:30am start. 1 hour lunch break on your own.
- Thurs. June 22 – Field work all day, weather permitting. Location(s) TBD. Check back here for updates.
- Fri. June 23 – Field work all day, weather permitting. Location(s) TBD. Check back here for updates.
- Mon. June 26 – Alternative field work day if there is bad weather the previous Thursday and/or Friday.
- Tues. June 27 – Optional day to work on assignments, get extra help, etc. at the Rodd Royalty Hotel. There are no planned lectures or presentations however Kelly will be there from 9:00am to 4:00pm (except for 1 hour lunch break).
- Weds. June 28 – Exam (9:00am to 12pm) Rodd Royalty Hotel, in the “Crowbush” room, lower level.
Google Map Links to Sites for Field Work:
In no particular order:
- York site, Chris’ Bobcat (Chris Hucz property), 1939 Route 25, York, PE (20 min from Rodd Royalty Hotel, Charlottetown)
- Earnscliffe site, McInnis Point, vacant cottage lot across from 193 Glenway Drive, Vernon Bridge, PE (25 min from Hillsborough Bridge, Charlottetown). Enter Glenway Drive through brick gates at the end of McInnis Point Road.
- Darnley site, PID#779116. Navigate to 28 Mariners Watch Land, Kensington, PE. (Approx. 50 minutes from Rodd Royalty Hotel, Charlottetown.)
For Day 1 and 2 in the classroom/lab, please bring the following:
- If you have not already paid for the course registration with credit card or PayPal through our webstore, please bring a cheque with you on the first day payable to Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. for $1725 ($1500 + 15% HST). If you have not paid for your registration you will not be able to stay.
- (OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED) Laptop or tablet with fully charged battery for viewing large PDF files online such as the PEI Regulations, Construction Standards, PEI Soil Survey, etc. Go digital and save trees! There will be internet access at the Rodd Royalty Hotel, however it is recommended that you download the documents listed below ahead of time onto a laptop or tablet other device for easy viewing while at the course. A smartphone is not recommended as the screen is very small and the detail in these documents will be hard to see.
- Calculator (or use app on your smartphone)
- Clipboard
- Pens, pencils, eraser
Documents to download ahead of time for the course (as mentioned above):
PEI SOIL SURVEY (1988) (219 pages)
Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems in PEI, Construction Standards Handbook (2013) (135 pages)
PEI Water Act – Sewage Disposal Systems Regulations (NEW 2021)
Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a laptop or tablet to access digital copies of documents, you should print off a hard copy of the above documents to bring to the course, especially the PEI SOIL SURVEY and the PEI Construction Standards 2013, but they are large documents. You will need to refer to these for the homework assignments and when conducting site assessments and preparing your documentation.
Checklist of items to bring on field work days, starting Thurs. June 22 (Day 3):
- Measuring tape – metric (cm) preferred.
- Long shafted, Robertson screwdriver as a probe for checking soil density. (see photo example above)
- Flat adhesive/flooring trowel with 1/4″ wide notches/teeth for scarifying test pit walls. (see photo example above) eg. like this one from Home Depot. Hardware stores and some Dollar stores also have these.
- Small hand trowel (garden section of Dollar Stores have lots of these) or a mini-shovel for digging out soil samples from test pit walls. (see photo above)
- Field reference sheets and ETC Pask Permeameter quick reference tables (handouts provided in your binder)
- Blank test pit logs and permeability test forms (in your binder)
- “Goodie Bag” of items that you will receive on the first day (sand sizes card, water bottle with texture flow chart, soil sample bags, soil sample tags, twist ties, etc.)
- Calculator (or use app on your smartphone)
- Clipboard
- Pens, pencils, eraser
- 4 Liter plastic container filled with water for permeability testing. An empty windshield fluid container works well.
- Small log book or notebook for writing misc. notes.
- Smartphone for locating test sites in the field using Google Maps (or use a GPS if you prefer). If you don’t own a smartphone…well…I respectfully suggest you consider getting one. It will allow you to take advantage of various features (such as the GPS and Google Maps) that will make your site assessments and reports easier.
- Personal small towel or rag and/or package of wipes, for drying, cleaning, hands.
- Clothing appropriate for the weather/conditions. You will be outside for at least a couple of hours at a time. Work boots, (steel toe recommended), appropriate for being around heavy equipment (backhoe, excavator). Mosquito shirt and/or bug spray, sunscreen, water to drink. Note: If weather is light drizzle, field work will go ahead. So please dress accordingly!
- (Optional) Packed lunch if you don’t want to buy lunch at a nearby take-out or restaurant.
- Backpack/knapsack or similar is recommended for organizing and carrying all of the above items in your vehicle and around the field sites.
As there will be 25+ participants, it is recommended to label any personal hand tools, clipboards, notebooks, etc. with your name.
Land On-line web site (to access PEI GIS soil mapping, contours, properties, etc.):
You can access the site here:
https://peilandonline.baselinegeo.com/landonline/login.aspx
You are encouraged to register for a login asap (its free if you own land on PEI). However, if you don’t have a login, you can still use the web site but some search functionality will be reduced. You will be able to search by civic address but not by PID number. Note: the PEI government plans to transition from this site to something else for the general public to be able to view GIS property data. However, as of this date, they cannot tell us when this will happen.
Below are links to PDF files of the complete PowerPoint Slide decks in colour, and other handouts included in your binder. These are mainly for reference and download. You do not have to download these right away, if you don’t want to. However it is recommended that you download the PowerPoint slide decks at least, and have them with you for writing the exam.
Other links to excerpts from the PEI Construction Standards or Regulations:
Standard submissions documents from Appendix H of PEI Construction Standards
Disposal field length selection tables from Appendix G of PEI Construction Standards 2013
Course grading
A minimum overall course grade of 75% is required to pass the course and be eligible for a Site Assessor License (assuming all other government eligibility criteria are met). This grade requirement was determined in consultation with the PEI government. The final overall course mark will be based on 70% of the final exam mark and 30% of the hand-in site assignment mark.
Breaks, responding to calls, texts
In addition to a 1 hour lunch break (approx. 12 noon to 1pm each day), on classroom/lab days there will be 15 min. mid-morning and mid-afternoon “coffee/bio-breaks”. Where possible, additional 5 min breaks will be offered to allow attendees to respond to urgent texts or phone calls but please try and deal with work matters during regular breaks or at lunch. If you must make or take a call during the lectures or instruction, please leave the room so as to not disturb other attendees.
Contact details for the course instructor, Kelly Galloway and other ETC staff are as follows:
Kelly Galloway – | 902-940-0616 cell
Kelly Galloway & ETC’s Company Bio
Ellen Fraser – | 902-916-3519 cell
Cathy McInnis – | 902-393-3556 cell
Please text or email if you cannot find the answer to your question on this web page. Please call only if it is urgent.