Definition and Purpose of Percolation of Soil

Percolation (from Latin percolare, "to filter" or "trickle through") is the movement and filtering of fluids through porous materials in physics, chemistry, and materials science. The rate at which water percolates into the soil is referred to as percolation rate. Water, on the other hand, does not percolate at the same rate in all soils. Water percolates most effectively in sandy soil, while water percolates least effectively in clay soil. The rate of water percolation varies depending on the type of soil.