For over 40 years, The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) has irrigated its wastewater onto both cropped and forested lands.  This method of wastewater disposal has been gaining popularity in water deficit regions. However, it is not widely used in areas that have a surplus of water.  PSU sprays two inches of water a week, regardless of local weather conditions.  The irrigation and natural precipitation combined amount to approximately 140 inches of water per year, equivalent to tropical rainfall. Our study investigates soil changes in its morphology and functionality that have occurred during this long period of increased inputs of water. 
Previous studies of the area provide an estimate of original soil properties.  Combinations of original and new methods were performed in this study to determine how the soils have changed over time.  Soil morphological parameters including structure, horizonation and redoximorphic features were evaluated from the soil cores and in situ soil pits.  Soil functional parameters including saturated hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, texture, organic matter content, aggregate stability, and infiltration rate were also evaluated to determine the longevity of the system. 
Preliminary results suggest that the soils have experienced a period of accelerated erosion.  The soil structure has also appeared to change from granular to platy in the A horizon. Some of the depressions are showing signs of redoximorphic features at depths of less than a meter and most of the areas have increased numbers of manganese concretions. The soil functionality has also changed.   Visual observations of increasing amounts of runoff are supported by the laboratory findings of increased bulk density and reduced saturated hydraulic conductivity in regions of the study area. Further studies are ongoing to comprehensively evaluate various soil changes over several decades of heavy human impacts.