Septic and Other Waste Issues
Last Updated: January 09, 2006
Most recent images first; plan drawings, text and additional references at bottom...

An Aquatron Separator purchased from Sweden (see 3rd drawing for use, more later)
Aquatron -- For more info on the Aquatron Waste Separation system from Swedan (used to separate solids from liquids in waste stream)

 

Once we had the leach field in and covered, we called the county building inspector in for the final inspection. Everything passed with flying colors, and he even had some nice compliments for us! As we progress on the house, we'll start working the gray/black water part of the system and we should have more pictures then.

 

The finished and backfilled leachfield (75% by hand!)

 

The distribution box plumbed with the leach field partially backfilled

 

Installing the leachfield (infiltrator design approach)

 

 

Installing the covers on the backfilled septic tank

 

The finished septic tank ready for backfill

 

Finishing the septic tank (filter, piping, risers, etc.)

 

Prepared leach field ready for component installation

 

Opening up the last trenches (water, gray water, septic). The septic tank is mid-right and the leach is above it back in the trees.

 

Setting the septic tank into the hole

 

 

Leveling the septic tank hole (hole is 10'lx7'wx6'd, 1000gal tank)

 

Digging the leach field

 

 

Oops, a blown hydraulic line! (starting the repair)

 

 

The Septic/Waste System

Ideally, the waste we create should be reused by us. In the wider world, human waste has been used as a primary agricultural fertilizer for as long as man has practiced agriculture. Yet today, in the United States, bodily functions are not discussed in polite company; and the recycling of our waste has become regulated out of practice.

Coincident to the implementation of sanitary building code was the establishment of 'soil conservation' practices in our way of farming. Soil conservation has proven to be anything but. Today, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is a burgening industry, perpetuated (at least in-part) to compensate for depleted soils. But good soil cannot be created by chemicals, instead it is formed by microorganisms feasting on organic matter.

In the Skyview Project, we are building a permitted septic system to satisfy local environmental health regulations (required to move a trailer on and live long-term, let alone to build a home or business). Yet we are also developing a means of using both gray and black water as well as the rapid removal of pathogens from our solid waste ( ametod we believe is superior to composting toilets). As time passes, these will be discussed in more detail here. For now, a look at the plans at the end of this page may give you some idea of where we are going...

For those interested, the supplier of septic components was Redwood Valley Gravel Products of Redwood Valley, CA (707.485.8585, Redwood Valley Gravel). Information on the Aquatron separator can be found by folowing this link: Aquatron

 

Plans
Adobe .pdf format

Overall Plan
Permitted (conventional) Septic
Gray/Black Water System

 

Additional Reading for Those Interested:

Sewage Solutions, Grant Moodie and Weedon, Centre for Alternative Technology Publications, 1996/2000
Wells and Septic Systems, Max and Charlotte Alth, McGraw-Hill, 1992
Branched Drain Greywater Systems, Art Ludwig, Oasis Design, 2000