My Septic System Experiment

[PILOON]

I can recall when 20 years back most excavators could install a septic system for an average $3000.
Now days what with Bionex or Equoflow (+ other patented systems) the price has climbed to over $20,000.
Adding to that injury municipalities wanting to err on the safe side mandate all too frequent (IMHO) pumping. Great for the tank truck guys.
Heck as long as we followed certain government guide lines we could create our own septic systems, which I have done a few times, and so far none have been problematic.
One in question was pumped for the first time after 20 years of usage and was declared to be totally normal for a (get this) 3-4 year old system!
I only had it pumped as the flow was getting bad only to discover that the renters had flushed what they had been advised not to do. (septics simply do not like J cloths nor kiddies toys. Feminine products also don't decompose either)

PS, I no longer rent, just too much hassles, sold instead.

I guess the next septic upgrade will be a computer controlled one with 'on line monitoring' via skype. (but 2 year pumping will still be mandatory)

 

[check]

I can recall when 20 years back most excavators could install a septic system for an average $3000. Now days what with Bionex or Equoflow (+ other patented systems) the price has climbed to over $20,000. Adding to that injury municipalities wanting to err on the safe side mandate all too frequent (IMHO) pumping. Great for the tank truck guys. Heck as long as we followed certain government guide lines we could create our own septic systems, which I have done a few times, and so far none have been problematic. One in question was pumped for the first time after 20 years of usage and was declared to be totally normal for a (get this) 3-4 year old system! I only had it pumped as the flow was getting bad only to discover that the renters had flushed what they had been advised not to do. (septics simply do not like J cloths nor kiddies toys. Feminine products also don't decompose either) PS, I no longer rent, just too much hassles, sold instead. I guess the next septic upgrade will be a computer controlled one with 'on line monitoring' via skype. (but 2 year pumping will still be mandatory)

Bob, I have a rental property with a septic system as well up in cottage country here in Ontario, and I'm always paranoid about what the renters flush down the toilets. So far so good, but I imagine it is only a matter of time!

 

[ultrarunner]

Have one rental with septic... it has been a mixed bag... one tenant was super careful and another liked to have parties often... meaning high usage in a short period of time.

Septic upgrade is over 50k and now requires a contract with oversight plus power to operate... Washington State.

I would pay to hook up but most likely will never happen as the zoning is such to keep the rural nature...

 

[Pettrix]

Septic upgrade is over 50k and now requires a contract with oversight plus power to operate... Washington State.

I would pay to hook up but most likely will never happen as the zoning is such to keep the rural nature...

It's mind boggling that some states charge such outrageous amounts to get a septic system.

I paid around $10k (including permits) for a 2,500 GAL concrete tank (2 chamber), 4 leach lines x 80' each of the infiltrator dome chamber system and all the labor to install. I put landscape fabric over the chambers as an additional safety for soil infiltration.

It was approved for up to 7 bedrooms/7bath usage. Basically 2 homes can use the system without any issues. Add my $300 aerobic setup, this system can easily handle more than that if needed and it produces a clear effluent and I will never have to pump the tank.

 

[ultrarunner]

It is often used as a means to control building... either septic permit or sewer hook-ups.

The engineered systems with contracts are becoming more common around my end of Puget Sound.

 

[cqaigy2]

It is often used as a means to control building... either septic permit or sewer hook-ups.

The engineered systems with contracts are becoming more common around my end of Puget Sound.

This and the unfortunate issue of fecal coli-form in high amounts in the Sound.

 

[ultrarunner]

In the last 15 years or so I have seen Mound Systems and Glendon? go in around me... the owners don't have much if anything positive to say... many are on small plots of land and were only able to build using one of the engineered methods... comments are the mostly about higher cost all around.

I do know quite a few on acreage with traditional septic and no issues... but, they also use care and almost long term owner occupied.

I misspoke in that I actually have two septics in WA... with the other McKenna...

I always pump between tenants... the difference in care is very evident.

 

[Pettrix]

Effluent still clear at the D-Box. No solids in the 1st chamber. System is working great.

Tank pumping in my area is $550 and climbing due to EPA and rising fuel costs.

At this rate, I will probably never have to pump my tank.

 

[cqaigy2]

Good to hear!
:thumbsup:

 

[dfkrug]

I'm now a believer in aerobic septic systems. The entire setup cost me $300 in parts and
labor was free (me).

Just saw this thread. Thx for posting.

I have always loved aerobic systems. They have been around for many years. My folks had one
in central Ohio in the early 70s where there was no leachfield at all, and the effluent from the tank
went out to the storm drain system. It was clear and did not smell much at all.

I have a pump-up septic here that uses Infiltrator chambers and 2 1500-gal tanks. I had the main
tank pumped for the first time after 15y of use. ($450 for one hour's work, no problems, easy access.)

Clearly, that is more than an aerator system could cost, as you have demonstrated. I may
have to install one.

I run a bubbler and vent fan in my 5000-gal water tank to remove sulphurous gases and it has
worked great. Note that an air stone failed there, so I just use a silicone rubber 1/4" weighted line and
an aquarium bubbler.