septic vs holding tank

[ch47dpilot]

My house has a septic tank and drain field but my workshop is to far away and uphill to make connecting into the system practical. I'm contemplating a separate septic/drain field for my workshop but may just go with a holding tank. My concern with the holding tank is how often I may need to pump it and size. The workshop will mainly be for hobby and thus only used on weekends. So I'll use the shower, toilet and sink 1-2 times a week. maybe the sink more often but toilet will mainly be for "emergency" use and the shower when I'm really dirty. Using online calculators it looks like I'll put about 3000-4000Gal/year down the drain (10min shower-25gal, 2 flushes-3.2gal, 2.5 min hand washing-5.5gal or approx. 33Gal/day or 66/weekend= 3432/year) found a 3500gallon underground for around $5000. I'm thinking the holding tank will be the better option. I'm thinking size vs cost to pump will determine how big to go. Don't need the honey wagon there every month but maybe more practical to get it pumped 2-3 times a year instead. Just wondering what peoples opinion on going with just a holding tank vs completed drain field.

 

[Dan Lamb]

Have you researched or looked into 2 50 gallon drums attached at top with 4 inch ABS with a 15 to 20 ft leach line ? Should never need pumper with light use .

 

[ch47dpilot]

Could see that for the sink and shower gray water but not the toilet black water.

 

[Dan Lamb]

I should have been more clear 2 50 gal poly or plastisk tanks

 

[rustyshakelford]

There’s lots of ways to do this. Main question is what does your county require as far as septic is concerned or is there much over sight at all? A cheaper option could be to bury a smaller tank and when it gets full pump it with a macerater or trash pump to your main systems clean out. Might be a little stinky but would be low cost

Brett

 

[oosik]

There is a way that you do not need a septic system OR holding tank. Water from the shower and sink (grey water) contain no solids and will cause no problems of "hang up" or clogging as they flow down hill. You could transmit the grey water thru a 3" plastic pipe to your existing house sewer system. How far would this be.

Then for a toilet either an outhouse OR an electric or propane fired incinerating toilet.

If you use a holding tank - there will ALWAYS be the concern of having it pumped. Where the holding tank would be installed - can a pump truck reach that location?

 

[Looking4new]

IF dry wells are allowed in your county, I would install one for the grey water and then go with a 2,000 gallon holding tank for the black water and pump it twice a year.

 

[LouNY]

IF dry wells are allowed in your county, I would install one for the grey water and then go with a 2,000 gallon holding tank for the black water and pump it twice a year.

I would second this idea.
Or if desired a sewage grinder pump in a collection tank and a small (1 1/2" or 2") line to your existing septic tank.

 

[Budweiser John]

For years I wanted a shop sink. Like the original OP, a connection to the house septic/drain field was geographically impossible. I looked at plastic holding tanks and was advised they need to be kept partially filled to prevent floating. I then priced concrete septic tanks and with delivery, the cost exceeded my megar budget.
I ended up purchasing two 36 X 36 concrete sewer pipes, a concrete 48 dia. Cookie (for a bottom), and a cookie with a man hole opening for the top. Setting the tiles end to end vertically on the solid cookie bottom and covering with the top manhole cookie created an inexpensive underground tank. The real labor was cutting a pair of holes in the sides of the top tile for an inlet and out let pipe, both cemented in the openings with hydraulic cement.
The leach field is about 50 of perforated pipe in a trench filled with 1 stone.
There is no toilet in this equation but the convince of a shop sink is wonderfully convient. System has been up and running for about three years now and works flawlessly.

B. John

 

[BLSXJ]

1st Decide if you really need a toilet, and if it could be a composting/incinerating unit that does not require septic connections.

2nd talk to your building inspector, and figure out whats allowed and what the easyist/ cheapest option is.

When I build my barn I plan on going the holding tank route with only grey water going into it. That way I can pump it out myself.