Septic System Alternative

Submitted by fyl on 22 November, 2006 - 15:58.

A friend pointed me here to an alternative to a traditional septic system. It is a slide presentation on a system done by a friend of his in Mexico.

It does consume energy but likely requires a lot less space and reclaims almost all the water input. It is being used in a hotel facility. His payback was in less than a year for saved water costs.

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two questions about this

Submitted by parrotheadnica on 23 November, 2006 - 22:44.

what happens if you lose electricity, and how do any of these systems hold up in an earthquake?

Tongue in Cheek

Submitted by Mupitara on 23 December, 2006 - 20:14.

To answer your question parrotheadnica, if you lose electricity, "the shit hits the fan"!

Please forgive me if I don't respond (with another stupid response) for a long time 'cause I may be back in Prinzapolka (doing stupid stuff there)! Regards (and Happy Holidays), Mupitara

Go back to your...

Submitted by toms on 24 December, 2006 - 20:00.

CaliPEE...LOL

Lyin' Farmer John Wayne

Good point Melanie

Submitted by Jack Davies on 24 November, 2006 - 03:05.

If you don't have a back-up power supply your system will die.

but how quickly?

Submitted by parrotheadnica on 24 November, 2006 - 17:02.

Bacteria have an ability to live long lives, don't they? After all, they are one of the most tenacious forms of life.

I think the less I have to have electricity, the better. I can function okay at my NH house without it, and would like to keep it that way in Nica, especially if Union Fenosa stays in town.

Quickly probably

Submitted by Jack Davies on 24 November, 2006 - 17:59.

If you have ever lost the power to an aquarium that uses an under gravel filter you already know how fast the water goes bad. You can not leave the fish in it for very long even if you supply extra air that doesn't go through the filter.

This is just a guess but I imagine that one of these systems would probably survive a few hours a day with no power. Most people who use them live where the power supply is more dependable so it may be difficult to get a more accurate, unbiased user's opinion.

Here's another thought

Submitted by Jack Davies on 24 November, 2006 - 18:04.

A by-product of a regular septic tank is methane gas. The gas can be drawn off and used for cooking. One of the Central American lodges does this. I will post the URL with the info if I come across it. It may have been Morgan's Rock.

Aerobic bacteria systems

Submitted by Jack Davies on 23 November, 2006 - 04:24.

Many aquarium filters work on the same principle.

It might be worth having in places that are short of water like parts of Mexico.

Exactly

Submitted by fyl on 23 November, 2006 - 06:42.

I thought of the undergravel filters I used in aquariums when Willy pointed me at it. He said you would need to buy the special substrate to build a system but I am not even sure about that. Clearly not high tech. It really is pretty much like a big (city-level) treatment facility only it is in an underground box rather than in open pools.

Might be a good alternative in areas such as Carazo where the water table is way low.

Yes indeed

Submitted by evets on 23 November, 2006 - 06:56.

we use the same idea on our slurry pit (cow pooh). Our big old septic tank eats all the grey + black water plus kitchen waste we don't feed the pigs and produces a perfectly clean output that waters the veg patch. We've had it emptied once in 15 years and that was because we didn't have a grease trap on the kitchen sink drain. It eats lavatory paper (although eventually the kaolin filler will build up) so I don't see the need for anything else.

As with many things though, size counts plus rough concrete or brick walls for the bugs to live in. In the UK we had a brick septic tank which never gave any trouble, our neighbours a fancy plastic one which never got into fermenting mode.

Has anybody got any idea of costs?

Submitted by Giacomo Fiorino on 23 November, 2006 - 07:47.

From the positive comments I can read on this system, I'm starting to be taken on from the idea. Has anybody got any idea on costs????

NICALIBRE Jacko

Aerobic treatment system

Submitted by elnido on 22 November, 2006 - 21:24.

This is the same type system we are offering here in Nicaragua. Information has already been posted about it, but if anyone is interested, please contact me.

water saved....

Submitted by toms on 22 November, 2006 - 16:29.

When I was at the local hardware store here in Port buying my 2 new inoderodos (commodes)

I happened to notice on the boxes of the Brand "Habitat Marca Resistrada"

It said was 6 literes.....

So being who I am, I asked the owner...

"6 literes of what?"....

She did not think I was funny...

Lyin' Farmer John Wayne

6 liters

Submitted by Huehuete Bob on 22 November, 2006 - 19:23.

of second hand flor de cana?

Canta no LLores

I do

Submitted by Giacomo Fiorino on 22 November, 2006 - 17:13.

Extremely funny as a matter of fact.:-)

NICALIBRE Jacko