septic do-it-yourself (in Minn.)?

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septic do-it-yourself (in Minn.)?

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We are looking to buy an old farm, and we really don't want to revive the old outhouse. Is there a possibility we can build our own septic system. (In MN, if anyone wants more detail)

-- NoraMcCoy (ldsfam@means.net), January 14, 2001

Answers

Response to septic do-it-yourself?

simple system,,, did a pit,, fill it mostly of the way with gravel. Or use a 55 gal drum,, thats what most houses started with around here,, (Mich),, some still have them. Also depends on your soil type also.

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), January 14, 2001.

Response to septic do-it-yourself?

Sorry do it yourself septic systems are not possible in MN. With all of our water (10,000 lakes) and state lands we are one of the most regulated states in the union. I know of many stories of those who attempted to slip by but got caught. If caught you are required to dig up what you have done and redue and possible fines. MN requires a licensed septic designer and licensed installer.(may be the same person) I don't like it but that's the way it is. I spent 4600$ on my septic system two years ago and I've lived here for 30 years.

-- Del (dgrinolds@gvtel.com), January 14, 2001.

Response to septic do-it-yourself?

best to consult your state building code. Probably can find that on line. Then you will know for sure what you can and cannot do. What most folks started out with is not permitted anymore, mostly because our wise government has figuerd out how to tax our basic bodily functions.

An example is my area, here in Southeast Ohio. The state says yes I can build my own septic system. The local library has lots of books that tell me how. The county that I live in says that I must buy a permit (a poop tax if you will), and that is $100. Then I can build my system only after the county sanitarian has approved my plan. This will include the sanitarian making an on site visit and offering advice. Then I must have the system inspected after completion, and after that I can begin using it for it's intended purpose.

Now reviving an old outhouse has it's merits. By the fact that it is already there it would not require a permit. Never freezes up, and is a good stand by even if another system is there too. Also affords a good place to nail up old license plates. My old outhouse is licensed in 8 states I think.

Good luck, but find out the rules (and fees) before you start, so that you do not have to do it over again.

-- Ed Copp (OH) (edcopp@yahoo.com), January 14, 2001.

Response to septic do-it-yourself?

Sorry do it yourself septic systems are not possible in MN....I spent 4600$ on my septic system two years ago...

-- Del (dgrinolds@gvtel.com), January 14, 2001.

Boy do I hear you, Del. We just had to put in a new septic system last year to the tune of $5,000. Ugh!

Minnesota changed their laws so that if you buy a rural home with a septic system that was installed prior to 1996, you have to upgrade or replace it.

-- Jim Morris (prism@bevcomm.net), January 14, 2001.

Response to septic do-it-yourself?

We have a sun-mar composting toilet. While the old house was vacent (91-99) one of the buried cement septic tanks blew up. When Randy and I moved in we either had to shell out 4 or 5 grand or come up with a new solution. Composting toilets are EPA approved in every state, as far as I know. Ours has a vent and needs an electric plug for the heater that dries out the compost in the bottom. We have to add a cup of peat moss for every short visit, two for every long visit to the composting toilet. Works o.k. for us, we use it on our flowers. Sun-mar also has toilets that don't need electric, but all need a vent. (It was easy to install, really!)

-- Marty (Mrs.Puck@Excite.com), January 14, 2001.

Response to septic do-it-yourself?

Composting Toilets are not necessarily approved in every state.Alot,including mine,will also require you to install a septic system for grey water and provide overflow for the composting.My state is pretty backward,well very, and we are now under these reg's.The septic system is usually scaled down,but still needed.

For a do -it- yourself system,check into constructed wetlands.If you have the time and like to garden,that's a possibility.See if they are approved there.They are in my state.Expensive to hire out but not too bad to build.This info from a county agent who put in his own.

I've just checked on these things for myself.I am leaning heavily to the wetland with low flow toilets for one place.

Straightline pipes and holding tank systems are causing a tremendous ammout of surface water pollution.I water test small streams in my extremely rural area,that's how I know.

Do you really want to be responsible for that,to save a few bucks? Put in a proper wetland yourself,still save a few bucks and have a system that will work.And a flower bed.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), January 14, 2001.

Response to septic do-it-yourself?

Can you do it, Yes, dig a hole and dump your waste in it. Can you leaglly do it, Depends check with your health dept. Most cases no, you will need to put in a proper septic system.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), January 17, 2001.

Response to septic do-it-yourself?

The book that I reviewed a few weeks ago, Travel Trailer Homesteading (title is not exact) had a whole section on building a do-it-yourself septic, including a good amount of "I messed up here, don't you do it too" advice.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), January 18, 2001.

Response to septic do-it-yourself?

It is really quite easy to design and build a septic system. You will need professional help in locating and installing a tank, but the rest of it is within the abilities of most. I can give you help on an acceptable design, which I suspect you would have to get approved by Jesse and his thugs. But that should be possible at far less than the numbers I've seen bandied about here. Personally, when I replaced my leach bed, I just didn't tell anybody, and being off the beaten path, nobody noticed. It's been working beautifully for 15 years, and the way I designed it, I expect it has at least another 100 years left. Good luck!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), January 19, 2001.



-- (stinky@pot.com), July 01, 2001


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