Alternative Technology Assn Forums

1. 

   Felix101
   Member

   Well, after months of planning a composting toilet/reed bed waste water management system, and discussing it all the way with council.... Heave now said it has to be an epa approved reed bed (I.e. We have to pay someone bucket loads of money to do it)....

   So I'm after recommendations for a good, cheap septic system. We have boggy soil and have to cover a ridiculous amount of trenching (200m of run off... Really). We are also on a seriously, seriously, seriously tight budget and short Time frame...

   Who do you recommend I look in to, considering:
   - we are based in north east victoria
   - we will be totally off grid, so need to consider energy usage (i.e. Those small, aerated treatment plants are out)
   - we need to keep it super duper cheap
   - I want to avoid adding/using chemicals (e.g. Chlorine tablets)

   I love tony from worm smart's system, but it's just so expensive.... If I have to spent it, then I'll find the money and go with him, but otherwise I really want to keep expenses more around $6k max...

   Appreciate any advice

   Cheers
   Felix

   Posted Monday 24 Mar 2014 @ 10:17:11 am from IP #
2. 

   Felix101
   Member

   Sorry, not 200m of run off - 350 sq m of subsurface irrigation for 1000L p day.

   Oh and we'll have a three bedroom house (eventually)...

   Posted Monday 24 Mar 2014 @ 11:35:20 am from IP #
3. 

   Greg
   Member

   Felix101, I have a RootZone system installed (I'm in NSW Blue Mountains). As I understand it, this system is also approved in Victoria. Tony is the owner.
   Initially the local council was requiring two long subsurface trenches. Tony managed to convince them of a different arrangement which saved digging up vast tracts of land.
   He may be able to assist.
   Just went to EPA site, look like his system is the only one approved in Victoria.
   http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/water/onsite-wastewater/wastewater-secondary-domestic-treatment-systems#L3P6

   Also this thread. http://www.ata.org.au/forums/topic/2193

   Posted Monday 24 Mar 2014 @ 10:58:52 pm from IP #
4. 

   jtb
   Member

   Hi, have you looked into the eco septic? its the third one down on this link...

   http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/water/onsite-wastewater/wastewater-secondary-domestic-treatment-systems

   No affiliation with them and no experience with them but was searching for options for my place and came across them. Unfortunately they are not approved in my state.

   Posted Tuesday 17 Jun 2014 @ 2:14:54 am from IP #
5. 

   David
   Member

   I got a STD Septic system with pump well approved.

   The amount of/or size of the leech field does not really change according to the civil engineer, I had do the site survey,etc for our system, makes sense afterall if it goes in, it needs exit.

   Since we are doing off-grid for power, a septic made more sense they don't use power by default, unless you need a pump well. We need a pump well. The ground is so flat we cannot get the outflow from the septic to the leech field without one, the very small amount of power is used sporadically so not an issue, I can setup a system where the default is only run during the day, unless a specific depth of outflow water is reached.

   although I'll put in a grey water treatment system afterwards (wetlands), which avoids the issue with council.

   I've been running a grey water treatment system for years in town down here, in the backyard, we use the outflow water from it to for toilets and watering, etc. Built it near the begginning of the last drought in Vic been using it ever since.

   Posted Wednesday 15 Oct 2014 @ 6:55:39 am from IP #

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