Installing an illegal septic tank. . . .?
Answers:
You may be ok, if you run your grey water in to a "dry well", (10X10X10' gravel hole).
Dont try this with your leach field, it wont work. I would go with a run of at least a 75 feet and 3 off shoots of 50 feet, and put in large gravel, and sand for perculation rate to mix better. (Mix the sand and the clay and some top soil if you can get it) Trench it 3 feet deep with one feet of the mix, then 2 feet of gravel. Then a foot of topsoil and grass over it...
1000 galllon will work, if you only have one toilet, but its not the toilet thats the rating, its how many "people" use the system. I wouldnt go over 4 people, and with that, your going to have to watch it, and clean it every 3 years or so, maybe sooner, so check it yearly with a sludge judge (long acrylic pole that is hollow and it shows how much sludge is at the bottom. Or, a small chain with a wire mesh and you lower it in the water and see where it settles, with markings on the chain for incriments of feet).
So, your figuring a rate of 150 gallons a day per person, but, since you probably will only use about 120 of that in grey water, only 30 gallons per day per person, so fill the tank up first, with water, then let it over flow and see how it tests out...
To start your septic tank, put 5 pounds of raw hamburger in it, thats been spoiled. (yep, I said spoilt!!), you need it for the "bugs" (anaroebics), and add a pound of yeast for the action... that will start you out right. Then, use daily as needed per person.
Now, if you want my "professional opinoion" you will get this 'tested' by the Engineer. But, I dont know where you live nor, do I even care, just a word of advice....
Even so 1000 gallons is a bit small, and I would advise a bigger one, but, you can barely get by with that... In time, you can upgrade..
I wish you well..
Jesse
Ohio Class III Waste Water Plant Operator
27 years experience, (recently retired).
Other answers:
I don't have a problem with you doing this yourself, but your local DEQ, who will need to inspect it, might.
I don't have a problem with you doing this yourself, but your local DEQ, who will need to inspect it, might.
Southern red clay just doesn't perk too well so if you do this, be sure to use an abundant amount of gravel and plenty of leach line. You might even think about frenching in some smaller lines off your mains to assist with drainage.
Good luck.
how do I repair cracks in a plaster ceiling so they will not return?