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UpNorth48
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# Posted: 3 Sep 2025 07:01pm
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I know this is BAD BAD BAD but...
About 12 years ago our remote camp burned in a forest fire. We rebuilt and installed a small 500 gal. septic tank/system. At the time, the "closest" town was serviced by smaller pumper trucks that could get in the old logging roads but now... the trucks are these behemoths that are NOT coming down my steep winding driveway (1500'). So, I'm forced into doing this myself. I plan to pump the sludge about 200' (slight downhill of 5-6' vertical) into a pit I plan to dig. There is no danger to others, my nearest neighbour is about 10 miles away and I'm in the land of sand an gravel and perc times are phenomenal. My washed well point will be well over 150' uphill and away. I've worked around sewers much of my life and know the personal dangers/concerns/precautions but I have to do this, my option is to abandon my system... There is no scum layer (some bubbles/foam), only black water, kitchen sink and the bare minimum of grease are allowed. The sludge is not compact and easily stirred up. What kind of pump will work, I'd like to use 1.5" pipe. It doesn't have to be "fast" but must deal with the sludge that seems to be bits about the size of quarter. I'm guessing there will actually be a minor siphon effect once is starts. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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darz5150
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# Posted: 3 Sep 2025 07:39pm - Edited by: darz5150
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Possible macerator pump. This one is for RV so 12 vdc. But others available on Amazon.
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rpe
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# Posted: 3 Sep 2025 10:10pm
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A standard sewage pump should work fine I would think. The one we use is a Liberty brand that discharges out a 2" poly pipe to transfer from the sewage basin under the cabin to the main septic tank on our system. For short-term use, an off-shore brand might do the job.
Now that said - do you really want to pump this stuff to an open pit on your property? Sounds like a nightmare to me. Can you pump it to a tank located in a more accessible area where the local pump truck can access? Or pump it into a trailer-mounted poly tank that you can haul it by tractor/atv up to the accessible area, even if it takes a half dozen trips?
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 3 Sep 2025 10:59pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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How deep is the actual settled sludge?
And how many people use this system?
I would think the settling would be constant and the break down would be a slow bottom build up. The baffles in the tank should keep any big stuff from getting to the drain field and allow that settle. Agitation within the tank should be minimal.
All that to say, are you sure it is sick?
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Brettny
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2025 07:09am
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Have you called another septic company? RV macerator pump should work fine. Theres still going to be alot of liquids to deal with.
My driveway is 700' and steep at the 300' section. This tank location is one of my major concerns if I put a septic in. In my case this means putting the tank 300' from the cabin..that's slot of money in 4in drain line.
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FishHog
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2025 07:28am
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before you pump, I'd mix it up the best I could. At work we used to us a crud buster (big mixer blade on a drill), but you could agitate it with water or air. Otherwise you liquid will go first and you will be left with solids. At the least, use a hose to wash sludge to your pump as your pumping
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jsahara24
Member
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2025 09:31am
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Id say pump it into 2-IBC totes (or similar) and bring them to where the pump truck can get too.
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travellerw
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2025 03:57pm - Edited by: travellerw
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Not sure why you think its bad bad bad.. Here in Canada if you are in a rural area surface pump out is not only allowed but completely normal. Tons of farmers pump their tanks themselves. 3-5 peoples poop is nothing when you think about the 1000 head of cattle that farmer owns.
Anyway I digress. We use a Little Giant 10SC-CIM cast iron sewage pump. It will pretty much eat anything and is rated to be left in the hole.
https://www.amazon.ca/Little-Giant-10SC-CIM-Submersible-511432/dp/B0C7HLFXWN?crid=3GA 3HFDV5L1BH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.W0M-DOLMoGIy-KUV5OyIVW8KvTEws_vHVEetSpqDlRu9PXbF6I4vev7fp oqtL42HP1CWYlRICOdBCVAbJQhWoU9D6DUpXy295GdaK4hfOubCchsIYkEpKQ8GDsQ90s_UY0cMgphAlTDSpX ZUNnAGnXeFBxQg4sonR4cdcALf7WO7rLjQJTQNBIhRKEntVODi5K-owGg7BEg_AXzHd_K4nQhyQ-IJqIhdIDp 5Zhz0eI9dwkFa9KgJJOP7BNlnHpX4ijg7lipmwUOsEIJ_0gUNbhXbRfD9gdVKk2klH-z5t4A.RY_LekLVgKj4 NEFPeWacNCSqIoHlXX967qv-5woBe-c&dib_tag=smacab-20&keywords=sewage+pump&qid=1757015747 &sprefi x=sewage+pump%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-5&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.a47c58ca-3c50-43d7-a4fc-fb714 91f9720
P.S. Watch the Amazon warehouse (their return sales) as you can often get it for under $200
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 4 Sep 2025 06:55pm
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Just noticed today in my travels a local porta-jon outfit has a 1200gal cap small truck for servicing the portas; maybe give one of those guys a call.
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FishHog
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# Posted: 5 Sep 2025 07:22am
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Quoting: gcrank1 Just noticed today in my travels a local porta-jon outfit has a 1200gal cap small truck for servicing the portas; maybe give one of those guys a call.
Thats a good idea. Lots of those guys run F450's with small vacuum tanks on the back. If you can drive to it they could. Might save you a lot of work
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Brettny
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# Posted: 7 Sep 2025 04:51am
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The IBC tote idea is good. Then you could rinse the bladders and throw them away. You would be left with some firewood cages. I would call a few local companies to see if they will pump from a tote first though.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 9 Sep 2025 10:17am
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This thread underscores how nice it has been having a composting (diy) T system at our place. No more pits to dig, no pumping (or bill for same) etc.
Yes, I do have some little maintenance; ie, dump the T bucket into the big compost bin once a month (easy carry), no bugs or odor.
Grey water goes down a simple dry well (w/o any tank) so no sewage and we take care to not have a bunch of cooking solids or grease go into it. If we wanted to be fancy Id install a 'grease trap/filter' to easily get at.
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paulz
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# Posted: 12 Sep 2025 07:27pm - Edited by: paulz
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Late to the party but heres mine. 110v, garden hose hookup. It will handle anything that will flow. No brand ID, sorry.
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UpNorth48
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# Posted: 24 Oct 2025 11:25am
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Update: how it went down hoping it helps someone else. Thanks to all for your input above.
I rented a 2" trash pump with 100' of discharge line plus another 100' I purchased. I pumped fresh water into the tank steady for about 1 hour (from the lake... 1.5" line) alternating back and forth between chambers till the water ran clear(ish). I was careful not to let it get to the outlet level. I used my own intake line and drilled 3/4" holes in the basket. They plugged at first with hair but half a dozen basket cleanings and we were good to go. I unplugged the volute once but that probably wasn't really necessary. Puddle o' crap deep in the bush, sprinkled this years wood ashes on it to kill the pH. Interested to see what happens in the spring.
This worked for me because 1) no crust layer, we are very careful with what goes down the drain, no dishwasher or laundry detergent, minimal grease, minimal toilet paper... pee paper went in a garbage (the joys of off grid... but we have indoor plumbing  2) the solids really weren't, just quarter sized bits of mush. Flushed the equipment with heavily chlorinated water, Done!
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