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Hinezy
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2013 18:26
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My recently acquired land has a grandfathered outhouse that I'd like to use. The problem is that it doesn't have much of a hole in it. I'm guessing it was filled with sediment from the flooding as it's right by the creek and appears to be solid earth, not human waste. I was thinking of trying to get some sort of plastic bin for the underneath and filling it with water and porta potty solution and having it pumped out when needed by a local septic waste company. Has anyone done this or have any advice?
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bostonman98
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2013 19:42
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Can you not use it as a regular outhouse? Would you have freezing issues? Having it pumped out seems like it would be quite a hassle. If you could I would suggest digging out the hole and using as is.
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Hinezy
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2013 19:49
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Well, the reason I don't want to dig it out and use it as a traditional outhouse is the fact that once it's full I can't move it as its grandfathered in. I don't think pumping would be a big issue. We are only going to be using it on weekends during the camping season. I'm guessing it'd only have to be pumped once a year and there is easy access to it for pumping.
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2013 20:47
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How close is it to the creek?
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Hinezy
Member
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# Posted: 27 Feb 2013 21:36
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About 50 feet
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PA_Bound
Member
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# Posted: 28 Feb 2013 08:38 - Edited by: PA_Bound
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Have you looked into replacing your outhouse with a "vault privy"? It's similar to what you are discussing, but replaces your plastic bin with a 1000 gallon (or something around that) closed septic tank.
The benefit of these is that unlike the plastic bin-idea, you can get a legitmate permit for these in most places in PA not served by sewer, so you would not have to worry about having any issues with the code police. They do need to be pumped, but it's like once every 12 years.
Here is the link to the PA code that provides more detail URL.
You should also check with your local township office for any specific requirements or processes they may have.
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Hinezy
Member
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# Posted: 28 Feb 2013 16:12
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That seems like a great option, perhaps in the future. It sounds a little expensive for my budget right now, having just purchased the land. I'm thinking I can do the initial idea for next to nothing. Who or where do you get a vault privy?
Thanks!
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PA_Bound
Member
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# Posted: 28 Feb 2013 17:22
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There are two parts to this. For the vault itself, check with any local excavator. In PA, particularly in the more rural areas, there are tons of people that can do this. To them this is like installing a septic system, without the drain field. We had the hole dug, the tank delivered and set, and then covered- in less than a day.
The second part is building the new out-building on top. That's up to you... although there are some rouch specifications that need to be adhered to.
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tsvoyager
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2013 12:48
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My neighbor up north uses a regular toilet with a rain water system in his out house, the waste goes in to a plasitc holding tank.
Once the job at hand is done, you can flush just like at home, to fill up the tank, you turn a handle above the toliet to fill the tank from rain barrel. This system was approved by the county. Just another idea for you to think about.
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PA_Bound
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2013 15:31
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voyager... what you describe is exactly what I wanted to do... but in PA could not get permission (permit) to do it. The two different Townships I spoke with both regarded this as a "pressurized" system- and any pressurized system requires a full-blown, perc tested, designed septic system.
I actually have a Township-approved permit to install a full septic system on my property. But at estimates around $18K to install it, it's just not feasible for an off-grid, recreational cabin. When I complained, the sewer authority came back with the aforementioned vault privy option. I'm still considering my options.
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 3 Mar 2013 22:34
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I applaud your efforts to use the vault method. 50 feet to a stream might be too close.
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