rv lot and septic

mowermech wrote:


What is the worst that can happen? Someday your or your heirs may want to sell the property. An illegal septic system just might stop the sale until the system is removed (and the contaminated soil replaced) or replaced with a legal system.
IMO, do it right or don't do it!

1. As any farmer knows "septic" soil is NOT contamination. The only function of the "tank" it to digest the solids (WITHOUT air) so they do not clog the leach field.

2. The "EPA approved" specification on any leach field it that it can NOT be too deep so that surface digestion can continue WITH surface air.

Remember the old movie "The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank".

TenOC wrote:

TenOC wrote:
55 Gal drum. Cut some holes in it. Attach 3 or 4 inch plastic (PVC or Black) drain lines with holes for drainage. Gravel around the drain lines. I am full time living in the RV and my drain lines are 30 feet long. No problems after 5 years.

Only once a week you may not need a leach field. Simply cut some holes in the drum near the top and bury it with about 4 - 6 inches of gravel around the drum for drainage.

What is the worst that can happen. If it does not work after a few years (due to your soil conditions) then (if you are still alive) you can pay $$$$ to have it done right. . . . :B . . . :B


When I moved to South FL on a very small lot with very limited space for to park the TT, DW and I need to live in my TT for 6 months while I remolded my home. With the sandy soil of South FL I only dug a trench and added 4 section of black drain pipe one on top of the other for my septic tank/leach field. No 55 Gal drum. Not legal but it worked for the time I lived fulltime in the TT.

What is the worst that can happen? Someday your or your heirs may want to sell the property. An illegal septic system just might stop the sale until the system is removed (and the contaminated soil replaced) or replaced with a legal system.
IMO, do it right or don't do it!

The septic system at our home in California is about 29 yrs. old. We've owned it for 20 yrs. and only had it pumped out once during the first year while under renovation. The painter cleaned his brushes out in the utility room with turpentine which killed the bacteria in the tank. About a year later we started getting a back-up.

Once pumped and restarted, it has worked flawlessly for 19 yrs. We put Rid-X in once a month. We have two 1,500 gallon tanks with a leach field.

There was talk a while back that we could connect to city services and I would if we could. But, all twenty one homes in our gated community would have to agree and each home would be assessed.

Safe travels,
MM.

Don't do anything until you check on your area's codes. If you do it on your own and they find out you'll have a huge fine.

Most places in Florida the water table is just under the surface, I would worry about contamination of the groundwater. Get a properly designed and permitted system to avoid costly cleanup and fines.

IdaD wrote:
I think I pay around $250 to have my septic pumped every few years, and I think it's a 1000 gallon tank.

You're talking a septic system, I'm talking a holding tank. They're bigger and cheaper to pump since it's mostly fluid.

A holding tank does not release anything into the ground (if not broken) most townships welcome them.

TenOC wrote:
...What is the worst that can happen...

What is the worst that can happen? - You get a $5,000.00 fine and then are forced to build a proper septic system anyway.

TenOC wrote:
55 Gal drum. Cut some holes in it. Attach 3 or 4 inch plastic (PVC or Black) drain lines with holes for drainage. Gravel around the drain lines. I am full time living in the RV and my drain lines are 30 feet long. No problems after 5 years.

Only once a week you may not need a leach field. Simply cut some holes in the drum near the top and bury it with about 4 - 6 inches of gravel around the drum for drainage.

What is the worst that can happen. If it does not work after a few years (due to your soil conditions) then (if you are still alive) you can pay $$$$ to have it done right. . . . :B . . . :B


When I moved to South FL on a very small lot with very limited space for to park the TT, DW and I need to live in my TT for 6 months while I remolded my home. With the sandy soil of South FL I only dug a trench and added 4 section of black drain pipe one on top of the other for my septic tank/leach field. No 55 Gal drum. Not legal but it worked for the time I lived fulltime in the TT.

Johno02 wrote:
Probably the biggest thing is to make sure you land leaches,(or perks) ok. Some of the clay or rocky soils in parts of Alabama won't. Check your local codes.

This. Any offer you make should be contingent on results of perc testing. Not only could the soil not perc at all, it might require a huge amount of field line that could be really expensive. Perc ability depends on type of soil plus the amount of slope to the lot.

You might put some yeast down to start the septic going, but shouldn't need anything after that at all. Don't put junk chemicals in your holding tank.

Do be sure to dump your black tank followed by gray and a good flush every week, and leave a little water in the black tank to keep any remaining solids from drying up.

Since you've been in Fla since 1985 you should have some idea how over regulated even rural counties can be. You may be required to have five acres to do what you want so you fall under agriculture. Before you can get electric you most likely will have to put in an approved/inspected septic system assuming they will let you live in a trailer without building a house. Research carefully before buying.