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septic to cistern
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Posted by wianno (My Page) on Tue, Nov 17, 09 at 16:30
| My town is completing the septic collection system and I should be able to connect in the next few months and get rid of my failing septic.
I asked the town about converting my tanks to cisterns and was told that this use has been approved. So, now's the time to think if this is worth it.
My use will be for watering my 7000 sq-ft lawn ONLY.
details:
I have two 1000 gallon concrete tanks. 1 will be used for the new maserator pump and chamber. That leaves me with 1 1000 gallon tank to use. Currently, all my down spouts are connected to a pipe that runs by the tank. I can divert the pipe into the tank and pick up the overflow on the other side with little work. I can run power to the chamber for a sprinkler pump when they install the electrics for the mascerator pump.
The main junction for the sprinklers is about 5 feet away from this chamber, so thats an easy install too. All in all, its an easy install and I can leverage the conversion work economically.
The question then only becomes: is a 1000 gallon tank worth the conversion or is it just too small to be used consistently? I have about 7000sq-ft of lawn to water, and I live in New England. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: septic to cistern
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| The tank volume sounds great but unless I am missing something, I would think a septic tank would have to be cleaned up pretty good before using it for that purpose. The first thing that comes to my mind is e-coli along with some other nasty stuff. |
RE: septic to cistern
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| Farmers use that stuff routinely to fertilize the crops without any treatment. They grow corn and grain which you then eat as cereal and bread. |
RE: septic to cistern
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| The tank can be pumped out by a normal septic sucker service. Use a little extra care and water from the hose to wash it down a little above normal. |
RE: septic to cistern
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| They have guidelines for cleaning, so its not an issue. My understanding in cleaning is as follows: pump and hose down, then fill with water and about 5 gallons of bleach. Let stand for a few days/weeks and test the water for chlorine (ie: pool test kit) until the chlorine level falls to near nill, then your all set. Any other comments on size of tank? |
RE: septic to cistern
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| 1000gl is approximately 135 cuFt of water. This will cover your 7000 sqFt yard to a depth of approximately 1/4th inch. So it depends on how much watering you intend to do and how often you intend to do it. |
RE: septic to cistern
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| I thought there were prohibitions on using human waste for farm fertilizer. I know in Mexico, S.E. Asia and other areas it is used routinely. I knew there had to be some standards for using a septic tank for that purpose. The bleaching process sounds quite logical. |
RE: septic to cistern
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| Raw human waste is bad. However the stuff farmers use is treated solids from the end of the process. |
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