We are about to build a pavilion near the pond and need ideas for an outhouse that will use the pond water to flush. We do not have any water or power source at this point. Any ideas? Is it also possible to use the water to run into a sink to clean fish, etc? using a filter? Planning to build an outdoor kitchen. Haven't searched this site for answers, so starting here first! We are going to try to generate power from the pond overflow using a water wheel.....where should I post questions about this?
For some reason I came across this a few months back and wondered if it worked. Thought it might be handy for remote locations. Perhaps someone has seen these in use somewhere?
You could get a cistern or other water tank and install gutters to catch water from the pavilion or other roof. You might have to elevate the water tank on a sturdy foundation. Contact the county department of health to see what types of septic tanks are approved for your area.
If you are not concerned about Health Dept. approval you can make a small septic system with a 55 gal drum, 20 foot of perforated 4" pipe and gravel. I built one several years ago. Let me know if you need details.
As for the toilet/water system, use one from an RV. They run off a 12V battery that can be hooked up to a solar charger. Or better yet put the outhouse below the dam and use gravity to flush.
I'm 2-4 years off of doing something similar at our pond.
mudhole, along those lines, a neighbor did the same thing, but used a couple hundred gallon tank. He has it pumped out every year too. He has a cabin by the pond and put in a "outhouse" with running water and a flush toilet.
You could use food grade 55 gallon plastic drums as holding tanks. They're inexpensive ($10 to $20) They come equipped with a 2 inch threaded bung hole, where piping can be connected. The drum could be placed horizontally, on an elevated stand, outside of the outhouse, and piped to a commode, thus, providing gravity fed water. Fifty five gallons would provide about thirty-six 1.5 gallon flushes.
The same could be done with a kitchen sink. You could use some type of inline filtration system between the tank and the sink. You could also hook up a shower, and if the holding tank gets some sun exposure, you'll have solar heated water.
An underground filler pipe could be run from the holding tanks, to the pond, where you could connect to an electric, or gasoline powered pump, and suck water from the pond, to refill the holding tank, or tanks. This filler pipe could also be used to drain the system, for winter prep, or to prevent stagnate water.
You could use food grade 55 gallon plastic drums as holding tanks. They're inexpensive ($10 to $20) They come equipped with a 2 inch threaded bung hole, where piping can be connected. The drum could be placed horizontally, on an elevated stand, outside of the outhouse, and piped to a commode, thus, providing gravity fed water. Fifty five gallons would provide about thirty-six 1.5 gallon flushes.
The same could be done with a kitchen sink. You could use some type of inline filtration system between the tank and the sink. You could also hook up a shower, and if the holding tank gets some sun exposure, you'll have solar heated water.
An underground filler pipe could be run from the holding tanks, to the pond, where you could connect to an electric, or gasoline powered pump, and suck water from the pond, to refill the holding tank, or tanks. This filler pipe could also be used to drain the system, for winter prep, or to prevent stagnate water.
Attached is a picture of our system at our remote camp. At most the system is used for three months out of the year and never have had a problem.
Don's drawing inspired me to draw a diagram pertaining to my previous post. (picture = 1,000 words) This is for water supply. Multiple drums at one location can be piped together for more volume. Drums in multiple locations can be piped together with the underground fill pipe and filled simultaneously, or separately, using block valves. I think Mudhole, and Don's idea for a small septic system would work. If you don't want to go through the trouble of installing a septic system, and you're not too sqeamish, I provided a link for portable waste tanks. They have wheels. Therefore, they can be rolled off into the distance and dumped. (Note: disposable ear plugs also make good nose plugs) After dumping, cover the poop with lime or campfire ash.
The commode could be installed on a raised floor or platform inside the outhouse, high enough to allow the drain pipe to exit the outside wall, where it can be connected to a portable waste tank.
The drains for a sink and shower can spill onto the ground, in an area where you don't mind having a temporary puddle. Use eco friendly dish detergent and soap. Portable waste tanks
For the drains and the sink I like to just dig a hole and fill it with 3/4 stone then top off with some soil and grass. You would be so surprised at how much water a yard of gravel can hold. If you keep the hole long and only 18"s deep, in full sun you will never have a problem unless you hook a dish washer to it..... Tee he he.
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I think Mudhole, and Don's idea for a small septic system would work. If you don't want to go through the trouble of installing a septic system, and you're not too sqeamish, I provided a link for portable waste tanks. They have wheels. Therefore, they can be rolled off into the distance and dumped. (Note: disposable ear plugs also make good nose plugs) After dumping, cover the poop with lime or campfire ash.
