permaculture

[Robyn Francis <erda@nor.com.au>]

On 19/3/04 11:48 AM, "John Ferree" <seldom.seen@earthlink.net> wrote:
> i recently found out that my septic system was a little less complex
> than i had hoped (*really* old house).  the small tank hooks into clay
> tile, snakes a bit and continues down a hill and then drains about 20'
> from a small creek.  >
> The layout. . . < 50', 10-15' drop to creek off the NE corner of house.
> 75-100', 15' drop to creek straight north of soil pipe.  The soil is
> heavy clay with a hardpan 18-24" down.  There is room for *something*
> north of the house that will have adequate clearance from the creek and
> aquifer contamination is not an issue with the lower soil horizons.
> 
I John,
Have you considered running your septic tank effluent through a reed bed or
constructed wetland. Especially in clay soils with little permeability this
is the safest treatment for the environment. You'll need to either use heavy
duty pond liner or some other form of containment (cattle water troughs are
used a lot locally). The reed bed requires a 50cm (20") deep layer of gravel
for the waster water to flow through and the reeds are planted into the
gravel - suitable species include Phragmites (common rush), Typha (cattail)
and Cyperus (especially papyrus). For blackwater treatment the recommended
surface area is 2.8 square m (approx 25-30 squ ft) per person.
Robyn