BajaNomad

Very Excited!!!!!

Bajagypsy - 3-10-2008 at 08:32 PM

Just got word, that our foundation for our super shed/quest house will be started this month!!!!

Our dreams are slowly coming true!!!!

lingililingili - 3-10-2008 at 08:37 PM

Congratulations!

Diver - 3-10-2008 at 08:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajagypsy
Just got word, that our foundation for our super shed/quest house will be started this month!!!!

Our dreams are slowly coming true!!!!


I wish your dreams a faster schedule than my septic tank construction !!
Go Fernando, go !!

.

docsmom - 3-17-2008 at 09:23 PM

Gypsy's,
Congrats to you! You must be so excited!
Please keep the updates coming, we're living vicariously through you!

"We are short little Mexican's trapped in tall skinny white man bodies..."
I so get it!
Docsmom

DENNIS - 3-18-2008 at 07:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Diver

I wish your dreams a faster schedule than my septic tank construction !!
Go Fernando, go !!.


I don't know what you're going through, Diver. Probably hell. I bought my tank, 1000 gallons, in the states and brought it down in the back of my pickup. It cost $1000 bucks plus 14% duty. It was in the ground in no time. I don't know why somebody hasn't imported these things for resale. It would be considered a public service.

Bajalover - 3-18-2008 at 07:44 AM

Congratulations Bajagypsy:tumble::tumble:. I was just flipping through the threads and wasn't going to sign in until I saw your post.
Will you tell us your whole story????? It would be eye opening and a fun way to experience your delight.
Good luck on your new home and many wonderful adventures ahead of you. Look forward to hearing updates and your progress. "Baja" isn't a great place!!!

Diver - 3-18-2008 at 08:40 AM

I hear the work on Gypsy's foundation is going well.
My septci contractor is doing the work !!

Thanks Dennis - my hindsite is killing me !!

.

Tiomiguel - 3-23-2008 at 09:09 AM

Seems like we are all competing for Fernando's time. Interesting thought to bring down a tank, I had ours done just digging a hole with concrete blocks surrounding, I think. But then again, theres lots of sand at our place. Is is different Gypsy when you are digging in rock and suggested to use a tank. I assume the tank leeches out. Diver, are you putting a tank in or just digging like I did.
Happy Easter guys, can't wait for Jane and I to get back down there.

Diver - 3-23-2008 at 09:50 AM

Hola Miquel !

So here's my take on Baja septic systems;
If your tank location is in good sand or gravel most folks just biuld a 2 chamber tank and leave the bottom of the second chamber open to the sand/rock. Since the soil has a good perc rate, this will often be sufficient for a few RVs or for part-timers. If you need more capacity, you need more room to add some leech lines to your tank.
With a poly tank, they are water tight so you have to add the leech lines and will definitley need more room for your system, even if it is just for minimal usage.
Given the current situation with labor in Asuncion, it is worth considering if you have the room.
We decided to build a block tank as described above which will be fine for at least a few years until we are there more of the year. We hit fractured rock about half way down but it should still perc well enough and we can add leech lines in future (probably take 2-3 years just to fill the tank).
Gypsy's are farther off the water but I would guess they will hit some fractured rock 3-5 feet down. A sand layer of 30-36 inches will allow for a good leech field.
.

jorgie - 3-23-2008 at 09:57 AM

Diver did ya hit shells ???

Iflyfish - 3-23-2008 at 10:05 AM

I sure hope this thread holds, I look forward to hearing and seeing the work on these projects. Very exciting projects!

Iflyfish

Tiomiguel - 3-23-2008 at 10:13 AM

Thanks for your response Ira, you have described my system to a T with the two chambers. We have had no trouble yet as in "Hawaii", it seems that it evaporates pretty quickly. Hopefully won't have to make it any bigger in the future. The Gypsy's hopefully won't run into a problem of a full tank. You know they don't have any honey wagons down there that I have ever seen. I think that when chambers get full, they just dig another hole.
We've had a heck of a winter here, hope you are enjoying being back to work in the wintry north. We just got back from Bahamas, Exuma Islands, on a friends sailboat. Makes you appreciate Mexico, beer was same cost for one can as for 6 pack in BA. Other costs huge as well, but the water was 78 degrees and nice. You can buy a one bedroom condo there, water view, for just $900,000 so BA looks pretty good to me.
Say hi to Pam and the kids for me.

Diver - 3-23-2008 at 10:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jorgie
Diver did ya hit shells ???


No shells, no gold and there will definitely be no basement under our casita !!
.

longlegsinlapaz - 3-23-2008 at 02:48 PM

I KNOW you guys all got an environmental impact study & got a construction permit, but did they happen to mention that leech systems are no longer being approved in (at minimum) Baja Sur?:no: The ONLY thing being approved is the enclosed plastic tanks which require a pumper truck to empty them. They're not even approving plastered block systems what don't leech! I doubt that your area is real high on PROFECO's cold-call list, but be advised that when they do finally get to remote areas, they have no sense of humor, and the fines are $100,000 pesos. PLUS you have to pay for an environmental damage report! I'd suggest that you check with the closest SEMERNAT & Catastrol offices & if anyone tells you none of this necessary for your specific area, ask them to put it in writing on official federal agency letterhead. Just a word to the unwary, under- or mis-informed.

Diver - 3-23-2008 at 02:54 PM

Interesting Legs,

They would have to fine everyone in Asuncion and 90% of Baja ! :lol:
Try to get $100,000 pesos out of the locals !! :no:
.

vandenberg - 3-23-2008 at 03:03 PM

Diver,
I don't think LL is referring to old construction, where it should be grandfathered in, but new construction. Since she has build several houses in La Paz, better heed her advice, even as it may end up not being pertinent to your situation. Better save than sorry, solid Baja advice.

longlegsinlapaz - 3-23-2008 at 03:18 PM

I just gave the current information as it was applied to my building permit December 2006. I know locals can't afford those fines! But PROFECO will put a cease work order on any & all work on the property, if they happen to wander by! I know you're pretty remote, but the folks at Punta Chivato thought they were remote....until the day PROFECO came to town. You roll the dice & you take your chances!

Vandenberg is correct, this change was enacted sometime between my second construction permit in February 2004 & my third (& LAST!) in December 2006; existing systems are exempt. As are some tiny plots of land owned by locals if the land is classified as "rustico", but my current construction fell into the geographical area they considered "rustico"....yet I was required to do an EIS & my original plan for a plastered sealed septic system with no leech was denied!

(edit date from 2007 to 2006!)

[Edited on 3-24-2008 by longlegsinlapaz]

longlegsinlapaz - 3-23-2008 at 07:59 PM

You aren't ignorant! You got it in one read.:yes: Anyone building or going through legal channels & following current laws since sometime prior to December 2006 will have to get pumped out periodically....me included!:no::( At least I have some hope that sewer will eventually make it's way to my new place....but it may be a few years as I'm outside of the core Lomas Centenario area.

Edit typo

[Edited on 3-24-2008 by longlegsinlapaz]

DENNIS - 3-23-2008 at 08:18 PM

Wow....You folks down south are SOOOOO regulated. I live twenty miles south of Ensenada and we need nothing as far as permits for anything is concerned. We're in the grid but have few city services so, considered rural. They, whoever they are, leave us alone. Good.

shari - 3-25-2008 at 04:42 PM

hmmm..maybe we should invest in a honey wagon..should we figure tips into our crappy prices?

Bob and Susan - 3-25-2008 at 05:12 PM

if Profepa comes in and halts your construction because you are "not in compliance" then you can pay for a "bond" to complete the construction

the "fine" is fixed by Profepa

there is no "fixed" price for the fine

the "bond" is returned as soon as you comply with the resolution letter you get from Profepa after you are "cited"