BajaNomad

Active Sewage Treatment Systems

ncampion - 8-5-2009 at 12:00 PM

Anybody know about the latest requirement from SEMERNAT for sewage treatment systems that require active aeration and other "treatments"? This has been stipulated in our environmental impact permit and I found a couple of systems, both of which take a 1/2hp electric motor to run which will totally killl my solar system. Apparently It's no longer OK for a simple two chamber tank with leech field. HELP
:?:


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805gregg - 8-5-2009 at 06:43 PM

Does anyone in your area have one of those? I doubt it

DENNIS - 8-5-2009 at 06:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ncampion
Anybody know about the latest requirement from SEMERNAT for sewage treatment systems that require active aeration and other "treatments"? This has been stipulated in our environmental impact permit and I found a couple of systems, both of which take a 1/2hp electric motor to run which will totally killl my solar system. Apparently It's no longer OK for a simple two chamber tank with leech field. HELP
:?:


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What could be more efficient than an adaquate size, healthy septic system?
You folks down there are sooo over-regulated. Seems like everybody just wants a piece of your wallet.

ncampion - 8-5-2009 at 08:54 PM

Quote:
Quote:
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What could be more efficient than an adaquate size, healthy septic system?
You folks down there are sooo over-regulated. Seems like everybody just wants a piece of your wallet.


Sorry to tell you, but this is not a BCS thing, it is a Mexico thing. Seems they learned from the US.


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Stickers - 8-5-2009 at 09:09 PM

Up here NOB we have always built 3 chamber septic tanks with either a cesspool or leech line system after the tank. First perked the ground to make sure it would work. The systems I have seen SOB were never built this way. :?:


[Edited on 8-6-2009 by Stickers]

Paulclark - 8-5-2009 at 11:03 PM

This system is approved---http://h2obaja.com/index.html
or try rotoplast, I think they have a system.

DENNIS - 8-6-2009 at 05:51 AM

I'll bet they'll even sell you a "special" permit for one of these:

http://www.thenaturalhome.com/compost.html

Marla Daily - 8-6-2009 at 06:35 AM

Can you share your experience in going through the process to get your environmental impact permit please? Who did what and for how much?

ncampion - 8-6-2009 at 08:08 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paulclark
This system is approved---http://h2obaja.com/index.html
or try rotoplast, I think they have a system.


Hey, that Mighty Mac looks like the hot ticket. Only uses 60 watts of power. Thanks for the lead.


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Paulclark - 8-6-2009 at 09:17 AM

Marla -- the environmental impact depends on your location and the size of your lot-- u2u me with details and I will share what i know.

elizabeth - 8-6-2009 at 09:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by ncampion
Anybody know about the latest requirement from SEMERNAT for sewage treatment systems that require active aeration and other "treatments"? This has been stipulated in our environmental impact permit and I found a couple of systems, both of which take a 1/2hp electric motor to run which will totally killl my solar system. Apparently It's no longer OK for a simple two chamber tank with leech field. HELP
:?:


.




What could be more efficient than an adaquate size, healthy septic system?
You folks down there are sooo over-regulated. Seems like everybody just wants a piece of your wallet.


Aerobic or cloth filter pre treatment. Whether a simple gravity system (tank and leach field) works to treat, rather than to simply dispose effluent depends upon the quality of soil and perc rates. In ideal soil, and with 3 feet to groundwater the gravity system is sufficient...it is actually the soil below the system that ultimately treats wastewater. The tank performs a first stage treatment, but it's the soil that does the job to prevent untreated effluent from entering the water table.

If you build a gravity system in sand, it seems to work well because it simply disposes. You would need 20 feet from groundwater for it to treat effluent in most sandy soils.

With an aerobic system, you are best off to add uv treatment to get rid of pathogens, but aerobic systems do not work well with intermittent use. So, unless the home is occupied pretty much full time, a cloth filter system is best. I think they are best anyway, and work well with drip irrigation instead of traditional leach lines. See advantex systems by Orenco in Oregon. They are used a lot in difficult areas, and have a good track record.

Probably more than you want to hear...but, I have learned a lot about systems in Stinson Beach over the last 20 years, as a director of the water district that monitors and oversees construction of systems. I've done a couple of courses in small systems, as well. All systems in SB are on-site.