DianaT
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Hand Water Pump
A while back we asked about obtaining a hand water pump, and at the suggestion of Bob and Susan we found just the right one at Habor Freight and here
it is installed.
For our grey water, we have a seperate small septic type structure--- it hold the water, but it also leeches out. There are not real septic
structures here---what they call a septic is really a glorified fancy cesspool.
With the exception of dish water which we empty into the toliet, all of our grey water goes into this semi-holding tank. We mainly use it when the
city water goes off, which can be often, and we don't want to waste tinaco water. But, we only use it for watering plants and toliet flushing.
The pump works great and we really like it.
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Cypress
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Those old-fashioned hand pumps are one-heck-of-a piece of work. Septic
tank/cesspool, nothing fancy there. Always thought there was no difference
between the two. What is the difference, if any?
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jorgie
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that is looking like home !!!
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Diver
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Very nice; and a very nice pot collection as well !
You ARE sure they hooked it up to the right tank !! 
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fulano
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
Those old-fashioned hand pumps are one-heck-of-a piece of work.Septic
tank/cesspool, nothing fancy there. Always thought there was no difference
between the two. What is the difference, if any? |
A septic tank is actually a small sewage treatment system. It is a watertight tank designed to use bacterial action to treat the waste and let
relatively clean water flow out into a leach field and thus back into the underground water supply. The remaining solids settle to the bottom and are
removed by the honey wagon every once in awhile.
A cesspool is a hole in the ground that you crap into.
Now, who was it that said I don't know sh*t? 
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Natalie Ann
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Good use of grey water, Diane. I also use mine... but have nothing that looks so perfect in a garden as does your little hand pump. I love it!
And like Diver, I find the pots real pleasing. One of the first things I learned from my gardening friends on the ranchos - use whatever container is
available for planting.
Lookin' very good, your garden is!
Nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Diver
Very nice; and a very nice pot collection as well !
You ARE sure they hooked it up to the right tank !! |
Not a pleasant thought! 
Jorgie, it is HOME, more and more all the time.
The pots, yes we love the different little pots and pans. All of those came from the nursery on the ejido by Vizcaino. Salvador has lots of his
plants in these and even if we use the plant elsewhere, we find something to fill the pot.
Now I keep my eyes open for other old pots and pans at Segundas.
Hand pump is fun---much better than an electric one, and it does work VERY well.
Oh, our septic is inbetween the septic and cesspool described.
Diane
[Edited on 7-3-2008 by jdtrotter]
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Bob and Susan
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whatever you do DON'T drink that grey water!!!
you can never trust what goes down the drain
make double sure the dogs don't drink it either
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msteve1014
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Do you have a leach field on your septic? Does anybody have one in baja? Im wondering what to expect when I have a septic "system" built. love the
pump and pots. Im sure my wife will have pots everywhere when we get set up.
[Edited on 7-4-2008 by msteve1014]
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
whatever you do DON'T drink that grey water!!!
you can never trust what goes down the drain
make double sure the dogs don't drink it either |
----Dogs get bottled water----they are a tad spoiled. Well, once in a while they
get tap water---ours is not too bad---but NEVER that grey water.
Eversince you introduced us to Habor Freight, we can't stay out of that store.
| Quote: |
Do you have a leach field on your septic? Does anybody have one in baja? Im wondering what to expect when I have a septic "system"
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Steve, I am sure it is different in different parts of Baja. Where we are, we don't have a leach field---but out here things are not built like they
are in more developed areas.
Our septic is a big hole with concrete blocks. Now, Diver could probably explain more how it works---his property has the big hole and the pile of
blocks, but, well, when he left, worked sort of "slowed" down. 
Diane
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Diver
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| Quote: | Originally posted by msteve1014
Do you have a leach field on your septic? Does anybody have one in baja? |
Most do not have leachfields in Baja.
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Cypress
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A hand pump is better than lowering a bucket down to the water and hauling it back up. Modern technology.
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fulano
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jdtrotter
Oh, our septic is in between the septic and cesspool described. |
There is no in between. If you don't have a leach field and nobody did a perc test [both are required by code in the US], all you have is a
concrete-block lined cesspool.
I am sure you have noticed the "ripe" smell wafting around on a warm day whenever you travel around any developments in Baja.
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msteve1014
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Thanks for all the input. i have lots more questions,but I wont drag this thread down that stinky road any farther. Mike
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Diver
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1. A pit in the ground or a single-chamber tank would be considered a cesspool.
2. A 2-chamber tank is considered a septic tank as it allows for digestive action in the first chamber and "tea" water to drain into the second.
3. A drainfield or open-bottom second or third chamber can be considered percolation methods for the "tea" water.
4. Most tanks or closed cesspools don't smell unless they are vented or have been overfilled/overused at which time they should be pumped and treated
with powdered lime to lessen the smell.
Many old Baja homes have a single tank with open bottom; basically a cesspool with a liquids drain.
Many newer Baja homes have 2-chamber septic tanks with open-bottom second chambers.
Some areas are now requiring water-tight tanks with no drainfields to safeguard water sources, to safeguard public health in high groundwater areas or
densely-built neighborhoods, or in areas where insufficient percolation rates exist. These tanks need to be pumped often depending on your use.
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BirdDog
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Diver you sure know your sh*t.
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