Big Green: Septic system alternatives

[Ralph Bicknese]

Thanks Bill.  

 

I appreciate your input and I like the idea but it does raise several
questions. 

 

.         I assume primary treatment is done in a "septic tank" for solids
and liquid goes into the wetlands, not solid waste. Is that correct?

.         Does the liquid  flow through the dosing lines after the tank and
before going into the wetlands or do they come out of the wetlands?  In
either case I am assuming the wetlands could be a "pond-like" area but could
also be more of a wet garden.

.         I'm curious of what the impact of a freezing climate like the St.
Louis area would be on conveyance into and out of the wetlands and dosing
lines 

 

Any ideas of design professionals that could help with this on a smallish
single family residence and on a larger facility combining some residences
and offices?

 

Cheers,

Ralph

 

From: Bill Reed [mailto:reed at integrativedesign.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:00 AM
To: Ralph Bicknese; 'Jennifer Hendricks'; biggreen at lists.biggreen.org
Subject: *****SPAM***** Re: Big Green: Septic system alternatives

 

Ralph et al,

We typically use constructed wetland systems.  In more than a few cases they
have been less costly to install than conventional septic systems.
Particularly where soil strata and type require that leech field lines are
installed more than six feet deep.  The wetland 'waste' water is at tertiary
level and with additional filtration is at a potable level.  Thus, we
install the leech lines (dosing lines in the case of wetlands) at 10" below
grade saving money.  We also save having to reserve an extra leech field
area because the dosing field has no suspended solids to clog it after years
of use. 

Best regards,

Bill


Bill Reed, AIA, LEED
Regenesis
Integrative Design Collaborative

C.  617.797.6099
T.  781.483.3040 / 505.986.8338
www.regenesisgroup.com
www.integrativedesign.net

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From: Ralph Bicknese <rbicknese at hellmuth-bicknese.com>
Organization: Hellmuth - Bicknese Architecture LLC
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:30:14 -0500
To: 'Jennifer Hendricks' <jshendricks at napervilleparks.org>,
<biggreen at lists.biggreen.org>
Subject: Big Green: Septic system alternatives

Jennifer:
 
I have no experience with the Dri-Let toilet system.  However this does
raise a related issue that we have been struggling with.  What are green
recommendations for replacing a conventional septic system?  
 
As much as I like them, a living machine is probably not an option in this
case due mostly to cost. Residential septic systems are typically installed
for $10-15k so costs would need to be relatively comparable. We have also
heard of "drip irrigation" systems but I have no experience with them.
 
Cheers,
Ralph Bicknese
 
 

From: biggreen-bounces at lists.biggreen.org
[mailto:biggreen-bounces at lists.biggreen.org] On Behalf Of Jennifer Hendricks
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 7:56 AM
To: 'biggreen at lists.biggreen.org'
Subject: Big Green: Dri-Let 

Does anyone have experience with the Dri-Let toilet systems?  They're
billing themselves as an environmentally friendly self-contained, compact,
portable, electric powered toilet system that processes waste into a fine
ash.  I'd love to hear your reviews of the product, if any of you have used
it.  http://www.DriLet-America.com
 
Jennifer Strauss Hendricks, RLA
Project Manager, Naperville Park District
320 W. Jackson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
Phone: 630-848-3597, Fax: 630-848-5019

q Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.



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