Big Green: Re: Septic system alternatives

Fri Mar 14 11:53:30 EDT 2008

What about regulatory issues with constructed wetlands?  I understand PA DEP is slow to approve anything other than a traditional septic system. Does anyone have experience with these in Pennsylvania?

Thanks.

Gary P. Moshier, AIA ▪ Partner ▪ LEED Accredited Professional 
Moshier Studio   Architecture   ▪  Interiors  ▪  Planning    ▪  Sustainable Design 
201 S. Highland Avenue, Suite 203 , Pittsburgh, PA 15206 
P-412-361-5302 ▪ F-412-361-7302
www.moshierstudio.com ▪ gary at moshierstudio.com
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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Septic system alternatives (Charles Brown)

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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:52:57 -0400
From: Charles Brown <charles at brownarchitecture.net>
Subject: Re: Big Green: Septic system alternatives
To: BigGreen List <biggreen at lists.biggreen.org>
Message-ID: <C3FE0139.28EF%charles at brownarchitecture.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

We just compared a system similar to what Bill describes to a conventional
septic system for a small group toilet in a park.  It would have been a wash
or even less given different soil conditions.
Check out; http://waterrecycling.com/

CB

Charles Brown, AIA LEED AP
Brown Architecture Inc.
324 So. Wilmington Street
Box 117
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
charles at brownarchitecture.net
919.280.0741

From: Bill Reed <reed at integrativedesign.net>
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:59:44 -0400
To: Ralph Bicknese <rbicknese at hellmuth-bicknese.com>, 'Jennifer Hendricks'
<jshendricks at napervilleparks.org>, <biggreen at lists.biggreen.org>
Conversation: Big Green: Septic system alternatives
Subject: 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 Œwaste¹ 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 10² 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 ³drip irrigation² 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

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