DIY Tote Septic

[huntingfanatic]

We used multiple plastic barrels at the lease 20
years ago. Have had zero problems

[bboswell]

I have 3 DIY septic systems one with cement tank, one with 400 gal tote and one with 55 gal plastic drum. they have all been in place for years and have functioned perfectly.

Over time a crust will form on top of the water in the tank so turn your inflow and outflow pipes down 90* about 1' below the full tank level so the ends are in "clean" water below this crust. All three pipe the discharge about 50' and then it drains on the ground, never had a smell from any of them.

[bboswell]

Got a septic for my shop priced out and immediately decided to do it myself. I've seen several examples of the IBC totes being used with success. Anyone ever done it and what is some pointers?

Shop has 2 sinks, shower, toilet, washer.

Thanks in advance.

a single tote will handle that load with ease but keep in mind there is really no reason to run the grey water from sinks and shower into the septic, those can just be piped away and allowed to drain on the ground.

[Lslite]

A cousin did this for his shop and got caught. I believe he had to pay a fine and was given 30 days to replace it with an approved system. Cost him more money in the end.

[hully1029]

A cousin did this for his shop and got caught. I believe he had to pay a fine and was given 30 days to replace it with an approved system. Cost him more money in the end.

I was going to have it done, so had the pre-permit survey and drawings done. I will be going to the county and getting a permit before I begin.

[bboswell]

I was going to have it done, so had the pre-permit survey and drawings done. I will be going to the county and getting a permit before I begin.

I don't believe your going to get a permit on a plastic Tote as a septic tank and I also don't believe you find a licensed plumber that will install a plastic Tote

[gonehuntin]

A cousin did this for his shop and got caught. I believe he had to pay a fine and was given 30 days to replace it with an approved system. Cost him more money in the end.

A member on this board, I will not name, got nailed in Coleman county with a bootleg septic. The fine and removal was more than a legit septic system install.

[AntlerCollector]

I’ve built them with 55 gallon plastic barrels. Link two of them together and then a field line. Haven’t had any issues

[justletmein]

We've looked into this, but I wouldn't recommend a plastic tote. That material is brittle and will eventually crack and cave (IMO). There's some quite good elaborate systems designed with plastic 55 gallon drum barrels though, might look into some of those.

[brokeno]

This is what I have seen. A 55 gallon blue plastic drum. Dig a hole and bury it so the pipe coming out of the building has a little slope and add a 90 and cut a hole in the top of the barrel and use a commode plastic o ring and drop it in the barrel. Cut a whole in the side of the barrel near the top. And another o ring a push the pipe in the side 3-4 inches and run it away from the house make sure you attach the pipe some kind of way so they don’t move when covering with dirt. I have a video some where if you want to see it I’ll see if I can find it. Pm if interested