Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Feb 28, 2006, 3:44 PM

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Septic system

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Assuming I was able to purchase a small lot somewhere around the lake, can someone give me an estimate on the approximate cost of having a sewage/septic tank & drainfield installed. For sake of argument, lets say large enough for 2 - 3 people or minimum size that may be required.
Getting older and still not down here.

patricio_lintz

Mar 1, 2006, 8:40 AM

Post #2 of 12 (3255 views)

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Re: [Ron Pickering W3FJW] Septic system

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I can tell you exactly as soon as I log into the forum next time. First, I have to return home to check old receipts. In our part of Mexico, the minimum system is a 1080 liter plastic tank, sold in almost all hardware stores. I recall that 2 of them were a little over $7000 pesos. One tank is advertised as being sufficient for a four person household. This is Mexico, remember and people using that small of a tank, do not flush any kind of paper.

In deference to this practice, I installed asian style bidets in each bathroom. I first saw these in Thailand where they do not flush paper either. It is just a kitchen hose sprayer mounted on the wall near the toilet.

Of course there is the plumber and all of the tubos and fittings that he will need. Also laborers to dig the holes for the tank and seepage pit. An albanil and helper will be needed to finish the seepage pit. A open bottom jug made of a brick lattice with a top completes the pit. It is then fully buried. It should be large enough that you never need consider cleaning or repairing.

Esteban

Mar 1, 2006, 12:09 PM

Post #3 of 12 (3242 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Septic system

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I'm not at all familiar with Mexican rural systems. I am familiar with systems up north and have installed many.

So, you are using the two tanks as digesters then...the effluent will go into the seepage Pit correct?

How many cubic feet is the pit and is it filled with sand?

I'm sort of picturing a pit...no bottom...lattice work brick on the sides??? correct?

What kind of top ?

Thanks

Cynthia7

Mar 1, 2006, 9:03 PM

Post #4 of 12 (3222 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Septic system

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I installed bidets like I saw in Turkey..a small tube on the back of the toilet under the seat that sprays clean water and cleanses you. I found them NOB at a website www.juscuzz.com They are called Tushy Clean and work well. I have saved a fortune in toilet paper and plumbing bills. I have them in my house in Mexico and in U.S.

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Mar 1, 2006, 10:20 PM

Post #5 of 12 (3216 views)

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Re: [Cynthia7] Septic system

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Those thingys are sorta cute. Went through the info but they don't seem to practical to install in a 32' motor home 'cause the plumbing isn't all that convenient to get to. My thought for the septic tank was for a place to dump the black & grey waste water which amounts to about 90 to 100 gal per month without having to drive 100 miles to the nearest dump station. I use a macerator as well which means TP would be no problem.
But thanks much for the link.
Have a good week.

Ron
Getting older and still not down here.

johnv

Mar 2, 2006, 6:27 AM

Post #6 of 12 (3207 views)

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Re: [Ron Pickering W3FJW] Septic system

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If the total of your sewage is only 90 to 100 gallons per month you don't need much of a septic system. You could get by with a 55 gallon drum with one end removed, placed open end down, in a pit, with gravel in the bottom, and holes made with a pick into the sides of the drum, and then buried. I stayed at a campground in New York's Catskills with my RV where they were using such a system, grandfathered in from the 60s. If it worked for RVs, and they got away with it in New York State, then it will definitely work, and you can get away with it, in Mexico. Cost: US$PracticallyNothing.

Papirex

Mar 2, 2006, 8:29 AM

Post #7 of 12 (3196 views)

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Re: [johnv] Septic system

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Back in the early 1970s, I made and installed the same type of system that Johnv described from a 55-gallon oil barrel. I didn’t make any holes in the sides of the barrel though, just one 4” hole through the top for the sewer pipe, no real connection, I just poked the plastic pipe through the hole a couple of inches. We buried it in an area that was mostly gravel. It worked great. I suppose that barrel is still there under the lake that was formed.

I was working on a remote construction project in Indian Valley, Lake County, California. We were building a flood control dam. It was a “camp job" everyone working on it was camping in tents, pickup campers, trailers, etc.

There was a good spring with pure water on a nearby hill; we ran plastic water pipe down to the campsite where my crew and I were staying. I connected my 20’ self-contained travel trailer to the water and sewage “system”.

No satellite systems in those days, so our evening entertainment usually consisted of radios, vodka, and bull shit.

Rex

"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

patricio_lintz

Mar 2, 2006, 8:54 AM

Post #8 of 12 (3191 views)

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Re: [Esteban] Septic system

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I do not know the capacity of the seepage pit. The architect designed it. It is an open pit at the bottom with the brick lattice shaped as a jug. The top is solid to keep the dirt out. It is said to be effective only on the sides as the bottom quickly becomes clogged. The digester tanks are in parallel.

I found my old receipt. The tanks are FOSAMAX. List price is $5,732.79 pesos each. I paid $3,705 pesos each. Each is advertised as capable of handling a family of five. Obviously not to USA standards where a mimimum system is 5,000 gallons.

Esteban

Mar 2, 2006, 10:12 AM

Post #9 of 12 (3183 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Septic system

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Thanks for the info. What is the approx diameter and depth of the seepage pit?

Esteban

patricio_lintz

Mar 3, 2006, 10:30 AM

Post #10 of 12 (3153 views)

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Re: [Esteban] Septic system

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I would say twice a deer and twice as widew as the single primary tak. THAT WOULD MAKE IT MAYBE 4500 LITERS. Oops that Bloq. Matus ket keeps getting in the way.

sfmacaws

Mar 3, 2006, 12:07 PM

Post #11 of 12 (3145 views)

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Re: [Esteban] Septic system

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You might be interested in some of the concepts of CEA for waste management. There are quite a few Wetlands functioning in Akumal and they seem to work pretty well. Here's a link to CEA and some info.

http://ceakumal.org/catalog_12233.html

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

patricio_lintz

Mar 4, 2006, 9:40 AM

Post #12 of 12 (3114 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Septic system

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Boy, I hit a lot of wrong keys! Twice as wide and twice as deep would give a capacity of 8 times the primary tank or 8 X 1080 = 8640 liters.