Our septic system is failing, so I capped off the toilet and turned it into a grey water system.
It will cost $8,00 to $10,000 for a new septic system, not pocket change for us. We started with a luggable-lue/honey pot for awhile, but it was heavy and not practical.
So I did tons of research, measured the space to see if a double bucket system would work, then removed the toilet and capped it off.
So this is what I made.
I used 2x4s for the frame, and recycled old shelfs for the liftable seat bases, I sealed all exposed wood that was not laminated with calk. I used a smaller 2x4 to hold the bucket in place, it is slightly lower so that the handle can rest so it is easy to grab and not fight and jostle the buckets to reach the handle for removal.
There is also a 2x4 in the middle to support the seat base.
We use Campa-Chem RV Naturals odor control for the pee bucket to control the odor.
I have tried other types of treatments and vinegar. None work as well as Campa-Chem Naturals. We put about 1/8 to 1/4 cup of solution in the bottom of the bucket, we do not add anything else.
We use pine saw dust for the poo bucket. We start a clean bucket with a layer of saw dust in the bottom, then put a layer over each deposit.
We don’t use red wood saw dust because it takes longer to decompose, but it does smell nicer.
I used that clear plastic carpet runner stuff to catch splashes so they go into the bucket. I cut slits at the top to form fit it and stapled it to the seat base, under the potty lids, so it lifts up with the base when changing buckets. Works great too! Without it, it is was problematic and messy. It doesn’t have to be the exact runner, but needs to be thick plastic that it bendable. I got the runner on clearance.
For cleaning of the buckets we use pine-sol and a toilet brush with water. We dump the waste on the very back of our property. We sprinkle compost deodorizer on the pile to be kind to our one neighbor.
The cleaning process is as follows. First we dump, then rinse, then pine-sol with a bit of water and scrub. Dump and rinse with water. In the summer we use bleach tablets and let them soak a few days.
I clean the seat and splash guard every time I change the buckets out. When the poo bucket is full I take out both, because normally the pee bucket is half full. Remember to always take out the pee bucket before it gets to full, it can be very difficult to manage when it is very full.
When cleaning the potty lids and splash guards, I use sanitizing wipes .
I clean them every time or every other time I change out the buckets. This helps because of the stuff that can stick to the splash guard. The longer you let it go without cleaning, the harder it is to remove any mess. Once all the big messes have been removed and wiped away, I spray with a sanitizing spray.
I clean it thoroughly.
As for what to do with your toilet paper. Some put it in the poo bucket, so it can biodegrade. Some put it in the garbage can that is dedicated to burning only and then incinerate it.
We incinerate it, it takes up less space in the bucket that way.
Toilet paper is a biohazard.
We have been using the bucket system for 6 months, maybe a bit more.
It works well for us, it’s not as bad as you would think.
It’s better then an outhouse, been there done that. It sucks at -30°F, plus it was the honey pot/bucket system. Everything froze and filled up quickly, and it smelled. When we had the out house we used a pink foam square as the potty lid in the winter, that was about the only nice thing. It’s like a custom lid, no frozen bum.
Okay back to the composting toilet talk and the future. We plan on getting an incinerating toilet, and installing a new grey water system.
We will be working on the grey water system this summer and the system is showing more strain. 😞
Even though we have been limping it along as a grey water system, it is now back flowing to the surface of the ground. Just glad it’s grey water now.
We will be hand digging the new grey water system.
Bring on the blisters.