I'm planning to build a three-stage DIY septic system using plastic drums or cubes for the toilet in my upcoming hermitage cabin in the woods. I'm curious about how illegal this could be if the system gets discovered. My plan is to set up a recirculating sand filter system with redundancy to ensure that what goes out into the dispersal field via a French drain setup is as environmentally clean as possible. I know it won't meet all codes, but I want to avoid being reckless with the land. Would I face just a fine and an order to remove it, or could there be contamination issues that lead to more serious penalties and costs? I could always opt for an outhouse, but it would be great to have everything consolidated into one building without causing trouble for anyone else.
1 Answer
You definitely need to check out the local regulations for where your cabin is. Some places are more relaxed about DIY systems, while others can be pretty strict. Do some research at your local municipality to get the most accurate info.
I've seen lots of DIY videos, but they usually don't specify locations. I'll make sure to ask about this when I visit the municipality to sort out other details.