Quote:
Originally Posted by hemlockpoint
"...In reality a modern septic system is much more environmentally unsound than a properly constructed privy..."
|
I agree. I have river-front friends in a Maine neighborhood who just move their outhouses on occasion.
One of our Lakes Region's biggest lakes has outhouses everywhere on the islands, but remains a "Class A" lake—as opposed to Lake Winnipesaukee, which lost it's "Class A" rating in the 70's.
(
I think, due to dishwashers, a rarity on many islands. Dishwasher detergents got a "pass" over
clothes washing detergent for excess phosphates.)
When you add phosphorus-laden dishwasher detergent to the leaching field, it's down into the lake waters eventually to feed algae and milfoil. Last I read up on this subject, a recommendation was made to build the leaching fields with calcium carbonate-based rock and not the igneous rock used in New Hampshire—and, likely, in Massachusetts.
(Calcium carbonate chemically binds-up the phosphates.)
Even where calcium carbonate leaching fields are common (like Florida), I receive a notice every year at my Florida
lakefront property to voluntarily pump-out every three years). My Florida
oceanfront property faces some really strict measures—so strict, I probably shouldn't have bought there until resolved by the local government. (Vertical, $20,000, above-ground aerobic septics, requiring monthly inspections and continuous pumped-in air
)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pricestavern
"...We purchased our place on Rattlesnake last year and the outhouse in the back is, er.....full, if ya know what I mean. Can I get the "filling" removed, or must I dig another...? |
Rattlesnake Island's not Parker Island. ('Hope that's sufficient encouragement
).
Even if the sellers didn't disclose the problem, digging's still a better solution than bringing a lawsuit against the sellers, IMHO.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bear Islander
"...You can't dig another without breaking the law..."
|
Digging another hole is illegal, but this lot slated for development on Rattlesnake Island is
legal?