Outdoor shower

winterh · 08-22-2017, 10:40 AM

Thank you. I am going to post that sign in all my bathrooms and showers

ishoot308 · 08-22-2017, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winterh

Thank you. I am going to post that sign in all my bathrooms and showers

PM me your email and I will send to you the original word document so you can edit the signature (or anything else you wish). I was unable to post the word doc here....

Dan

Descant · 08-22-2017, 12:31 PM

The amount of soil filtration depends on the type of soil. To the extreme, if you drain the shower onto ledge, no filter. The same would essentially apply if the ledge is only a foot down, etc. If you have lots of sand and grvel, that's a huge filter.
I think, officially, even gray water is supposed to go into an approved septic or sewer. While you may be conscientious, if you ever want to sell, or have a building inspection for some other project, the inspector may not be happy. It may be that for the low volume and the type of discharge, the "approved" system could be very simple, as described in earlier posts, i.e. a DIY system.
If you're relocating, can you discharge into your existing septic somehow?

ishoot308 · 08-22-2017, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

The amount of soil filtration depends on the type of soil. To the extreme, if you drain the shower onto ledge, no filter. The same would essentially apply if the ledge is only a foot down, etc. If you have lots of sand and grvel, that's a huge filter.
I think, officially, even gray water is supposed to go into an approved septic or sewer. While you may be conscientious, if you ever want to sell, or have a building inspection for some other project, the inspector may not be happy. It may be that for the low volume and the type of discharge, the "approved" system could be very simple, as described in earlier posts, i.e. a DIY system.
If you're relocating, can you discharge into your existing septic somehow?

How is this worse than an outhouse with a dug hole??... Serious question...

Dan

Descant · 08-22-2017, 02:04 PM

An outhouse my exist as a grandfathered use. If you want to borrow money to build or buy, the bank wants to see indoor plumbing and approved septic.

I'm not a chemist or nutritionist, but I'd guess there is some difference in the "filtration" process for solids that decompose and break down as opposed to whatever non-biodegradable compound your tenants use in the shower. As I recall from the old days, proper maintenance of an outhouse includes periodic addition of limestone powder, and digging a new hole and moving the structure while there is adequate depth to cover the contents safely. Note that a toilet uses a lot of water and thus flows through the soil more quickly carrying "nutrients" to the down gradient lake. Not much liquid goes into an outhouse. Not even rainwater. I think 2-3 holers exist to distribute the fill under the outhouse, not so that three people can sit together and discuss the latest Sear catalog.
More than you wanted to know, huh?

The original question also had to do with the shower being 40 feet from shore. Presumably a back house or out house would be behind the main building and thus much further back from shore. A "certificate of occupancy" would require indoor plumbing. In Gilford, I think you can still live in a tent and have an outhouse, but only for one year while the approved residence is under construction. No camper trailers either. The town fathers want you to build something taxable.

08-22-2017, 10:40 AM	#1
winterh Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 249 Thanks: 30 Thanked 135 Times in 62 Posts	Thank you. I am going to post that sign in all my bathrooms and showers

08-22-2017, 12:31 PM	#3
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,357 Thanks: 1,344 Thanked 1,623 Times in 1,055 Posts	The amount of soil filtration depends on the type of soil. To the extreme, if you drain the shower onto ledge, no filter. The same would essentially apply if the ledge is only a foot down, etc. If you have lots of sand and grvel, that's a huge filter. I think, officially, even gray water is supposed to go into an approved septic or sewer. While you may be conscientious, if you ever want to sell, or have a building inspection for some other project, the inspector may not be happy. It may be that for the low volume and the type of discharge, the "approved" system could be very simple, as described in earlier posts, i.e. a DIY system. If you're relocating, can you discharge into your existing septic somehow?

08-22-2017, 02:04 PM	#5
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,357 Thanks: 1,344 Thanked 1,623 Times in 1,055 Posts	An outhouse my exist as a grandfathered use. If you want to borrow money to build or buy, the bank wants to see indoor plumbing and approved septic. I'm not a chemist or nutritionist, but I'd guess there is some difference in the "filtration" process for solids that decompose and break down as opposed to whatever non-biodegradable compound your tenants use in the shower. As I recall from the old days, proper maintenance of an outhouse includes periodic addition of limestone powder, and digging a new hole and moving the structure while there is adequate depth to cover the contents safely. Note that a toilet uses a lot of water and thus flows through the soil more quickly carrying "nutrients" to the down gradient lake. Not much liquid goes into an outhouse. Not even rainwater. I think 2-3 holers exist to distribute the fill under the outhouse, not so that three people can sit together and discuss the latest Sear catalog. More than you wanted to know, huh? The original question also had to do with the shower being 40 feet from shore. Presumably a back house or out house would be behind the main building and thus much further back from shore. A "certificate of occupancy" would require indoor plumbing. In Gilford, I think you can still live in a tent and have an outhouse, but only for one year while the approved residence is under construction. No camper trailers either. The town fathers want you to build something taxable.