The certified onsite wastewater specialist came today and it looks like our septic passed muster! Although we will not use it, it satisfies the requirements of a three bedroom home that would have a traditional waste water system. I still shake my head at the requirement of a traditional septic system for an earthship, but I guess it’s only with many earthships being built (and other alternative buildings) that changes will eventually be made to building codes.

I find stories of septic tanks and septic systems quite fascinating, if a little gross. Gail’s brother-in-law is a septic tank pumper and he regaled us last week with many stories of the improvised tanks people used to install (way back before rules). In one instant he went to pump the tank only to find it was an abandoned, buried vehicle! And another was a box made from old railway ties. He also filled us in on all the items/fluids that exit a house for the waste system that wreck havoc with the tank and field…nuff said about that.

Now Chris is working on the sealed, technical document, hopefully our last piece of the pie before being issued the permit.