Have I got a dilemma for you! Need advice on well, you'll see... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #1 09-10-2010, 06:59 PM

I bought a piece of land with a 2100 sq ft (70x30x 10 ft walls) garage on it. Retirement house will come later-- maybe.

In the meantime, I plan obvious improvements:

1. 20 x 30 repair center at one end of building, with internal cinder block wall and 9 x 15 sliding steel internal door to ensure security. Also smaller area to heat and air condition, will also contain a lift and a rotisserie of sorts.

2. Remainder will store cars on one side and contain shelves along the other wall, more than enough space for everything.

The building already has multiple 110 and 220 VAC outlets and a new fuse box, 250 amp I believe.

The history in brief:

60 years ago a failed farm was split into parcels
55 years ago a house and septic was built on it
50 years ago the house burned down and property abandoned
40 years ago, new owners tried to link it to a smaller version of the failed farm, removing the house, debris, foundation and septic-- all to make it farmland again
38 years ago, they went bankrupt doing it
35 years ago, the land changed hands
15 years ago, the present building was built and electrified, with outside fuel oil heating system included and a hole for a possible well (?). Secretly, the owner used it to store vehicles for his body shop, while lying to the city, saying that he would rebuild a house "some day."
Last year the owner died, then his wife. Judge took over control and sold to me after I put in an official bonded bid.
Four months ago, I got the building. And a warning from the city : DO NOT CONDUCT BUSINESS IN A RESIDENTIALLY ZONED NEIGHBORHOOD OR ELSE!! You see, they missed business taxes on the former owner all those years!

So what's my problem?
The place has no running water or toilet.

I think I can get water from the next door neighbor for washing, antifreeze etc, and bring a 5 gal jug for drinking water and coffee.

BUT: The toilet? The city will not let me install a septic until I break ground for a house following approval of blueprints.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

1. Find a low-height RV that will fit under the nine-foot door and use its toilet, draining it periodically as needed.

2. Strip a toilet system from a dead RV and set up the water supply with help from the neighbor and create a roll-out toilet tank that can be taken for draining/cleaning.

I have never owned an RV so, if you have an idea, I am truly all ears.

I am working eight extra weekends specifically because no one else wants to, and I could use the money for this.

So. What do you folks think?

What's my best balanced choice between cost, sanitation and convenience?

Billybob · #2 09-10-2010, 07:10 PM

Do a search for "incinerator toilets" if human waste is the only issue.

The SR models can be run off Propane, Diesel or Natural Gas (see technical

http://www.ecojohn.com/sr_operation.html

Other things like gray water disposal could be handled through some alternative water treatment scheme.

In the 70's the USMC SOP for field latrines was a 55 gal drum cut in half height wise, with about 5-10 gals of diesel in it. This was the waste receptacle placed under the "bench seating", every day or two the barrel would be pulled out and set on fire, "burning the ****ter/s" was a distinct pleasure reserved for those who needed a little motivation to get "squared away"!

Fulcrum525 · #3 09-10-2010, 07:12 PM

For water I would connect a pipe to the gutters and just store rainwater in a barrel or two (We do this for watering the garden and there is always water in the tank)

As for the toilet situation....

Pulling an RV system is one option but where would you dispose of the waste once it's full? (Also how far of a drive is it and can you ensure that said waste system is spill proof during transportation)

pj67coll · #4 09-10-2010, 07:15 PM

Option 1 sounds the simplest to me but then I"ve never owned an RV either.

- Peter.

Skid Row Joe · #5 09-10-2010, 07:30 PM

Get the building plumbed, is your best option.

How much do you have to spend on an RV?

t walgamuth · #6 09-10-2010, 07:44 PM

1. Very inexpensive is a 5 gal bucket from drywall mud. use the lid to contain smell and make a lid that has a hole in it for doing the solid waste thing. put the lid on it and take it home and dump down your toilet. ( learned this from drywallers)

2. they make small toilets to sit in the back of a truck camper. some have wheels and a handle. this sounds nicer but where to dump it?

the bucket (#1) will seal tight and be easy to carry each trip. a little blue camper toilet stuff and you could dump every third trip maybe.

all other solutions are very expensive and in the end not much more convenient.

TylerH860 · #7 09-10-2010, 07:46 PM

hmm...

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/rvs/1930032840.html

strelnik · #8 09-10-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

1. Very inexpensive is a 5 gal bucket from drywall mud. use the lid to contain smell and make a lid that has a hole in it for doing the solid waste thing. put the lid on it and take it home and dump down your toilet. ( learned this from drywallers)

2. they make small toilets to sit in the back of a truck camper. some have wheels and a handle. this sounds nicer but where to dump it?

the bucket (#1) will seal tight and be easy to carry each trip. a little blue camper toilet stuff and you could dump every third trip maybe.

all other solutions are very expensive and in the end not much more convenient.

Solution #1 is not acceptable to women visitors

Solution #2 is possible, am looking into variations

strelnik · #9 09-10-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

hmm...

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/rvs/1930032840.html

It has no toilet

strelnik · #10 09-10-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Get the building plumbed, is your best option.

How much do you have to spend on an RV?

The city will not allow me to get it plumbed, will not accept a permit and will fine me and make me tear out plumbing. It's all about guaranteeing the revenue.

However..portable is portable. They can't object to anything that's portable. Or removable

strelnik · #11 09-10-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

For water I would connect a pipe to the gutters and just store rainwater in a barrel or two (We do this for watering the garden and there is always water in the tank)

As for the toilet situation....

Pulling an RV system is one option but where would you dispose of the waste once it's full? (Also how far of a drive is it and can you ensure that said waste system is spill proof during transportation)

I found out from a friend that RV toilets, if properly treated, can hold up to 200 flushes max. The eco-mix of antifreeze and waste catalyst makes everything sanitized to the point where it can be poured down a municipal drain because it is biodegradable, and previously sterilized by products which may stink but are harmless and allowed to be dumped nationally.

Now if I could find a half-dead RV, this might be cheap enough to do.

Aquaticedge · #12 09-10-2010, 08:50 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/PAINTED-PORTA-POTTY-PORTABLE-OUTDOOR-TOLIET-BATHROOM-/390219574383?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adae62c6f have a septic service suck it out when need be. it's not plumbed and it shoulndt cost too much to have it drained

Hatterasguy · #13 09-10-2010, 09:53 PM

Sounds like you walked into the middle of a war between the city and PO. Talk to the sanitation engineer and whoever else has say in the city. Your best bet is working with them. If you approach it properly you have a good chance of getting what you need, just need to show them you are trying to work with them.

Worst case "break ground" for a house. Get the plans you want approved and start digging, maybe pour a foundation if you want to go nuts. Their you have broker ground. It won't cost you much and you can do a septic and well.

In my city as long as you start, IE dig a hole your good.

Fulcrum525 · #14 09-10-2010, 11:24 PM

Option #3 aka the natural route.

How private is the area behind the building?

jplinville · #15 09-10-2010, 11:53 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fyS5CLBgyM