Washingtonians

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

There is a huge perc system attached to our tank, and a pump that, when poo reaches a certain level, is pumped up into a set of pipes with baffle-like structures in them, and this structure of perc system pipes is about 30 feet by 50 feet big, a total of something like 8 pipes.
We are not too far away from water, but this is Pacific County's adopted new septic systems.
There is even an alarm, so if the poo level gets too high and the pump fails, then the alarm sounds which means you have to get a new pump put in.
The entire system requires you consult with several state and county approved engineering firms that come out, and a seperate equipment operator that digs the perc test, after that, the engineering firm you choose that has been county approved and state trained, will design a septic system for you, according to the house plans you submit, say in this case a 4 bedroom 2 bath home.
Well, the plans fell thru, and the home was never built, but the septic system did get built and tested, and approved to operate (this has to be tested every 2 years by the county public health division to make sure it is working properly) and so, from start to finish, this sytem is supposed to cost about $35K
I will look it up and post the link for you to see...
and yes, in Okanogan you are a little more laid back on such issues.
Some septic systems are way more than this !

Chickielady...thanks for the information..I am constantly learning. What an elaborate system. Are you going to ever get to build? I hope so after putting that much into a septic. I am sorry you have not been able to build. Okanogan is much more laid back, but anytime it is near water, the systems are always more ellaborate. I have seen some pricey ones and some pricey wells too. Again, thanks for the info, very interesting.

 

[Chickielady]

http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehoss/pdf/pressure.pdf

Note to : 4 cats, 3 kids....
This is the new state of the art poop shoot.
I laughed when we got here that we could just build an outhouse over the top of the septic pipe inlet, and bolt a real toilet onto it, imagine that ! funny !

Whay we have are chemical toilets like you have in an RV, so they get dumped into the septic tank when full...so it is nice to have the basic road in, and building site ready albeit very narrow, we have designed a home to build, and when our other property sells, we will build.
Our little barn here was here and relatively new when we bought this place, and also had several 300 gallon tanks set up for rain water collection, perfect for us !
The little barn is 10x16 feet, and we added on an 8x8' area we use as the kitchen, sink drains to bucket, bucket to garden.
I love this !

It is small, and you really must loose your junk.
The bed, then computer desk, then a 3x3 shower stall takes up 1 wall, and on the other wall is a hide-a-bed couch, and 2 clothes dressers. A hallway about 3 foot wide runs down the center.
The 8x8 kitchen has a fridge, camp stove, counter and sink and under is dishes, pots, pans, bowls, and canned foods.
It is very cute, and very efficient, and I laugh everytime I watch TV and these people are adding onto their 2600 sq ft homes because 'they are so small' and buyers looking at real estate and saying the "14x16 ft master bedroom is so small !"
How can we live with only a 12x5 closet ?????
People need to get real, and get rid of all the crap, and quit being so snoody and user-friendly, and start being way more resourceful, efficient and green !
We love the barn !

However, it does belong to our animals which are housed elsewhere at the moment.
But when we build, we are building another barn, and it will be perfect !
It will be 24X30 feet, and have a big gambrel roof so have tons of space, in a small package, it is the best use of space there is.
So that will be 1440 sq ft in a 24x30 area and also is considered a single story home, so does not require a super dooper foundation, although we will build it extra-over-code as usual.

 

[Chickielady]

http://barnplans.com/ this is where we are getting our barn plans for the house !
Awesome what you can do with a barn !!!!!

I just put the 1 week old cuckoo babies(4) outside in the big brooder with the 2 week old Blue splash maran babies (11), and instantly a blue splash baby jumped up, ran over and puffed up to the challenge of the newbies !
TA DA !!!! A blue splash maran roo ! Sure enough ! Complete with feathered shanks and toes !!!! Yippee !!!
They have all calmed down, getting along well, little blueroo decided he likes the little cuckoo girls.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Quote:
Super-dooper poop shoot.

You are really roughin' it. Did you come from a big place and go smaller? I really think people are starting to realize just how wasteful all that space is (although some do not). The most favorite piece of property I showed (not my listing) was 40 acres with a 230 sq/ft cabin, couple of extra sheds for storage, an outhouse (no septic), and a shower "shed". They did have a well, they ran things off of solar and generator and the shower house was heated by wood heat. This husband and wife had lived in this home for some 20+ years. They were the funnest couple ever. I loved talking to them, unfortunately my clients did not buy it...but I will always remember them. The cabin had been built to the style of Alaskan outback. Little too small for me, but I loved it (and them). My home is 1700 sq ft, but there are 5 of us and I have no plans on moving other than to maybe an RV when kids are all gone....but where would I put my chicks then? well, I guess I stay here then.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Quote:
Sweet plans.

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
I used to live out that way in Tonasket, and yes out there a well can cost you a freaking fortune.
Here, we can dig a 5 foot hole and hit water as we are on a slight hill our home and septic are higher, and down in front of this parcel is swampy, and across the street is floodland for the Willapa River.
During a high + tide, the river rises clear up to the road.
It is a sea of tall grasses, that wave in wind just like green hair.
Beautiful here !
But our septic system was in and the meter base in, underground power

in and the barn and rain water tanks here when we bought the place last fall for $50K !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a steal !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Chickielady: Where exactly is Raymond? It sounds absolutely beautiful. Where in Tonasket did you live? The property I am talking about was up at the end of Aeaneas Valley, I believe off of Warwick. I just loved this place, would have bought if I could have afforded to. Sounds like you really got a steal, especially with the fancy septic already in....Good job.

 

[jbear]

Quote:
I used to live out that way in Tonasket, and yes out there a well can cost you a freaking fortune.
Here, we can dig a 5 foot hole and hit water as we are on a slight hill our home and septic are higher, and down in front of this parcel is swampy, and across the street is floodland for the Willapa River.
During a high + tide, the river rises clear up to the road.
It is a sea of tall grasses, that wave in wind just like green hair.
Beautiful here !
But our septic system was in and the meter base in, underground power

in and the barn and rain water tanks here when we bought the place last fall for $50K !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a steal !!!!!!!!!!!!

CHICKIELADY! were did you live in Tonasket??? Remember I said my family moved to EW in the 70's... it was to property up Havillah Road... about 10 miles outa town.. a different way to grow up, but I wouldn't change it for the world! lol! We lived across the street from Spring Creek--if that rings any bells.....

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
You are SO right! My DH and DD and I were in the car with our 2 dogs. The Weiner dog (We call her Clover the Destroyer) was digging up the floor, whining and running all over the car! DH laughed and told her to knock it off, there aren't any rats in the car!! I went into the bank, family waited in the car. On my way out of the bank I saw my husband running around the outside of our Durango, chasing away a mouse! Apparently it was in the engine or somewhere, and Clover KNEW it. Dang dog smells through metal. And WILL NOT STOP once she locks on to a potential target.

OMG this story absolutely cracks me up and I have told several people already and they laughed hard too !
Yup, weaners are ratter-mousers alright.
My brother has a Scotty that in itself makes you smile when you see her, but watch the Scot Terrier go after a mouse,rat or possum !
Holy Cow the little crazy dog is viscious !
And hysterically funny growling that sounds like a big dog's voice speeded up like the chicpmunks, hard to take this Scotty seriously, until she comes back dragging a racoon or big rat !
She is fast, low to the ground, and has the wirey coat, shoots through blackberry bushes and can leap tall buildings in a single bound !
All in a days's work for Ms B...

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
Super-dooper poop shoot.

You are really roughin' it. Did you come from a big place and go smaller? I really think people are starting to realize just how wasteful all that space is (although some do not). The most favorite piece of property I showed (not my listing) was 40 acres with a 230 sq/ft cabin, couple of extra sheds for storage, an outhouse (no septic), and a shower "shed". They did have a well, they ran things off of solar and generator and the shower house was heated by wood heat. This husband and wife had lived in this home for some 20+ years. They were the funnest couple ever. I loved talking to them, unfortunately my clients did not buy it...but I will always remember them. The cabin had been built to the style of Alaskan outback. Little too small for me, but I loved it (and them). My home is 1700 sq ft, but there are 5 of us and I have no plans on moving other than to maybe an RV when kids are all gone....but where would I put my chicks then? well, I guess I stay here then.

Silly girl, that is what the barn is for !
This is one of those storage barns you see for sale on the side of the road, only it is jumbo sized, brought in on a truck !
Perfect for chickens, goats, whatever.
I would not put any pooy critters in here like a cow or horse.