Outside toilet location
#1
Outside toilet location
Without going into too many details as to why, I need to build an outside toilet and shower at the bottom of my garden.
Are there any rules/regs as to where I can or can't build these?
Obviously, the easiest is just to dig a deep hole for the toilet and I was thinking of a shallow pit for the shower, filled with gravel and covered with wooden boards to act as a soak away. These would not be in daily use, just occasional.
However, they would be located about 5 metres from a very small stream. That's where my issue lies.
Are there any rules/regs as to where I can or can't build these?
Obviously, the easiest is just to dig a deep hole for the toilet and I was thinking of a shallow pit for the shower, filled with gravel and covered with wooden boards to act as a soak away. These would not be in daily use, just occasional.
However, they would be located about 5 metres from a very small stream. That's where my issue lies.
#2
Re: Outside toilet location
EDIT:
Outside toilet location and septic tank.
Having spoken to someone today, he highly recommended not just creating an old-school kerti wc but installing a septic tank.
Does anyone have any suggestions on rules and regs re these?
Rather than go down the route of modern, baffled tanks that separate the solids from the effluent, I was thinking along the line of a single tank sunk into the ground and emptied once in a while. The person I spoke to wasn't sure whether this method is allowed as a new installation though. The reason I would prefer this method is that I already have such a tank sat around doing nothing.
Outside toilet location and septic tank.
Having spoken to someone today, he highly recommended not just creating an old-school kerti wc but installing a septic tank.
Does anyone have any suggestions on rules and regs re these?
Rather than go down the route of modern, baffled tanks that separate the solids from the effluent, I was thinking along the line of a single tank sunk into the ground and emptied once in a while. The person I spoke to wasn't sure whether this method is allowed as a new installation though. The reason I would prefer this method is that I already have such a tank sat around doing nothing.
#3
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 18
Re: Outside toilet location
Without going into too many details as to why, I need to build an outside toilet and shower at the bottom of my garden.
Are there any rules/regs as to where I can or can't build these?
Obviously, the easiest is just to dig a deep hole for the toilet and I was thinking of a shallow pit for the shower, filled with gravel and covered with wooden boards to act as a soak away. These would not be in daily use, just occasional.
However, they would be located about 5 metres from a very small stream. That's where my issue lies.
Are there any rules/regs as to where I can or can't build these?
Obviously, the easiest is just to dig a deep hole for the toilet and I was thinking of a shallow pit for the shower, filled with gravel and covered with wooden boards to act as a soak away. These would not be in daily use, just occasional.
However, they would be located about 5 metres from a very small stream. That's where my issue lies.
Do you have a compost heap in the garden? If so then you could try this system:
https://www.lowimpact.org/the-simple...ompost-toilet/
Ideal for occasional use and simple/cheap to setup - also avoids any ground water/nearby stream contamination problems.
#4
Re: Outside toilet location
That was really interesting, thank you.
Unfortunately, most of the contents of the loo won't be mine and I really don't fancy dealing with other peoples' waste.
Unfortunately, most of the contents of the loo won't be mine and I really don't fancy dealing with other peoples' waste.
#5
Re: Outside toilet location
EDIT:
Outside toilet location and septic tank.
Having spoken to someone today, he highly recommended not just creating an old-school kerti wc but installing a septic tank.
Does anyone have any suggestions on rules and regs re these?
Rather than go down the route of modern, baffled tanks that separate the solids from the effluent, I was thinking along the line of a single tank sunk into the ground and emptied once in a while. The person I spoke to wasn't sure whether this method is allowed as a new installation though. The reason I would prefer this method is that I already have such a tank sat around doing nothing.
Outside toilet location and septic tank.
Having spoken to someone today, he highly recommended not just creating an old-school kerti wc but installing a septic tank.
Does anyone have any suggestions on rules and regs re these?
Rather than go down the route of modern, baffled tanks that separate the solids from the effluent, I was thinking along the line of a single tank sunk into the ground and emptied once in a while. The person I spoke to wasn't sure whether this method is allowed as a new installation though. The reason I would prefer this method is that I already have such a tank sat around doing nothing.
#6
Re: Outside toilet location
I may just start digging and pretend it was there when we bought the house 😄
#7
Re: Outside toilet location
https://wikiwater.fr/a8-dry-self-ventilated-improved
#8
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,094
Re: Outside toilet location
First some terminology
A septic tank is a multi-chambered tank where the sewage flows from chamber to chamber and eventually out to land drains, ditch or stream. Typically they will need desludging after some years.
A cess pit is a single tank used as a holding tank for sewage where the sewage is collected until there is enough to be collected. The collection lorries are usually around 5 m3 and the charge will be for the visit not the quantity taken i.e. you wlll always be charged for a full load.
Septic tanks are more expensive to build by quite a lot.
Is the stream a stream (patak) or ditch or water channel (csatorna). The definition will determine which rules apply and this can be seen on the land office map.
I would get on with the project without involvement from any outside influences.
I would build a traditional garden loo which is dry - non-flushing as talked about above. You need a hole that won't collapse and the way I would build it would be to dig a hole and put a concrete ring of the type that are used for dug wells in the hole with no base. I would then build a light weight structure from timber frame and OSB boards with seat etc. over the top. In use you have a bucket of ash or sawdust and a shovel of either is thrown onto the 'product' after use. When the hole is nearing full you either empty out the compost or given that it will take some years to fill simply move the wooden structure to a new site and make a new one (assuming you don't fancy empting it out). Having built the new one put some earth over the old one and plant a fruit tree.
For the shower I would as you suggest dig a soak away and put boards over it. I have one in the garden and I made the cubicle strong enough to take a black painted barrel on top that serves to give warmish water by the afternoon. The tap controls the water flow into the bottom of the barrel and the shower head is connected to the top and is without a tap.This way there is no pressure in the barrel from either mains or expansion due to heat as the top outlet is always open.
A septic tank is a multi-chambered tank where the sewage flows from chamber to chamber and eventually out to land drains, ditch or stream. Typically they will need desludging after some years.
A cess pit is a single tank used as a holding tank for sewage where the sewage is collected until there is enough to be collected. The collection lorries are usually around 5 m3 and the charge will be for the visit not the quantity taken i.e. you wlll always be charged for a full load.
Septic tanks are more expensive to build by quite a lot.
Is the stream a stream (patak) or ditch or water channel (csatorna). The definition will determine which rules apply and this can be seen on the land office map.
I would get on with the project without involvement from any outside influences.
I would build a traditional garden loo which is dry - non-flushing as talked about above. You need a hole that won't collapse and the way I would build it would be to dig a hole and put a concrete ring of the type that are used for dug wells in the hole with no base. I would then build a light weight structure from timber frame and OSB boards with seat etc. over the top. In use you have a bucket of ash or sawdust and a shovel of either is thrown onto the 'product' after use. When the hole is nearing full you either empty out the compost or given that it will take some years to fill simply move the wooden structure to a new site and make a new one (assuming you don't fancy empting it out). Having built the new one put some earth over the old one and plant a fruit tree.
For the shower I would as you suggest dig a soak away and put boards over it. I have one in the garden and I made the cubicle strong enough to take a black painted barrel on top that serves to give warmish water by the afternoon. The tap controls the water flow into the bottom of the barrel and the shower head is connected to the top and is without a tap.This way there is no pressure in the barrel from either mains or expansion due to heat as the top outlet is always open.
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2015
Location: Near the Black Forest and near Esztergom
Posts: 923
Re: Outside toilet location
I agree with Peter and just had to add this joke for the description.
In German:
Gravitationsgesteuerte Entsorgungsimplementierung mit akustischer Rückmeldung
loosely translated:
Gravity controlled disposal installation with acoustic feedback
All the older houses still have this - just in case. My wife sometimes uses it when working in the garden - but only for "small business", we men of course can get in a corner ...
In German:
Gravitationsgesteuerte Entsorgungsimplementierung mit akustischer Rückmeldung
loosely translated:
Gravity controlled disposal installation with acoustic feedback
All the older houses still have this - just in case. My wife sometimes uses it when working in the garden - but only for "small business", we men of course can get in a corner ...
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Zala County
Posts: 289
Re: Outside toilet location
I agree with Peter and just had to add this joke for the description.
In German:
Gravitationsgesteuerte Entsorgungsimplementierung mit akustischer Rückmeldung
loosely translated:
Gravity controlled disposal installation with acoustic feedback
All the older houses still have this - just in case. My wife sometimes uses it when working in the garden - but only for "small business", we men of course can get in a corner ...
In German:
Gravitationsgesteuerte Entsorgungsimplementierung mit akustischer Rückmeldung
loosely translated:
Gravity controlled disposal installation with acoustic feedback
All the older houses still have this - just in case. My wife sometimes uses it when working in the garden - but only for "small business", we men of course can get in a corner ...
#12
Re: Outside toilet location
https://www.plumbworld.co.uk/blog/wh...they-come-from
What are Some Alternative Words for Toilet and Where do They Come From?
#13
Re: Outside toilet location
Thank you all for your replies and suggestions.
I'm now on plan C, which involves utilising an existing, brick built outside toilet attached to the end of our outbuildings. Just a hole in the ground with no plumbing. This will save me time and money, although the location isn't ideal. I will build an outside shower attached to the side of it, draining into the loo.
I'm now on plan C, which involves utilising an existing, brick built outside toilet attached to the end of our outbuildings. Just a hole in the ground with no plumbing. This will save me time and money, although the location isn't ideal. I will build an outside shower attached to the side of it, draining into the loo.
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,094
Re: Outside toilet location
Thank you all for your replies and suggestions.
I'm now on plan C, which involves utilising an existing, brick built outside toilet attached to the end of our outbuildings. Just a hole in the ground with no plumbing. This will save me time and money, although the location isn't ideal. I will build an outside shower attached to the side of it, draining into the loo.
I'm now on plan C, which involves utilising an existing, brick built outside toilet attached to the end of our outbuildings. Just a hole in the ground with no plumbing. This will save me time and money, although the location isn't ideal. I will build an outside shower attached to the side of it, draining into the loo.
#15
Re: Outside toilet location
If the loo is without plumbing i.e. no soil pipe taking away the sewage then do not put the shower outflow in to this. They are supposed to work dry with sawdust or ash after 'an event'. If you lead water into it you will have a small unpleasant cess pit. Put the shower with its own soak away where it cant drain into the loo.