I have an RV that I would like to make a homemade septic tank for use when we have visitors staying in it. We live in a rural area so this should not be an issue for permitting. Someone mention the use of a 55 gallon drum. How do I do this?

I am sorry but every area that I know of has rules and regs on septic systems.

For example here, anywhere in our state, you have to apply for a permit for a septic system, have a county inspector lay it out and determine how many feet of drain line you will need, he will also inspect it after installed.

Since this is the discharge of wastes and can havve effect on ground water it is very regulated

Click on How to Construct a Small Septic System - wikiHow to receive detailed instructions on how to build a small septic system that will service your RV. Good luck, Tom

This is a very late response to this question, but what the state doesn't know ain't going to hurt. Since you're in a rural area, the only way they will even care is if a neighbor tips them off or you run and tell them yourself. Once the thing is buried, who will know? I know of a 55 gal drum system that was installed 7 years ago for a little hobby shop. It works great, never have any problems, and nobody knows it's there. Just make sure the tank and drain field is at least 100 feet away and downhill from any water well. Then if somebody wants to know how many gallons of tank, feet of pipe, bla bla, just tell them you don't know and they will have to dig it up to find out.

To answer your question,
Yes a plastic 55 gl. Will work fine. Dig a pit big enough to fit the barrel with about
6" of space under it and around it for small gravel rock. On top of barrel lid you need a 3" to 4" hole for waste inlet drain coming from the rv. On the side of the barrel 8" to 10" from the top down make a hole for a 1"1/2 to 2" pipe to let out water. You may want to add screen at this outlet to prevent solidsgoing through. This pipe will keep the barrel from filling to the top. You can run you'r 2" drain pipe out and away from the rv to a field under ground. Remember to put a downward slope and gravel rock completely around the drain pipe to avoid clogging. This gives you the basics of a simple home made septic that works great for years.

Hi hometech and Welcome to The Plumbing Page. At AskMeHelpDesk.com. You're responding to a 5 year old dead thread . Look in then upper left hand corner of the first post form the date in the first post before you post, Thanks, Good answer but a little late for the OP. Regards, Toim

It's never too late to post great answers like this for those people who need the same information later like myself :).

http://www.wikihow.com/Construct-a-Small-Septic-System

Check out post #3 Good luck, Tom