• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Carla Burke
  • Nancy Reading
  • r ranson
  • Jay Angler
  • John F Dean
  • Pearl Sutton
stewards:
  • Nicole Alderman
  • paul wheaton
  • Anne Miller
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
  • Timothy Norton
gardeners:
  • thomas rubino
  • Jeremy VanGelder
  • Matt McSpadden

watson wick septic

 
Posts: 6
  • Likes 2
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Does anyone have experience with the watson wick septic system in humid areas? Can it be done / how did you make it work?
 
steward
Posts: 16323
Location: USDA Zone 8a
4305
dog hunting food preservation cooking bee greening the desert
  • Likes 3
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I have never heard of that system so I ask google.

Here is a thread on the forum:

https://permies.com/t/32893/Watson-Wick

And an article from the guy who developed this system:

https://oasisdesign.net/compostingtoilets/watsonwick.htm


I hope others will chime in that have had some experience.
 
Posts: 2
  • Likes 2
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I bought a house in central Texas where they said there was a Watson’s wicking septic.
It consists of low stone walls about a foot above surrounding grade. They enclose an area about 10’ by 15’. I don’t see a drain to daylight, but  I suppose one low point in walls could provide this. The plants are non-descript (weeds?).
It has never clogged up, never been pumped, never smelled or gotten wet. I’ve never inspected or done anything to it. I is honestly don’t know what it is below the ground. It has usually had about one or two regular users. All household waste water flows to it. It seems too good to be true.
 
pollinator
Posts: 3827
Location: Massachusetts, Zone:6/7 AHS:4 GDD:3000 Rainfall:48in even Soil:SandyLoam pH6 Flat
557
2
forest garden solar
  • Likes 1
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
The developer says that it is mostly for the "arid" SouthWest, where surface water usually evaporate vs leaching down to the water table and polluting it.

The schematics seems to indicate that you might need multiple of these units if you have less than optimal enviromental conditions. For me it seems like it might operate like a huge worm bin, who will 100% keep the system running nicely, and if you don't have too many neighbors 5acres+ then I don't see it causing any outbreaks.  
 
If you open the box, you will find Heisenberg strangling Shrodenger's cat. And waving this tiny ad:
Free Seed Starting ebook!
https://permies.com/t/274152/Orta-Guide-Seed-Starting-Free
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic