Wastewater Pond thoughts anyone?

Hi,

I'm hoping to find a solution that will pass the septic-centric building code standards.

I've heard of wastewater, wetlands used for small commercial projects. I understand this project would need to be engineered, as does septic.

I'm thinking the system might start with a composting and or incinerator toilet system and then move to the pond. Likely a duel anaerobic.aerobic design.

How large might a pond like this need to be to support 2-4 people year-round in a cold climate?

Any thoughts, ideas, or experience?

Thanks in advance!

Watching this thread with great interest.

So it sounds like you want to dump the laundry + shower + basin + kitchen sink water into a pond, about 80gallons per day per person. And how to neutralize the waste
Lets list the things that need to be neutralized:
-Grease
-Food Particles
-Clothes Particles
-Particles in Mop bucket
-Hair
-Pathogenic Bacteria  
-Nitrates
-Phosphates
-Bleach
-Chemicals

1) I would start out with a filter to trap the big particles like food, hair, clothes, etc
2) Next I would are a matrix to host good microbes, maybe add some kefir good microbes or worm tea once a day.
3) Next I would add some mushrooms/plants to use up all of the excess nitrates, phosphates, oils/grease, etc
4) I would add a buffer than can react with/absorb/inactivate the chemicals
5) I would increase the oxygen levels in the system/water.

I would create an indoor system to pre-treat the water as much as possible (think earthship with there indoor 12ft-50ft hydroponic planter box)
Then once the "clean" water finally makes it to the cold and dormant outside it is already "clean"

Now there are some things that you can do to help reduce the load on the system:
-Less chemicals by making your own soaps with only 3 ingredients (8part oil, 3part water, 1part lye)
-Less chemicals by using vinegar as much as possible
-Less particulates by scraping out your dirty plates and pots really good before you start washing it
-Less particulates by emptying your pants pocket
-Less grease by not pouring your grease/oil/fats into the sink

So my indoor setup would be
1) Flood and drain filter
2) Mulch+Mushroom Flood and drain filter
3) Aerobic Aquarium tank with bubbler
4) Algae Aquarium Tank
5) Post Filter
Note (I think some red wriggles should be somewhere in this system)

there is a display functional wastewater pond or at least there used to be at university of Florida Gainesville might be a good place to get a proven plan

These guys offer an approved package (HOOT ANR), that you can just use out of the box, or at least use for inspiration.



https://hootsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/ANR-450-6.21.16.pdf

S Bengi wrote:
I would create an indoor system to pre-treat the water as much as possible (think earthship with there indoor 12ft-50ft hydroponic planter box)
Then once the "clean" water finally makes it to the cold and dormant outside it is already "clean"

Thanks for the thorough list, and Oh yeah - Earthship greywater systems, a perfect place to start researching...