Details on building a legal, permitted worm septic system (possibly the first in the US)

We have pretty much finished our vermifilter septic system!
It won't be in operation for several more months, since we haven't built our house yet. But I did write up the details on our blog, and I am sharing in case others are interested.

Here is a blog post about our permitting process.
https://www.brownkawa.com/post/first-worm-septic-system-permit-in-the-usa

Here is another blog post about our build.
https://www.brownkawa.com/post/building-our-worm-septic-system

We will be taking water quality data quarterly for at least the first year to assess the effluent coming out of the tank. We were required to install a drainfield for the purposes of our permit, but are also eager to see if the effluent is of a quality suitable for irrigation. (And no, our permit would not allow that, but the data would be good to have to push for wider regulatory acceptance of this type of system).

I am attempting to attach some photos but I am not always successful with that... they are a few of the photos from the second blog post above.

I also know I have started similar topics... I never know whether I should add to those threads or start a new thread, but since this is kind of a wrap-up of a completed system I thought it would be of more interest to folks who want to do something similar, and that they might find it more easily as a new thread. But I am open to guidance on that!!

That is really cool, Kimi! I hope it provides years of service for you!

I also know I have started similar topics... I never know whether I should add to those threads or start a new thread, but since this is kind of a wrap-up of a completed system I thought it would be of more interest to folks who want to do something similar, and that they might find it more easily as a new thread. But I am open to guidance on that!!

Generally we like projects to have their own threads. It helps people follow the story as it unfolds. But when there is a major milestone or change it can be appropriate to create a new thread.

Hi, does anyone use a system such as this and have experience  of how it works in cold weather, please?
Thank you in anticipation

John Middleton wrote:Hi, does anyone use a system such as this and have experience  of how it works in cold weather, please?
Thank you in anticipation

Did you checkout vermicompostingtoilets.net? They have some projects highlighted and a forum specifically for this type of system where folks might have discussed.

Our location is USDA zone 6 with freezes any time between October 1 and June 1. We can get down to 20 below at the coldest. We are expecting our system to work well here, but easy for me to say because it's not in service yet so we really don't know...

The original system was installed in Massachusetts and worked great for at least 20 years...

Hope that helps!