Within-Vessel Composting

I am trying composting in stock tanks. The cost is high--about $700 for three 350 gallon stock tanks, three muck buckets and a compost crank. It might be useful in dry climates to reduce evaporation, and to collect leachate and put it back into the compost when it dries out or use the leachate as compost tea. (My rain barrels are empty, I don't have a well, and keeping my compost moist enough to not start a fire is a priority). Some departments of making you sad might approve this compost system for use near wetlands or wells....? In my case, I am trying to put ALL of my domestic "waste" water into my compost so that there literally is no waste--just water vapor, oops! ammonia and nitrous oxide, and compost (which I test to verify that pathogens have been reduced to less than 1000 fecal coliform bacteria most probable number per gram which is the limit in Washington State for compost).    

Pretty cool setup to make sure ground water isn't affected, I'm thinking another option to reduce cost some would be the standard wooden built bins, but place a kiddie pool on the bottom, then pile into that and use the same holes over the bucket setup.

Is there an easy to navigate online resource for Washington state's rules regarding this? I've been looking at property in the state as my retirement window gets closer, and doing humanure composting on raw land without septic seems like a good option for me, but if there are specific rules to follow I hope to plan ahead as to what the hoops to jump through might be.

Mark Tudor wrote:Pretty cool setup to make sure ground water isn't affected, I'm thinking another option to reduce cost some would be the standard wooden built bins, but place a kiddie pool on the bottom, then pile into that and use the same holes over the bucket setup.

Is there an easy to navigate online resource for Washington state's rules regarding this? I've been looking at property in the state as my retirement window gets closer, and doing humanure composting on raw land without septic seems like a good option for me, but if there are specific rules to follow I hope to plan ahead as to what the hoops to jump through might be.

Thanks Mark! I considered kiddie pools too. It might be worth a try. I was thinking that the pool might hit my shins and cause me to bend forward an extra 6-20 inches. Humanure is legal on paper in Washington State,  but has very few examples of approval by local health jurisdictions. The key issue is that the health department considers urine and wash water waste, and judges won't likely disagree. Here is a link to a post with more info about making your own composting toilet legally in Washington State https://permies.com/mobile/t/55070/Public-Domain-Composting-Toilets-Legal. Good luck!

Here is the latest on grey water systems in Washington State, the ink is barely dry http://www.doh.wa.gov/portals/1/Documents/Pubs/337-077.pdf We are currently in a pissing match with Mason County over grey water and our humanure system.  The County contends that we are in violation of WAC 246-272 and I counter that we are in total compliance with WAC 173-308 and that tier 1 grey water systems are exempt.  They, the County, is mired is the previous century's rules & regs.

Rob