Vermifilter septic system with possibly the first construction permit in the USA

[Kimi Ishikawa]

We just finished building our vermifilter septic system, 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 

The system is still months away from being in operation, since we haven't plumbed our house yet... but 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 suitable for irrigation.

[Burton & Cherstin Sparks]

Congratulations!  We submitted our application yesterday.  After working with our county approver we learned that our state is very supportive of composting and greywater, more so than I thought.  Once I showed that it was composting that contained the solids and used standard plumbing, they seemed very open to it being just like a greywater application.  I've got a question in to confirm that we can use the effluent after secondary and tertiary cleaning as surface discharge quality greywater, but expect to hear back soon.