Outhouse Barrel

[SkunkedAgain]

Our cabin outhouse is just your standard hole in the ground with a 55 galoon drum. After ten years of use it is full. What is the best, lake friendly way to deal with it? We've used Rid-X but it doesn't quite work it down enough and we don't want to go all the way to using lye. Digging a new hole isn't a good option nor is pumping, since we're boat access and high up on a rocky hill.

[pushbutton]

Been thinking about this, not a whole lot though because dung beetles and drying out patties to burn in your fireplace first came to mind. Would think a couple bad days, lots of blisters, and a pick axe named Bruce is probably your best bet. Suppose you could always come up with some contraption that acts as a proverbial industrial doggie [PoorWordUsage] bag and bring some out each time.....like maybe McGyiver(sp?) a 5 bucket that can hook up to a rv dump. Not a very pleasant option though. .....

[pushbutton]

Po.op bag was all I was trying to say......

[SkunkedAgain]

Gotcha. That is an option going forward to use a bag but I'll have to work really hard to get it all to leach out of the current drum.

[smurfy]

Our cabin outhouse is just your standard hole in the ground with a 55 galoon drum. After ten years of use it is full. What is the best, lake friendly way to deal with it? We've used Rid-X but it doesn't quite work it down enough and we don't want to go all the way to using lye. Digging a new hole isn't a good option nor is pumping, since we're boat access and high up on a rocky hill.

tell me more about therid-x and lye. what does this stuff due to outdoor outhouses?????

[Tom7227]

I think there was a post like this a while back and the solution there was to hire a pump truck and have them pump it out. Check with a local company and find out if that is possible.

[delcecchi]

What lake are we talking about?

[jentz]

A pump truck cant pump solids.You'd need a water supply and a stirer.Does the barrel have the bottom intact or cut out to drain liquids? Lime and any chemical would take years to breakdown a barrel full and it would need stired so oxygen can make chems work.Personally I'd do it the old fashion way,Thats move the outhouse and fill the hole.

[pushbutton]

Yeah, as far as I know there is no real way to use any microbial/chemical agent to get rid of the solids. Short of digging a nnew spot...considering your site set up and as poorly stated before...that physically removing the sludge yourself is probably your only other option. Again, it would not be pretty, but 5 to 10 gallons a trip is possible. When I was young and broke shortly after buying a property had a septic sludge/root up and spent a couple really really bad days removing it the old fashioned way

[wishing for walleyes]

Maybe start a garden.

[Down Deep]

How about renting a sewage pump. Use a pressure washer to break up the solids. A 55 gallon drum isn't much volume and I believe that letting it dry and burning off the dry waste would be an acceptable. Doesn't sound like a pleasant job no matter what.

[delcecchi]

How about renting a sewage pump. Use a pressure washer to break up the solids. A 55 gallon drum isn't much volume and I believe that letting it dry and burning off the dry waste would be an acceptable. Doesn't sound like a pleasant job no matter what.

Wasn't that the GI solution? Diesel Fuel and a match?

[SkunkedAgain]

I'm essentially on an island on Lake Vermilion, high up on a rock cliff so there is no pump truck coming my way. The original owners blasted a hole through the rocks to dig this outhouse hole and I don't want to dig a new one and then haul in enough dirt to fill the old hole. It sounds like hauling it out into the woods might be my only solution.

[nofishfisherman]

Might I suggest an alternative...

[pushbutton]

That's what I like about HSO!

[Dave]

Post hole digger, wheelbarrow and an air mask?

[delcecchi]

How far from shore? And how much woods do you have? Got a place you can dig one or more holes to bury it? Nobody with wells in the area?

[SkunkedAgain]

Lot's of land and probably 200' back from the shore...and quite a few feet above. I'm liking the post hole grabber and a wheelbarrow to a nice spot back in the woods. No wells around us, we've got 8 acres, and miles of forfeited tax lands behind us. Maybe those beavers are about to get some new siding to the second lodge that they built!

[ozzie]

just thinking out loud but what about some kind of vacuum (wet dry vac) to remove the matter and then transport to another area for disposing? 5 gallons at a time...it would be some work but best option I could think of.

[delcecchi]

Lot's of land and probably 200' back from the shore...and quite a few feet above. I'm liking the post hole grabber and a wheelbarrow to a nice spot back in the woods. No wells around us, we've got 8 acres, and miles of forfeited tax lands behind us. Maybe those beavers are about to get some new siding to the second lodge that they built!

Then I think you are good to go. Don't ask don't tell. Maybe dig a hole to put it in, just for appearance sake. Besides I think maybe I drive my boat past there now and then. Black Bay, right?

[SkunkedAgain]

Yup, make sure to stay up wind that day Del

[delcecchi]

You done, so it is safe to have a picnic?