Can I let septic aerobic system water compost pile?

17 years ago

According to the manufacturer of our septic/aerobic system, one could supposedly drink the water from the spray. Of course we're not actually going to do that, but I'm wondering if it would be a good or bad idea to locate my compost pile where the spray would water it.

It's a very convenient location & it's usually moist, but not soggy. I'm just not sure if whatever is in the water (we do put chlorine tabs in the tanks) would be beneficial or detrimental to the compost , or to whatever I put that compost on in the future. If the vegetation growing in that area is any indication, I would think it would be beneficial (it's mostly weeds, but they are mutants!)

We're not growing veges for sale, but I do have some herbs and a couple pepper plants. Mostly I will be using the compost for flowers. Should I do two piles (one for floral, one for food)?

As always, your advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

- Mari

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Comments (5)

gonefishin
17 years ago
I think that I would go with two piles, one for landscaping and one for growing veggies.

My brother built a new home a few years back in E. Texas and had to pay big bucks for the latest, state of the art septic system (probably like you have). They also said that the water from the final stage was potable (drinkable) but he wanted to put his garden where a little bit of it would benefit from one of the end sprinklers. He was told by the State and County that he could not do that. What does that tell us. He ask them if they would like a drink of water from the end sprinkler and they declined (which he and I both would also decline) and I think that tells us that they do not have full confidence that it is as completely safe as it is cracked up to be. I am speculating and could be wrong, of course.

Bill P.
digdirt2
17 years ago
I think the chlorine you add would pose a problem for effective composting. The beneficial bacteria in septic tanks are killed by chlorine - that is why they suggest avoiding chlorine based cleaners going down the drain - so I would think it would kill the bactieria needed in the compost pile too.

I know it isn't much chlorine - we used to have a similar system - but it is more than is added to city water and it doesn't take much to kill the digestive bacteria in the compost pile. JMO
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Kimmsr
17 years ago
Except for the chlorine you could use that water to moisten your compost but there would be too much. Keep in mind that the water you use every day has been recycled many times.
adayfromnow
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the advice y'all. The aerobic spray would've been good for convenience & conservation, but I think I'll scout out a different location for the compost. I was mostly worried about the chlorine killing the bacteria needed for the compost and we don't want that. Thanks for confirming my suspicions.

I read somewhere (on GW) that the chlorine dissipates after some time (a couple days?). I may just capture some of the spray, let it set & then use it for watering (landscape). If the mutant weeds and "doo doo grass" are any indication, there are definitely some "nutrients" left in that water that plants seem to like (a good indication that it's NOT potable - lol). Or, it could just be that they get lots of water. It's too bad the sprinkler heads are located where they're pretty much useless for landscaping. Oh well. I'm gonna TRY to figure out some way to make use of the otherwise wasted water. I'll use it on some & use other water on others & see what happens.

Thanks again,
Mari
gardener_sandy
17 years ago
I don't know about Texas, but in VA any system that uses chlorine to kill the bacteria must also have a dechlorinator to remove the chlorine before it's sprayed or put in a creek or river. Check to see if this is the case with your system. If so, it should be ok to use on most anything. I personally wouldn't want it used directly on a vegetable crop but putting it on the compost should not pose a problem. Just be sure it doesn't get TOO wet or you'll have a stinking mess on your hands.

Can I let septic aerobic system water compost pile?

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gonefishin

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Can I let septic aerobic system water compost pile?

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