Wastewater and wells in MHPs and Tiny Home Communities

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Wastewater and wells in MHPs and Tiny Home Communities

Ed O.
Investor · Statewide, MO · Member since 2011 · 814 posts · 425 votes

I'm curious to hear how these are set up in newer developments where city water and sewer are too far away. Sewers to me are a foreign concept as I've been fortunate to always be on city water and sewer. 

What would a new, rural setup look like for say, 50 to 100 units. Is there a rough and dirty rule for sharing wells and using a common septic for multiple dwellings to ease up on costs and make things for efficient?

Thanks in advance!

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Penney Vasquez
Member since 2022 · 3 posts · 2 votes
2y

following for more info

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  • Penney Vasquez
    Member since 2022 · 3 posts · 2 votes
    2y

    following for more info

    1Reply
  • Ed O.
    OP
    Investor · Statewide, MO · Member since 2011 · 814 posts · 425 votes
    2y

    Bump

    0Reply
  • Don KonipolBusiness Member
    Investor · The Woodlands TX / Avon, CT · Member since 2009 · 6k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Ed O.:

    I'm curious to hear how these are set up in newer developments where city water and sewer are too far away. Sewers to me are a foreign concept as I've been fortunate to always be on city water and sewer. 

    What would a new, rural setup look like for say, 50 to 100 units. Is there a rough and dirty rule for sharing wells and using a common septic for multiple dwellings to ease up on costs and make things for efficient?

    Thanks in advance!

    Well and septic.  
    Private Mortgage Financing Partners, LLC
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Ed O.
    OP
    Investor · Statewide, MO · Member since 2011 · 814 posts · 425 votes
    2y

    @Don Konipol

    Since we're sitting in front of computers and not having a conversation, I can't tell:

    1. Are you being sarcastic? 

    or 

    2. Did you not read the post? 

    0Reply
  • Roger D Jones
    Member since 2023 · 178 posts · 122 votes
    2y

    I don't think @Don Konipol was being sarcastic he just answered your post with basically the only answer there is.  Outside of City services you will need to punch a well and depending on the size of the community maybe two.  For sewage you will need septic tanks and drainfields.  It will have to be professionally designed.  I have heard some systems have individual tanks with shared drainfields but again it would need to be professionally designed.  I suppose you could save some money that way but at this point it is going to be so expensive it won't even matter anymore as you will be punch drunk with the invoices piled up on your desk.

    1Reply
  • Jamie Hora
    Developer · San Antonio · Member since 2016 · 157 posts · 85 votes
    2y

    If you wish for each home/lot to have their own septic tank, counties or city code will usually require a minimum lot size (1/2ac - 1 ac min roughly).  Since you said tiny homes, this is probably not an option.  

    Septic fields are an option, but they can require a quite a bit of open space.  Best advice is to reach out a septic designer and see how many drain fields you would need, or how many homes you can combine into 1 field based on code & practicality.  In my experience on my commercial sites (with restaurants), roughly 1 acre out of the 4 acre site could be eaten up by a septic field. Not sure about residential though.  

    A well can definitely be set up to serve more than 1 home. Just need to see how much water a well in your area can produce, plus the cost / efficiency of a larger well vs multiple individuals. 

    In both scenarios with "shared" services, I would also give consideration to the shared responsibility & maintenance of the septic field , well, and equipment. 

    1Reply
  • Jeff Flynn
    Investor · Auburn, AL · Member since 2024 · 5 posts · 4 votes
    2y

    If you get a well to supply water, you may take on liability if a tenant were to get sick from the water.  That is why most MHP operators stay away from wells if they can.  If it is the only option, you may be able to find a company that will take on that liability and service the well to ensure it is safe. 

    As far as septic goes, I think it gets a bad reputation but I honestly prefer it over city sewer.  Although the city sewer itself is pretty hassle free, it comes with being in a city and cities tend to be difficult to work with if you are running a mobile home or tiny home park.  

    Typicaly the amount of septic you need is going to be determined by the bathrooms in the units you are connect to them.  A 2 bathroom mobile home would need a larger system than a 1 bathroom mobile home.   If you are going to be using tiny homes, you may be able to use one large tank with enough field lines for 2 tiny homes. Doing it that way would only be a tad bit cheaper than a separate tank for each home.  At least that is how it is around me. 

    1Reply
  • Aaron Franke
    Saint Charles, MO · Member since 2016 · 12 posts · 3 votes
    2y

    Google small waste treatment plant.  depending on the size of your complex and location you will have to get a permit from you state Department of Natural resources.  Typically they are sized by the gallons of water you use, and you are permitted by that size.  At least in Missouri, and depending on size, you typically have to test your waste water monthly/quarterly, and then you have to file a form quarterly with DNR which reports the status of your treatment facility.  

    You can hire an operator to manage the sampling, sludge collection, and forms to file quarterly, for around 4-600/mo (again depending on size).  Once you get over 14,000/gallons a day I can't speak what is required (all i have used)

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