Howdy CCove,
What a perfect and wonderful project for our times!
Here is our curiosity:
There are alternatives to septic using an ancestral system of biochar and effective microrganisms called Terra Preta. This technique produces long lasting nutrient rich soils, sequesters carbon, connects us to humanure – rather than creating a separation – and can be combined with insects (such as black soldier flies) and compost worms to optimize the processing time. There is a scientifically based notion that the Amazon’s rainforest was created using this practice.
How open would OSR be to a resident applying indigenous technologies that use very little modern technology (which require spare parts for maintenance and keep us tied to the “grid”), such as, rain capture and charcoal burial in lieu of well water, and soil amendments through inoculated biochar, insect nurseries and native weeds?
What is the possibility of the OSR community working with regulators to legalize regenerative practices in Juab Co. or Utah State, thus, saving the water demands, carbon footprint and costs of septic systems. We are actively practicing these old techniques on the small household scale here in the Pacific Northwest and are very interested in having a community of self-reliant neighbors.
Viv and Finnpo, members of One Planet Trust
The co-op is open to all alternatives. Sadly, the county health department may not be. You’d have to ask them.
I’d be surprised if the co-op had the funds for hiring an attorney to get the laws changed. And the residents are all focused on food production and building out their homesteads.