July 30 2012

Digging and filling was the order of the day. Bashing away at excavating the sand filter hole. Definitely looks like I'm going to have to get the backhoe into the hole once its deep enough and crack those rocks with the hammer.


Ocean view digging!

 Compacting the fill:

July 29 2012

I've started digging again and I am exactly 1/3rd of the way through. The digging moves along quite nicely but shifting all the dirt and compacting it takes longer. The weather has been very co-operative with highs in the mid 70's and a nice ocean breeze.

July 26th 2012

Work is progressing, after a mini vacation to Napa. The compaction of the dirt is going well and the bottom pad is developing nicely.

Adding Water:

Yours Truly:

Pump at full blast:

Running from the Mountain Lion!

July 19 2012

Yes the thrilling process of moving dirt is ongoing. I did manage to compact yesterdays deposit using the trusty 446D backhoe with a full load in the front bucket. I'm compacting using only 6" lifts so the backhoe is actually very effective.

This is about 12 yards of assorted dirt. I'll spread it and grade it tomorrow after it is wet down.

July 18 2012

I'm still moving dirt down the hill. I graded and compacted some today.


Before:

After:

Used This:
Cat D6N XL

Lots of flora and fauna out today including the fearsome tarantula wasp:

This is what the site looks like today:

July 15 2012

The last seepage pit was filled in this morning. Excavating the sand filter is next. I will be building a ramp down to the bottom of the pit once it's large enough. This will let me spread gravel and sand and also let me get the large rocks with the jackhammer if needed. More pictures tomorrow.

July 14 2012

Progress! I filled two more seepage pits and compacted the soil dump by the containers after wetting it down yesterday.
Here are some before and after seepage pit photos.

Before:

After:

July 13 2012

The inspection went great! No issues at all and the inspector was quite pleasant. He did mention that he didn't like our driveway...called it "Ice Road Truckerish". Maybe he doesn't want to come back too often.
I managed to fill the first seepage pit with gravel after I made sure the SDR 35 perforated pipe was wired firmly to the wooden board support (recycled from the Green Hut that used to be onsite). Only three left, I think I will be excavating more of the sand filter this weekend.

July 6th 2012

The permit issues have finally been sorted out. The cost so far for all the reports and permits is as follows:
$6000 for  three permits to install one OWTS with three septic tanks.
$2000 for updating the engineering reports.
$1500 for three seperate "permit to construct" permits.
The total is $9500 which is more than the cost of the septic tanks !

The onsite watering system is working fine and I can proceed with compaction with the aid of my workers.
Inspection is on Monday July 9th...I wonder how it will go?