The Smarter Soak Pit Alternative for Off-Grid Living: Ecovault Infiltration Chamber
Designing a reliable greywater system is one of the biggest challenges in off-grid living. While waterless toilets solve the solid waste question, the liquid side - especially urine and light greywater - still needs a safe and effective solution.
Traditionally, many turn to a soak pit. But digging a gravel-filled hole is not always predictable, efficient, or easy to scale.
That’s where the Ecovault Infiltration Chamber comes in - a modern soak pit alternative designed for today’s off-grid systems.
From soak pit to infiltration system
A traditional soak pit relies on loose gravel and soil conditions that are often hard to control. Over time, these systems can compact, clog, or simply underperform.
The Ecovault takes the same principle - allowing liquid to infiltrate into the soil - and improves it through a structured infiltration chamber design.
Instead of random void space, the chamber creates a consistent underground infiltration field, ensuring reliable dispersion of liquid into the surrounding soil.
This makes it not just an alternative to a soak pit, but a more controlled and scalable solution.
Designed for modern greywater systems
The Ecovault is purpose-built for off-grid wastewater flows:
- Urine from urine-diverting toilets
- Light greywater from showers
- Bathroom sink water (with simple pre-treatment)
It is not intended for blackwater, which keeps the system simple, safe, and low-maintenance.
Because of this focus, it integrates naturally into a complete greywater system for cabins, tiny homes, and ADUs.
The perfect match for Separett toilets
For users of Separett urine-diverting toilets like the Villa and the Tiny, the Ecovault offers a complete solution for liquid handling.
Urine separation is one of the most effective ways to simplify sanitation - but it still requires proper infiltration into the ground. The Ecovault is specifically suited for this purpose, providing a dedicated infiltration chamber system that handles urine safely and efficiently.
Instead of improvising with a soak pit, you get a designed infiltration field that matches the performance and reliability of the toilet itself.
Right-sized for real use
One of the key advantages of the Ecovault system is how easy it is to size correctly.
A standard set includes two chambers, each with approximately 20 gallons of capacity.
For most setups:
- A set of two chambers is sufficient for two people
- This includes urine, shower, and sink water
- Additional chambers can be added for higher usage or more demanding soil conditions
This modular approach makes it easy to build a system that fits your exact needs—whether seasonal or full-time.
Easy installation, predictable performance
Unlike a traditional soak pit, the Ecovault system is designed to be repeatable and straightforward to install.
Assembly is simple:
- Click the chamber halves together
- Attach the end grids
- Cut an inlet opening for the pipe
- Connect multiple chambers if needed
Once assembled, the chambers are placed on a gravel base, wrapped in non-woven geotextile fabric, and backfilled.
The geotextile fabric is a key component, preventing soil from entering the chamber while allowing water to pass through - ensuring long-term performance of the infiltration system.
A better way to build your infiltration field
An effective infiltration field doesn’t need to be complicated - but it does need to be reliable.
With the Ecovault Infiltration Chamber, you move beyond trial-and-error soak pits to a system that is:
- Structured and predictable
- Easy to scale
- Compatible with modern greywater systems
- Optimized for urine-diverting toilets
It’s a small upgrade that makes a big difference in how your entire off-grid system performs.
Build with confidence
Off-grid living is about creating systems that work - day after day, year after year.
The Ecovault gives you a dependable foundation for handling liquid waste, whether you’re installing a Separett Villa, a Separett Tiny, a Separett Pee, or building a complete greywater system from scratch.
Because when every part of your setup works together, off-grid living stops being a compromise - and starts feeling like the better way forward.