What does it mean to convert from septic to sewer?
Whereas septic tanks are required to be manually pumped once every 3-5 years at the homeowner’s expense, the City’s centralized sewer system collects waste from homes and pipes it to the City’s wastewater treatment plant to be processed.
Why should I convert my septic tank to sewer?
Connecting to the centralized sewer system reduces algae bloom-feeding nitrogen and phosphorous pollutants in the groundwater that migrate to and negatively impact the health of the nearby lakes, rivers and their inhabitants.
Septic systems are commonly used where centralized sewer systems do not exist. Septic systems are often a safe means of disposing of domestic waste when properly maintained. However, when septic systems are installed over sand or other poor soils close to the groundwater table or open water, they can contribute to pollutants, nutrients, bacteria, and viruses to the environment. Leaky or poorly maintained tanks and failing drain fields also pollute water.
What are the benefits to connecting to sewer?
There are many tangible and intangible benefits of connecting to the centralized sewer, to include:
- City sewer services are more reliable and require less homeowner maintenance than septic systems.
- Septic systems are statutorily required to be maintained at the homeowner’s expense. The typical cost to pump a septic tank is approximately $250-$400 per occurrence. Additional services and maintenance costs also apply.
- Current regulatory requirements for septic systems have become much more restrictive. Replacement or repair of aged septic systems may be more costly or possibly prohibited. If your septic system fails and centralized sewer exists at your property line, a permit to replace the septic tank is less likely to be approved, requiring connection to centralized sewer.
- Connection to centralized sewer may contribute to increased property values, especially if a property has the liability of a non-compliant or aging septic system.
- Disabling septic systems and connecting to centralized sewer will reduce impacts to potable water wells and groundwater quality. This will alleviate concerns of potential groundwater contamination and possible enforcement actions.
- Converting to sewer now with EPA grant funding will save you money as compared to connecting later without grant funding.
What are the disadvantages of not connecting to sewer?
There’s no obligation to connect, but if you desire (or are required) to do so later, you will be required to pay for the complete conversion costs yourself. This can cost $12,000 or more.
If in the future a homeowner decides to connect on their own it would be the responsibility of the homeowner to find a certified and licensed plumber or septic contractor to connect to the City's sewer system.
Homeowner would be responsible to pay all permitting fees with the Permitting Services Office for inspections and to final out of the plumbing work.