As you search for a home to purchase, consider the following: is it hooked up to a septic or sewer system? Knowing the difference could save you money and hassle down the road.
Removing water and waste from your home can be done with a septic system or sewer. Each comes with pros and cons. In some cases, you won’t have a choice between septic and sewer due to the age or location of the home (many rural homes have septic systems). In other cases, you may be required to hook up to city sewer when purchasing a home with a septic system due to changes in city requirements.
Septic Tank
Back in the days of outhouses, no one was concerned about where the waste went. It went in a hole and was eventually covered up. When toilets moved indoors and plumbing became a new standard, removing the water and waste was challenging. Take the plumbing issue Seattle had back in the early days when the waste and water would shoot out of the toilet, sometimes when a persona was seated on it. Surely there had to be a better way... and there was.
Septic systems were first introduced in the early 1860s but a standard system wasn’t used in populated areas until the 1940s. What started out as a 500-gallon metal septic tank with a metal lid, later became precast concrete, fiberglass, or steel tanks capable of holding 1000 gallons.
Septic tanks are considered better for the environment compared to wastewater treated at a sewage plant. They are buried underground near the residence with piping that directs wastewater, from toilets, the dishwasher, sinks, etc., into the tank. As wastewater enters the tank, the heavy matter falls to the bottom, a scum layer floats to the top, and clear water sits in between. Bacteria break down the waste. As new wastewater enters the tank, clear water leaves the opposite side of the tank into drain fields. Every 1-3 years, depending on the size of the tank and amount of usage, a professional will need to pump out the tank. Also, your home will have a gas vent, piped through the rooftop, to safely remove rancid tank gas and keep you and your family safe.
Since you own the septic tank along with your property, you’ll be in charge of the maintenance, unlike sewer systems. Fortunately, septic tanks require little maintenance and are low cost compared to city sewer. Despite the pros, there are cons to septic tanks.
Cons:
- Backed-up drains. Septic systems can get backed up if a variety of materials clog the pipes, many of which shouldn’t be flushed or put down the drain, to begin with. Grease, hair, and hard particles are a few things that should never go down the drain if you use a septic system. If you notice your drains are draining slowly, call a professional.
- Potential for ruptured pipes. To limit the chance of ruptured septic system pipes, avoid planting trees or shrubs near septic systems. Damage to pipes could be costly and you will foot the bill.
- Water contamination. When septic tanks are not maintained properly, hazardous water can flow from the tank into nearby bodies of water and contaminate it and possibly human health.
- Fees to pump the tank may cost $250-$600
- If you’re building a new home in an area that doesn’t have city sewer, septic system installation will cost you $20,000+ depending on the size of the house.
More information about septic tanks can be found in this article.
Sewer
Sewers differ from septic systems in that they are public, maintained by your local municipality, you pay a fee to use them, and they eliminate the need for a tank on your property. A sewer line is piped from your house to a main line which carries water and waste away to a local treatment facility. Contaminants are removed at the facility and the remaining water is discharged into the local water supply. Because of the energy and chemicals needed to process sewer water, and the possible effects it may have on the environment, some prefer to steer clear of homes with sewers.
Cons:
- You have to pay to use the city sewer
- Chemicals are used to treat the water making it less environmentally friendly
- Costly if you have to switch from a septic system to sewer. You will be responsible for the cost to hook up to city sewer (we paid over $10,000 about 4 years ago)
Conclusion
Before you purchase a house, learn whether the waste removal system is a septic tank or city sewer. A variety of septic systems exist so you’ll need to talk to your real estate agent to determine which type is associated with the house you wish to purchase. You may prefer city sewer so you can avoid the maintenance associated with a septic tank. If you're concerned about cost, a well-maintained septic system will typically cost you less than installing and hooking up to city sewer. In most cases, you'll be stuck with whatever option came with the house unless city ordinances have changed, requiring you to switch from a septic tank to sewer.