If you’re a prospective homebuyer looking at a house currently on septic or a homeowner living somewhere that might move from septic to a sewer system, you probably have a few questions. Like many of life’s big decisions, one component of the sewer versus septic question is cost. Comparing numbers can seem daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with septic services and maintenance. However, comparing the two wastewater options shows why being on septic is financially advantageous.
If you’re curious about the financial benefit or cost savings of having a septic system, consider these questions.
Should I Move From Sewer to Septic?
For certain people, usually in more remote areas, septic is the only option for their home. If you’re already on septic, it’s a smart financial decision to stay. Changing from septic to sewer requires quite a bit of work and the costs quickly add up. To start, the cost of installing a sewer line is relatively hefty. In the United States, it can cost as little as $1200 or up to $8500 depending on your contractor and location according to HomeAdvisor.com. After the line is in place, you then need to connect it to your town’s sewer system and properly collapse or evacuate the septic tank. It is important to address this immediately to prevent the unplanned collapse and dangers that may pose to your family and property. These expenses, plus additional fees depending on your municipality, are why it’s advisable to stay on septic.
Essentially, if you’re on septic or are looking to buy a home that includes a septic system, you’re better off keeping it than switching. As long as you invest in preventative maintenance to keep your system healthy, both your monthly and annual costs are going to be lower. If the septic system isn’t too old, annual maintenance fees are pretty low, especially compared to sewer bills.
How Does a Septic System Save Me Money?
For homes already on septic or for those who are debating between switching to sewer, septic is your best option financially. The first thing you’ll notice is the lack of a sewer bill. The city no longer processes your wastewater, so you’re already saving yourself that monthly cost. For a septic system, the only recurring cost is maintenance. The good news is maintenance isn’t a monthly occurrence, so it won’t add up in the same way as monthly sewer bills.
It’s difficult to predict an exact amount, but potential savings over years of maintaining a healthy septic system range from the thousands to tens-of-thousands, depending on how long you live there. Maintaining a septic system has many long-term benefits including environmental and the septic system’s long life expectancy, but also considerable savings over utilizing a sewer system. One other consideration is the point to which you as the homeowner are responsible for repairs to the connection versus the point where your sewer company or municipality will remedy any issues. Sewer connections and all pipes to the house are normally the responsibility of the homeowner in case of any issues or repairs, but check with your authorities to verify.
New homebuyers and homeowners have enough to worry about, so learning about the benefits of a septic system shouldn’t be stressful. Wind River Environmental is here to help you save money and keep your septic system healthy. With 5-Star Service across 16 states on the east coast, the helpful team of operators and technicians are here to help with anything. If you’re in need of any septic system services, including installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today!