Many homeowners whose homes were originally built in an area where there was no municipal sewer service later have an opportunity to hook up to the municipal sewers. As the local area becomes more developed, sewers and other infrastructure slowly expand into new areas. In some cases, local ordinances require existing homes to connect to the sewer system, but in most cases the decision is left up to the homeowner.
Septic to sewer conversions can be expensive. Expect to pay between $5,000 and $10,000 or more to make the conversion. Most municipal sewer authorities also charge a connection fee although the fee might be waived or reduced for conversions.
Whether it makes sense to convert from a septic system to a sewer system depends on a variety of factors. Sewer systems have a lot of advantages over septic systems. For example, a sewer lateral needs very little maintenance and modern PVC or ABS sewer lines are not nearly as susceptible to tree root infiltration as older clay and cast iron sewer lines. That means that unless the ground shifts or a heavy vehicle drives over the sewer line and crushes it, the sewer lateral should last a very long time with hardly any maintenance.
On the other hand, a septic system needs regular septic tank pumping to stay in good working order. Also, a leech field can last for decades if properly designed and cared for, but most septic fields need to be replaced after about 20 to 30 years. Also, you have to be a little more careful about the volume of water and the type of waste material put into a septic system. Septic systems can suffer from hydraulic overload and are less tolerant of food wastes, household chemicals, and other waste products.
Finally, converting from septic to sewer can increase the value of your home. Buyers prefer homes with sewer connections and are especially wary of homes with old or failing septic systems.
