Four Reasons to Convert Your Septic to Sewer

Have you been notified that you can now tie into your local sewer system in your town or county? If you have been wondering whether it is worth the cost or effort to change over to the sewer system, you need to consider the benefits. While there is an initial investment, these four reasons may be enough to help you decide whether the time is right to convert from septic to sewer for your home or business.

  1. No more pumping and septic inspections/repairs. Septic systems require regular maintenance, pumping and repairs, much more than the average sewer system. Most working parts of the sewer system will be maintained by the utility company.
  2. Higher home/business value. Your home or business will be worth more with a sewer system than a septic. Many potential homebuyers will steer away from homes with a septic system due to the higher maintenance needs and possible high cost of septic repairs.
  3. Less expensive than a septic replacement. In most cases, converting from a septic to sewer is less expensive than replacing your septic system. If you have an older system, it is just a matter of time before some or all of your septic system will need to be replaced.
  4. Easier to use. Septic systems have quirks and limitations that sewer systems do not. Sewer systems can handle larger amounts of waste and certain items that septic systems cannot.

If you think you are ready to make the conversion to sewer, talk to your local septic/sewer service provider that is certified to make the conversion in your region and state. Once you make the switch, you will be glad you did!

Posted on behalf of:
Hunter’s Septic Service
Nesbit, MS
(662) 429-1686

Benefits of Changing from Septic to City Sewer Line

Most people, if given a choice, would prefer to change from their septic sewer to city sewer line. People tend to prefer a city sewer system because major problems become the responsibility of the controlling municipality. Anyone who has ever experienced a septic system backup on their property can appreciate what a benefit off-site wastewater treatment can be.

  • Public systems are well contained and monitored.  This means the quality of our drinking water is preserved.  Septic tanks can seep and pollute drinking water.
  • Keeping and maintaining a sewer system falls on the homeowner’s responsibilities and can be quite costly. When homeowners don’t take care of their septic system, they can have a very large and expensive nuisance to deal with.
  • When wastewater is not properly treated it can contaminate surface and groundwater and threaten public health.
  • Another benefit of city hookup; your property value will automatically increase.  Most people don’t want to purchase property without the city hookup already in place.
  • In most areas, even if you have a septic tank, if public lines run adjacent to your property, you still have to pay the public sewer charge every month.

Contact your local septic system professional if you are considering changing from your septic system and hooking up with your city’s sewer system. A sewer conversion is not a job you should attempt on your own. This is not a weekend project you can do by yourself.

You will have much comfort in knowing you are no longer responsible for taking care of the beast in your back yard. These trained professionals will help you every step of the way.

The Benefits of Having a Sewer System Versus a Septic System

You may live in a small town, rural, community where almost everyone has a septic system. Gradually, new developments of homes arise. Soon what was once a wooded lot close to town becomes a strip mall and business development is on the rise. As businesses begin to boom and construction increases, there is little doubt that the installation of public sewer systems will soon follow. So, what advantages can you anticipate when this change reaches your neighborhood?

According to today’s developers and city planners, a community becomes more established and permanent when a sewer system is installed. Once they get over paying for it with their taxes, most people tend to prefer a city sewer system, primarily because major problems, like main line stoppages, become the responsibility of the controlling municipality. Furthermore, because a public system is so well contained and monitored, the quality of drinking water is preserved. Conversely, septic tanks can seep and pollute drinking water, potentially threatening one’s health.

Besides safely and effectively transporting wastewater from an entire neighborhood of homes and businesses, sewer systems usually have designed a run-off plan for excessive rainwater in the hopes of flood prevention. This is one way in which sewers and water treatment plants help to preserve the environment. Primarily, sewer systems help to ensure that wastewater that is discharged back into the environment is sanitary, safe and free of potentially harmful pollutants.

Contact your local septic-sewer professional if you are considering changing from your septic system and hooking up with your city’s sewer system. They can help you with the sewer installation process and ensure that your best interests are protected.

Septic to Sewer – Making the Conversion Decision

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.

 

Costs Involved in Converting From Septic to Sewer

If you are considering converting your existing septic system to sewer service, you should be aware of the costs involved before you take the plunge.  There can be some advantages to connecting your home to a municipal sewer system rather than a septic system, but there is usually a significant up front cost to making the conversion.  Costs vary widely depending on your area and the particular circumstances of your situation.

If there is a municipal sewer line that runs near your property, you have the option of connecting to the municipal sewer system or continuing to use your septic system.  Connecting to the sewer line involves having a sewer lateral installed by an experienced plumber or sewer-septic professional.  The sewer lateral is a large diameter pipe that runs from your house to the municipal sewer line.  The costs vary depending on the distance and difficulty of construction, but are typically between $2,500 and $5,000.

Once your home is connected to the sewer system, your old septic tank should be pumped out and filled with dirt or sand.  The lid is usually crushed and used as part of the fill for the tank.  The cost of abandoning the septic system is around $1,000.

Most municipalities will also charge a connection fee for the initial connection to the municipal sewer system and there will also be permit fees and inspection fees.  Connection fees vary widely depending on the municipality but expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000.

Comparing Estimates For Sewer-Septic Work

For routine sewer septic needs such as septic tank pumping, calling an experienced local sewer septic company will get the job done. However, if you need a big sewer-septic job done such as replacing or installing a new septic tank or septic field, or you need a sewer installation or conversion, the better practice is to obtain several estimates for completing the work from different sewer-septic professionals.

The idea behind getting and comparing estimates is not necessarily to find the lowest price, but rather to ensure that you get top quality work at a fair price.  In some cases, the lowest estimate is the best one, but in other cases the low estimate is due to shoddy work or inferior materials and you are better off with a different sewer-septic company.

When comparing estimates, be sure that each estimate covers all of the work to be done.  Most sewer septic work involves excavation so be sure that the cost of excavation is covered including the cost of any equipment rental if needed.  The estimate should also address who is responsible for obtaining any necessary permits and any clean up and disposal of debris.

Once you are sure you are comparing estimates for the same scope of work, check to see that each estimate uses similar quality materials.  The cost of materials should be about the same for each estimate since most sewer-septic contractors buy their materials from the same place.

Labor costs may vary depending on the business model of each sewer-septic contractor, but an estimate with significantly lower labor costs needs further investigation.

By obtaining and comparing estimates for the work, you will be more likely to choose a qualified sewer-septic professional and be satisfied with the work.

Septic to Sewer Conversions

If your home is on a septic system, you may be wondering if there are any advantages to converting to a sewer system.  The first consideration is whether you even have the option of converting to sewer.  If there is no municipal sewer service in your area, your only option is to continue with your septic system.

If municipal sewer service is available, then you should consider whether the cost of the conversion makes sense.  Making the conversion is a big job that should be left to a local plumber or sewer-septic professional with experience in sewer installation.

The cost of the conversion varies depending on connection fees, the distance between your home and the municipal sewer line, and any obstacles in between such as driveways or swimming pools, but a typical conversion can cost in the neighborhood of $5,000 to $10,000.   Most sewer-septic professionals will be happy to provide a free estimate.

The advantages of sewer service include less maintenance and lower potential for problems to arise than septic.  Septic systems require regular maintenance including period septic tank pumping and inspections.  The life expectancy of a septic system varies widely depending on the installation and how well it is maintained, but typically 20 to 30 years is about average.  Some septic systems fail much sooner, especially if they are improperly installed or maintained.  A sewer connection lasts almost indefinitely.  In addition, most homebuyers prefer sewer over septic so the value of your home may increase.

The disadvantage of a sewer connection is primarily the cost of the conversion.  In addition, there are monthly charges for sewer service which are generally calculated based on water usage.

Your sewer-septic professional can help you decide if a conversion to sewer is right for your situation.