A septic tank is an on-site wastewater treatment system. You don’t have to pay bills to another company for it, but you have to maintain it yourself. A sewer system connects multiple homes together to a sewer main. In the Pacific Northwest, there are homes with sewer and others with septic systems.
You should know if your house has a septic or sewer system. Some homes are actually updating from septic tanks to sewer systems. It really depends on whether you live in a rural, suburban, or urban environment, which system will work best for your household. Flow-Rite Septic can help you with all of your plumbing and septic needs. This article will go over the differences between sewer and septic systems.
What is a septic tank and a sewer?
A septic tank is a system for treating wastewater, and is located on a home’s property. It consists of several tanks and a drain field. When properly designed and built, a septic system can last for many decades. All of the drains in your home will lead to the septic tank, where waste is broken down. Eventually, the separated water will be released into the soil.
A sewer is a large, public system that uses pipes to deliver wastewater to a treatment facility. Most towns and cities have a sewer system. The sewer can be accessed through manholes and ladders. Usually, the sewage treatment facility is located in a low-lying area so that gravity can help carry the wastewater where it needs to go. Once at the plant, water goes through multiple stages of treatment to be cleaned. The water is then reused or released into local bodies of water.
Main Differences:
1. Upfront Cost
Installing a new septic system on your property usually costs between $10,000 and $25,000. Some factors that determine price include tank size, soil conditions, site accessibility, and the type of septic system.
On the other hand, connecting your home to an existing sewer line usually costs between $ 3,000 and $ 8,000. This amount will depend on your home’s location, its distance from the main sewer line, the difficulty with excavation and terrain, municipal fees, and the cost of converting from a septic tank.
2. Ongoing Maintenance
If you have a septic system, you don’t have to pay bills every month. However, you have to pay your own maintenance and repair costs and pay to have the tank pumped every few years.
For a sewer system, you pay a utility bill to the city, and they are supposed to handle the maintenance. Your taxes help pay for the sewage treatment plant. At the end of the day, sewer systems require less personal maintenance, but the cost of bills will add up over time.
3. Water Usage
There are certain things you should probably never flush down the drain, but sewers are more tolerant of chemicals, foreign objects, and other things that would damage a septic system. Sewers can also more easily handle large quantities of water.
On the other hand, septic tanks can get overwhelmed by water if you send too much down the drain. Septic tanks are also sensitive to harsh chemicals, which can kill the helpful bacteria in there that naturally break down and process wastewater. Items that aren’t waste, water, or toilet paper can also clog and damage septic tanks.
Pros and Cons
Pros of Septic:
- You aren’t affected by sewer system outages such as community backlogs or overflows.
- Having the option of a septic tank gives homeowners greater freedom and allows them to live farther from cities.
- You don’t have to pay a monthly bill, so septic is more cost-efficient.
- Septic systems are reliable and long-lasting when properly maintained.
Cons of Septic:
- Septic tanks need to be pumped every few years.
- Septic systems can only handle a certain amount of water.
- If a part of your septic system fails, it’s your responsibility to notice something is wrong and get it fixed.
Pros of Sewer:
- Sewer lines are more robust than septic systems and can handle chemicals and large volumes of water.
- You don’t have to worry about maintaining the sewer system on your own.
Cons of Sewer:
- Having to pay hundreds of dollars in fees to the sewer company every year.
- Your plumbing may be affected if there’s a sewer issue.
In Thurston and Pierce Counties, there is a mix of homes with septic systems and those with sewer service. It depends on the home’s age and the area’s population density. Deciding whether you want to keep your septic tank or connect to the local sewer line is a big decision.
Reach out to Flow-Rite Septic Solutions, and we can help you with any of your septic system needs. We provide septic tank repair, installation, and pumping in Pierce and Thurston Counties.
Flow-Rite Septic Solutions has the experience needed to handle tough jobs that other plumbers can't. When you need advice for informed decision-making about sewer or septic, you can count on Flow-Rite Septic Solution’s experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because septic systems require less infrastructure and energy to operate, they are more environmentally friendly. Septic tanks also don't rely on chemicals to treat wastewater and help conserve local groundwater.
Septic tanks cost more money to install, but sewer systems require monthly bill payments. In the long run, sewer ends up being more expensive because the monthly expenses add up over time.
If you have an old, failing septic system, it may be time to connect to a local sewer line; it could be a better investment than repairing the septic system. You may also want to switch to a sewer line if you're tired of maintaining your septic system.
Some factors to consider when choosing between a sewer and a septic system include soil type, property location, household size, budget, water usage, and future plans for the property. An expert can help you decide what to do.
Get your septic tank pumped every few years, don't put objects bad for septic systems down your drains, get plumbing inspections done, and watch for any signs of failure. When properly maintained, septic tanks can continue to function for many years.
