Septic vs Sewer

[Shannon]

Terry:

Let me confirm a few facts. The city owns the sewer system, and the houses under consideration are within the city limits. If that is true, the city may be extending the lines in order to avoid a law suit or in response to a suit. When cities expand their limit, and they don't provide city services like sewer, most courts have required the cities to offer all citizens all the services.

That said, I believe sewer does impact market appeal and value. In my neighborhood of modest homes valued from $150's to the $180's, I have seen a $15,000 difference between two similar houses. One had a sand filtration septic system, and the other was connected to sewer. In other part of my market, the difference is not measured in dollars. Some of these homes will not sell until they are connected. Others will sell whether or not they have septic systems. The municipalities in southern Orange County do not own the sewer system, so city limit extensions do not automatically result in sewer connection.

I agree with Tom Hildebrandt's analysis regarding sewer adding value to lots that couldn't support septic. Locally that happened in a neighborhood north of town. Sewer was extended because neighboring development bought it closer, and because septic systems were failing. Since sewer can through that area five years ago, values have risen dramatically, new construction is going on lots that wouldn't perk, and the whole neighborhood has been renewed. Similar market reactions happened in other neighborhoods built in the 1950's throught the 1970's.

This is an interesting topic, and posts show the wide local reaction. One of the main items driving my market is the school system. We enjoy being in the top rated school district in North Carolina. This attracts a lot of people, and we are just about out of new development sites. Because of the supply and demand issues, sewer connection has a strong impact on some parts of the market.

Let us know what happens.


Regards,

Shannon Julian
Chapel Hill, NC

 

[Joe Birrell (NY)]

In my area the addition of sewers would only have an impact on the vacant sites, as sewers increase the allowed density on anything sub-dividable. This ties into the zoning. For example, septic sites require 10,000 sf per home. With sewers a 10,000 sf site can be sub-divided into 4 25 x 100 lots (4 semi-detached homes on 25 foot wide lots). It all depends on zoning and building regs in your area. It has no impact on existing homes, unless, an exsting structure is being demolished to obtain a vacant and buildable site (this happens all the time in my area). When
sewers are installed here land values double.

 

[xmrdfghap]

Just a minor comment as I agree most home owners (and LO's) are only concerned about having waste disposal.....not how it is disposed of.

In providing a VERY subjective opinion, if I were a home owner with a EPA compliant septic system and I was approached to pay for a connection and pay for a monthly service charge I would politely (the first time) decline.

Also, in Wisconsin this past year I saw a lot of mound systems (my first experience with them) and after seeing the cost of building them, I would NOT give one up after paying to have it built. Unless the law is changed to require a sewer connection I would not consider connecting to the sewer.

 

[Farm Gal]

Greg:

Educate me: what is a mound system? never heard of one!

Thanks,
Lee Ann

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Hey Lee Ann!

A 'mound' septic system is put in when the water table is high. The drain field needs to be above the water table so they are built up in a mound above ground level. Kind of ugly. Most new systems in Florida are in a mound because most of Florida is barely above sea level. Tough choice on whether to have it in the front yard or the back yard. Of course, the neighbors well could take that choice away. These mound systems are more expensive due to the amount of dirt necessary to build it up. This makes it real easy to know whether the newer areas/subdivision has septic systems or sewer. Not always correct but, most often is.

 

[xmrdfghap]

Lee Ann
Having come from New Mexico and Oklahoma where I have seen water tables as low as 800 feet, I thought they were strange as well. But apparently they have been cleared with the EPA and state environmental agencies.

But they are peretty expensive, like Pam said, due to the amount of permiable soil brought in, shaped, then lateral lines and such are put in place. In Wisconsin mounds frequently ran around $10-14,000....a REAL shock when in Oklahoma, you can get a septic put in for $1,500 ($2,500 for a rocky lot).

 

[Farm Gal]

Pam:
Thanks and WOW!!! Far as I knew if you didn't pass perk, or the table was too high you had to get real creative or haul the sludge 8O
Best of my knowlege that sort of system would be a big no-no anyplace I have ever worked!

Has anyone ever heard of one of those things clearing a California building department??? (This is more than idle curiosity :twisted: )

Thanks!
Lee Ann

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Lee Ann,

Yeah, I thought I knew a lot about septic systems until I arrived here in Florida and saw these. Michigan didn't have these! No idea about what California does.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

I work in California, and never heard of a mound system until about 1 minute ago. :!: Don't think I've ever seen one either. Septic is pretty common in some outlying areas. I guess our water table must not be too high. But hey, if there was no irrigation here, it would be an even bigger desert in So Cal.

 

[Terry McDaniel]

:lol: HEY HEY HEY!!! You guys stop talking about mound systems and all that stuff. This thread is about my problem, not yours!! .....just kidding, I should find the result today of my original problem and will relay them to the forum tonight. Thanks for all the help. TMc