Is This House on a Septic or a Sewer System? Let's Flush Out the Pros and Cons

If you were buying a home that had a septic system, you might want to make sure that you have an inspection done on the system before you purchase that home. The type of persons allowed to perform this inspection are: master septic tank contractors, registered septic tank contractors, state-licensed plumbers and persons certified under section 381.0101,F.S. A professional building inspector may not have the qualifications. So, make sure you ask before hiring one.

I have had experience with both, septic and sewer systems. They both have their pros and cons. So, now let's explore which might be better.

The Pros

There is no monthly cost for owning a septic system, unlike a sewer system.

With a sewer system, you don't have to worry about maintenance or any repairs.

One good thing about being on sewer, it's better for the environment. The waste water drains into the local government waste water plant where it is properly treated and is returned to the environment through reclaimed water.

The Cons

You need to do a monthly maintenance with your Septic system by using a product like Rid-Ex. Rid Ex keeps the bacteria alive in your system.

It is suggested that septic systems be pumped out on a recommended period between 3-5 years. If you forget to do this, you could experience some major problems like an overflowing of your drain field or plumbing backflow. If you haven't smelled back up waste water before, well, let's just say, you don't want to.

With a septic system, if your laundry water flows directly into the same drain field, the detergent compound can kill the necessary bacteria that are needed for decomposing of the waste material.

When you have a septic system, you never want to park or wash your car and plant shrubbery on the drain field. Otherwise, you risk damaging the drain field.
The sewer system has an extra monthly cost which is sometimes added to your water bill.

If a sewer line failure happens, it can be catastrophic compared to a septic failure. However, those are rare occasions.

In conclusion, you can live with both. Nevertheless, it really is a "hands down" win with a sewer system; even if you do have to pay a monthly cost for the service. The benefits outweigh the cost.

Source: Bureau of Onsite Sewage Programs