How Much Does It Cost To Connect To Public Sewer?

Last Updated on September 25, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Accessing a public sewer system can offer advantages over septic systems, but carries a significant price tag. What exactly is involved financially for a homeowner to connect their residence into municipal sewage lines?

In this guide, we’ll examine the full range of costs to tap into public sewer based on required permits, excavation scope, equipment, local utility fees, and other factors. We’ll outline all necessary steps, provide cost examples from major metro areas, and give tips for minimizing expenses.

Connecting to public sewer lines requires careful planning and budgeting, but can improve property value while avoiding the risks and future costs of septic system maintenance and failures.

How Much Does It Cost To Connect To Public Sewer?

Total costs to connect to public sewer often range from $10,000 to $40,000+.

Major expenses involved with tying into public sewer:

• Municipal tap fees to access main sewer lines – $500 to $5,000
• Connection, excavation and plumbing permitting – $250 to $750
• Sewer lateral line excavation and restoration – $4,000 to $12,000
• Sewer connection piping – $1,000 to $4,000
• Decommissioning and disposal of existing septic tanks – $2,000 to $5,000
• Repaving or landscaping restoration – $1,500 to $10,000
• Plumbing modifications – $1,500 to $5,000

According to Franconia Township, recent installations for connecting to public sewer have ranged from $15,000 to $18,500, which includes the costs associated with the sewer main and equivalent dwelling units (EDUs). However, this does not include the additional costs for the lateral connection from the home to the sewer main, which can add another $8,000 to $15,000 depending on various factors such as distance and obstacles.

In Barnstable, Massachusetts, Barnstable Water Resources notes that property owners are responsible for the costs associated with connecting their property to the public sewer system.

While specific connection costs are not detailed, they recommend obtaining multiple bids from qualified installers to get an accurate estimate. Additionally, property owners should anticipate ongoing sewer service user fees based on their water usage, which averages around $435 annually.

HomeAdvisor provides a general overview of costs associated with connecting to public sewers but does not specify exact figures. They emphasize that installation costs can vary widely based on local market conditions and specific project requirements.

According to Premier Drainage Solutions, new sewer connection costs can be complex due to various factors including the length and depth of the sewer line needed. They suggest that typical costs for new connections can start at around $1,000, but this is highly variable based on site-specific conditions.

Public Sewer Connection Process

Connecting to a public sewer system first requires:

• Checking municipal availability and eligibility
• Applying for needed permits – sewer connection, excavation, plumbing
• Hiring a licensed contractor
• Trenching from home to sewer main access point
• Installing connection piping and decommissioning any septic tank
• Final inspections before starting use

Each phase comes at a price.

Factors Impacting Connection Costs

Several factors influence public sewer connection pricing:

• Total trenching distance required from the home to main line
• Difficulty based on soils, landscaping, or other utilities
• Diameter of connection line needed
• Complexity of septic tank removal
• Street, driveway, or landscaping restoration needs
• Local municipal utility permit, tap, and capacity fee structure
• Contractor equipment sizing and expertise

Evaluating these elements generates the most accurate cost estimates.

Excavation Needs and Costs

One major cost driver is trenching from the home to the municipal sewer pipe:

Main determinants of excavation costs:

• Total linear footage of trenching required – $50 to $200 per foot
• Soil composition – clay, rock, roots increase difficulty
• Open trenching vs. trenchless line installation methods
• Surface restoration needs – simple backfill vs. replaced landscaping
• Dewatering requirements if high groundwater is encountered
• Shoring needs for deep trenches in unstable soils

Assessing site and soil conditions provides the most precise excavation cost outlook.

Public Sewer Connection Costs

You might also like our articles about the cost of septic systems, land subdivisions, or water leak repairs.

For a typical gravity lateral connection:

• Within 25 feet – $7,000 to $12,000
• 25 to 50 feet – $10,000 to $18,000
• 50 to 100 feet – $15,000 to $28,000
• Over 100 feet – $25,000+

However, expenses ultimately depend on all the cost factors and municipal utility fees unique to your area.

Connection Costs in Major Cities

To illustrate geographic pricing variances, average costs in some major metro areas are:

City	Average Cost Range (USD)
New York City	$15,000 to $30,000
Los Angeles	$10,000 to $25,000
Dallas	$8,000 to $18,000
Seattle	$12,000 to $24,000
Miami	$10,000 to $22,000
Detroit	$6,000 to $15,000
Denver	$8,000 to $20,000

Local labor, materials, permitting, and municipal sewer fees drive location-based cost differences.

Reduce Public Sewer Connection Costs

Ways homeowners may minimize expenses:

• Have multiple contractors bid to find best pricing
• Explore municipal first-time user fee reductions or waivers
• Ask about qualified low-income financial assistance programs
• Time the project during lower demand winter months
• Use trenchless technologies like pipe bursting where suitable
• Share trenching with neighbors connecting at the same time
• Opt for basic surface restoration if feasible

Looking at all options delivers potential savings.

Special Equipment Needs

Unique site factors leading to higher connection costs:

• Deep burial of municipal main lines necessitating deeper trenching
• Dewatering equipment to control high groundwater flow into trenches
• Specialized rock trenching equipment if hard bedrock is encountered
• Directionally drilled pipe installations to avoid obstructions
• Pumps to convey sewage uphill to gravity main lines at higher elevations
• Roadway pavers and compactors to restore public roadway surfaces

Be ready for additional expenses if complex equipment is required.

Closure of Existing Septic Systems

For homes switching from septic tanks, additional steps include:

• Safely pumping out all sewage from septic tanks and lines
• Formally decommissioning tanks by collapsing interior walls or filling with stones
• Removing and disposing tanks if required by local codes
• Disconnecting and capping leach field piping distribution lines
• Correctly backfilling empty tanks once abandoned

Proper procedures protect homes, health, and the environment.

DIY Public Sewer Connections

Cautionary DIY Considerations:

• Acquiring necessary trenching and plumbing experience
• Gaining municipal approval for self-managed installations
• Securing specialized equipment for rent or purchase
• Handling sewer line testing, disinfection, and activation
• Managing restoration of disturbed surfaces like roadways
• Assuming legal liability for problems or violations

Benefits of Hiring Professional Contractors:

• Ensures compliant permitting and execution
• Provides all specialized equipment
• Optimizes workflow and cost-efficiency
• Carries insurance and bonding
• Offers warranties and assumes legal liability

Unless highly experienced, DIY sewer connections carry substantial risks best avoided.

Payment Plans and Financing Options

If costs pose financial hardship, flexible financing options include:

• Municipal payment plans allowing installment payments over 6-12 months
• Cash-out mortgage refinancing or home equity loans/lines
• Low-interest credit cards with 0% APR introductory periods
• Personal installment loans amortized over multiple years
• Government subsidized programs or grants in some locations

Seek the most affordable financing terms through research and comparison.

Timing Your Connection Project

Ideal timing can deliver significant savings:

• Schedule non-emergency projects for winter when demand is lower
• Coordinate with neighbors connecting at the same time to share equipment rentals
• Request contractors provide last-minute discount bids to fill schedule gaps
• Have projects “shovel ready” to take advantage of short-notice government incentive programs when announced

Advance planning allows taking advantage of any savings opportunities.

Why Connect to Public Sewer?

Benefits of municipal sewer access:

• Avoid risks and future costs from septic system failures
• Prevent groundwater contamination from septic effluent
• Increase home value by offering a municipal utility connection
• Provide greater wastewater capacity for home additions or expansions
• Reduce maintenance needs compared with private septic upkeep
• Achieve potential utility cost savings depending on local rates
• Enhance neighborhood curb appeal and desirability for buyers

Weigh all factors when considering connecting.

Final Words

While costs vary based on project scope, municipal fees, and regional labor rates, connecting a home to public sewer typically ranges from $10,000 to $30,000+. Obtain multiple bids and leave no assumptions unvalidated before undertaking your sewer connection project.

Though not inexpensive, public sewer access allows avoiding the perpetual risks, headaches, and future expenses associated with septic systems.

Answers to Common Questions

Do you need permission to connect to a public sewer?

Yes, municipalities require obtaining proper permits before connecting to public sewer lines. Unauthorized connections can result in fines. Homeowners must demonstrate compliance with all codes and installation procedures.

How much does it cost to convert septic to sewer in NJ?

For New Jersey homeowners, costs to decommission a septic system and connect to public sewer often range from $8,000 to $15,000 on average. However, expenses vary based on site-specific factors like lateral line distance and complexity. Always obtain multiple bids.

What is an indirect connection to a public sewer?

An indirect public sewer connection pipes sewage to an intermediary holding tank that is then pumped and conveyed to the municipal sewer line. This allows connecting properties at lower elevations that can’t gravity feed sewage downhill. Indirect connections incur additional costs for the holding tank and pumping equipment.