I am often surprised when I hear of homeowners complaining about paying for periodic septic service. You might hear these complaints occasionally when you show up to pump a tank.
A recent news account out of Pennsylvania featured a homeowner bemoaning the bill for $140 every three years to service her septic tank. In a newspaper story, she voiced frustration because she hasn’t been able to hook up to the municipal sewer line that comes within a half-mile of her home.
Whoa. Did I read that right? Has this homeowner stopped to do the math? Before she complains about paying what amounts to less than $50 per year to maintain her septic system, the homeowner should calculate her projected costs to be connected to the Big Pipe. First of all, there will be the hookup fee for the sewer line. Then she will receive a bill in the mail – probably on a quarterly basis – for her share of the community sewage treatment
Based on my own experience paying a sewer bill, I expect the complaining homeowner’s cost for sewage treatment will rise substantially when she gets her wish and connects to the municipal system
Sure, there are instances when it makes sense for homeowners to connect to the municipal system. And often it’s required when a system expands. Abandoning a septic system is sometimes inevitable. But septic system users should be encouraged to compare their pumping and maintenance costs to what they would pay for city sewer service. They might find out that tried-and-true onsite system offers a good value.
How do you handle it when homeowners complain about septic system maintenance costs? Do you educate them on the value proposition offered by septic systems? Share your story right here. Or drop me an email at editor@pumper.com.
#1 from .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 25, 2012
Good Evening!!
Great article! I stole it and posted it on our facebook page!
You are so right. We have townships that are now implementing the onlot sewage management program with mandated pumpings. I am often on the front line of the complaints when homeowners call us to make an appointment and are so angry with the township and the SEO’s. I always take the opportunity to try and educate them on why these pumping’s can save them money in the long run….big money compared to a new drain field, sand mound, holding tank or even worse….public sewer. Just as you stated, call your friend on public sewer and find out what that costs. And I also like to remind them about the value to their yard/flowers/gardens of the recharge of water to the ground. Especially since we are in the Chesapeake Bay, people are starting to understand the harm that sending all that wastewater down the big pipe thru the sewer plant, to the treatment plant and eventually into the bay can cause. And usually by the time we are off the phone, they are thanking me and aren’t mad at the township either!
Keep up the good work! Love all your articles!!!!!! Susan Miller Dale Miller & Son, Inc. Fawn Grove Pa.
P. S. I copied the last one also!!!!