Sewer Vs. Septic, Which is Better?

Though most people choose the city sewage system over a septic system, some of you probably wonder which one is better. Is one cheaper than the other? Which one is more environmentally friendly? We’re going to answer these and other questions in this article.

As far as the environment goes, surprisingly, the two are basically the same. Both of them take the waste water from our toilets and drains and use microorganisms to clear out the bacteria and other disease causing or carrying things from the water. After the water is cleaned it’s released back into the system.

The main reason most people choose a public system over a private septic system is the burden of upkeep. It’s a non-stop job keeping a septic system up and running. When you opt for the shared sewage option you don’t have to care for the system at all. The government ensures that the water is always clean, that things continue to run smoothly, and they maintain the system that cleans and treats the water. Plus, another bonus is that the aforementioned treatment facility isn’t right behind your house. Anyone who has experienced a septic tank backup can tell you that having the whole thing far away is much better. If the system is far away, as it is when you use public sanitation, when the system breaks down you won’t end up with a flooded basement, flooded yard, or worse.

Financially, once again, the upkeep of a septic system makes it more expensive. Instead of paying one small fee for the city to handle your sewage you have to pay for repairs, maintenance, and a whole slew of other things like chemicals and possibly large amounts of money if you have a backup or break down. Taking the shared sewer route is much cheaper in the long run, (and sometimes in the short as well.)

Lastly, many people who do have septic systems don’t take care of them properly or as much as they should. This not only leads to problems for them, but problems for a lot of the people around them as well. When septic systems aren’t taken care of properly they could backup or even break down. When these things happen the possibility of sewage coming out of the system and into the ground outside the home is high. The waste and bacteria in the water that leaks out during that time is severely damaging to the environment. In fact, it could permanently damage the area leaving “dead zones” in the grass and soil where things can’t thrive or grow. You could even end up with a flooded basement due to a damaged septic tank, and that’s something nobody wants.

Overall, I’d say a regular city sewer is your best option all around. There’s no upkeep, it’s cheaper, and it keeps the waste and bacteria far away from you and your family. However, if you do go the septic system route, please take care of it for your sake and everyone else’s around you. Nobody wants to witness waste flooding someone’s back yard, and I’m sure you don’t want that either.

If you do choose a septic system, make sure it it’s taken care of and maintained regularly. It will save both you and your family a lot of headaches. If you’re looking for good septic tank products, look at what Roto-Rooter has to offer.