Most homes in the Lower Mainland's cities are connected to a municipal sewer, but plenty of houses on larger or rural lots, in parts of Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, South Surrey and Delta among others, are on a private septic system. If you've just bought a house, it's worth knowing which you have before something backs up.
Five ways to find out
- Your utility bill or property tax notice: a sewer charge or sewer levy usually means you're connected to the municipal sewer. No sewer charge is a hint you may be on septic.
- Property records: the home inspection report, sale documents or permit records often say. A septic system will usually have filing records for its installation.
- The yard: look for a tank lid, risers or inspection ports, often a few metres from the house, and a drain field area where the grass may grow differently.
- The basement plumbing: follow the main drain. A sewer connection usually has a cleanout leading toward the street; a septic system's line heads toward the yard.
- Ask: your municipality can tell you whether your address is connected to its sewer.
Why it matters
- Maintenance: a septic tank needs regular pumping and checks; a sewer connection doesn't, though the line from your house to the city main is still yours to look after.
- Backups: on septic, a backup may mean a full tank, a failed pump or a struggling drain field. On sewer, it usually means a blocked or broken line, or the city main backing up.
- What you put down the drain matters more on septic: grease, wipes and harsh chemicals hurt the tank and field.
- Renovations and additions may have different rules depending on which you have.
If you're on septic
Find out when the tank was last pumped, where the lids are and whether there's a pump or alarm. Our guides on how often to pump a septic tank and septic warning signs cover the basics, and we provide septic pumping, inspections and repairs.
If you're on sewer
The pipe from your house to the property line is usually the owner's responsibility. Slow drains throughout the house or a backup at the floor drain point to that line; a camera inspection shows what's going on, and sewer line repair covers what we find.
Common questions
Can a house be connected to the sewer later?
Sometimes, where a municipal sewer main runs nearby and the municipality allows the connection. Your municipality can tell you whether it's possible for your property.
Does a septic system affect buying a home?
It's common to have the system inspected before buying, so you know its condition, when it was last pumped and how old the components are.
Who can I call for either?
A plumber answers (604) 870-1442 24/7, and every job starts with a free estimate.