Sewers

I have a septic system and i am being charged for sewer. Is this right?

Public Comments

1. Probably. I've lived in two homes where that was the case. Sewer is often a tax assessment paid over a period of time, and whether you or the prior owner did not hook up when it became available for your home is irrelevant. Check with your town hall, however, just to make sure this isn't an oversight.
2. If you can hook up to the sewer line, you will be charged a sewer tax, whether you are hooked up or not. If there is no sewer line near you, then you probably can file for an exemption.
3. No it is not. Sewer bills are usually based on your water bill with the idea that most of the water you use ends up in the sewer one way or another. A call to your sewer company should straighten it out. In my community, the sewer bill is part of the water bill.
4. Not unless some part of your house is connected to the sewer system. Some homes use a septic system for the toilits and the kitchen and laundry are connected to the sewer. This keeps the septic tank from overfilling and backing up to soon.
5. Call City Hall's Inspection Dept. and talk with an inspector. Don't be shy, your taxes pay for these services.
6. I agree with Suzie Cutes. I worked for the Water Division in Ohio. Once sewer service becomes available for an area, sewer charges can be assessed. Even if you don't tie into it. If you have City Water, the sewer rate is based on your usage. If you maintain a well, the amount is calculated.
7. NO. Notify the city, you can not be charged for what you do not have. Sewer prices are usually double the water bill, so you are being billed on a non existant service. We had to notify our city that we have a septic system and are not on the sewer line- it saves a ton of money.
8. Is this right? NO! Can you change or fight it? Probably not. The others are right, you will be assessed charges whether you use the sewer or not. If you are forced to pay it, then connect up to it and use it. That way they have to fix it if something goes wrong [outside of your home, not inside of course]. If your septic fails, you're on the hook for repairs, which usually means digging and big $.
9. Some cities lump sewer & water charges together..contact your utilities office..