Septic systems: the less expensive way to go!
In Yavapai County, several of our communities are reaching the age and time where homeowners are encouraged to look into the option of hooking up to city municipalities for wastewater disposal. For that reason, amongst others, many of our customers ask us, “is city sewer the way to go??” The answer isn’t always easy, but generally speaking, from a long-term cost perspective, remaining on existing septic systems is often cheaper than connecting to and using a city sewer system for a few key reasons—especially in rural or less densely developed areas.
First and foremost, there’s the upfront cost structure. Installing a septic system does require an initial investment (a new tank, newly installed or repaired drain field, permits, labor, to name a few), but once it’s in place, you own the system outright. In contrast, connecting to a municipal sewer line can involve significant hookup, impact or “tap” fees, which are often several thousand dollars. If the nearest sewer line is far away, the cost to extend or access it can rise dramatically. All this being said, most properties in rural areas who are in this position are on existing septic systems that do not require the initial installation fees associated with a brand-new system.
Second, ongoing monthly costs are typically lower with septic systems. Homeowners with septic systems don’t pay monthly sewer bills. City sewer users, on the other hand, are charged continuously—usually based on water usage—meaning the total cost adds up over time. Over decades, those monthly fees can exceed the cost of installing and maintaining a septic system.
Third, maintenance is relatively predictable and infrequent for septic systems. Pumping the tank every 3–5 years and an annual filter clean or maintenance check up, are usually the main expenses. While repairs can be costly if something goes wrong, proper care keeps those risks fairly low. City sewer systems shift maintenance responsibility to the municipality, but that cost is built into your recurring fees and taxes.
Finally, property location plays a big role. In rural areas such as Yavapai County, sewer infrastructure often doesn’t exist, so installing a septic system is the only practical—and therefore cheapest—option. Even in suburban settings, if sewer access isn’t already available at the property line, septic can be more economical. Again, many existing parcels have a system previously installed; systems are designed to last well over 30 years before major repairs are necessary due to drain field saturation or otherwise.
Septic systems aren’t always cheaper in every situation. In dense urban areas where sewer lines are already in place and heavily subsidized, the cost difference may shrink or even reverse. But in many cases—especially outside cities—septic systems win on long-term cost.
Scenario a: Rural homeowner in Arizona with existing system (20-year period):
Option 1: City Sewer (if available nearby)
Initial hookup (tap/impact fee + connection): $7,500
Average monthly sewer bill: $60/month (fairly typical for small Arizona towns)
20-year cost:
Monthly bills: $60 × 12 × 20 = $14,400
hookup fee: $7,500
Total: $21,900
Option 2: existing Septic System
$0 installation fee
Maintenance:
Pumping every 4 years: ~$800 × 5 times = $4,000
Occasional minor maintenance: ~$1,000 total over 20 years
20-year cost:
Installation: $0
Maintenance: ~$5,000
Total: $5,000
Monthly Cost Breakdown:
Sewer:
$21,900 ÷ 240 months ≈ $91.25/monthSeptic:
$5,000 ÷ 240 months ≈ $20.83/month
Key Takeaway:
In this scenario, the septic system saves about $70.42 per month on average, or roughly $16,900 over 20 years.
Why this difference exists:
Sewer bills never stop—they’re a permanent utility expense.
Septic systems front-load the cost (if installation is required) but have very low ongoing expenses.
Rural Arizona often has higher hookup costs because infrastructure is sparse.
Reality check:
This isn’t a universal rule. If:
Sewer hookup is already installed, or
Monthly sewer rates are unusually low
…then the gap shrinks. But in many rural Arizona situations, septic comes out noticeably cheaper over time.