Connecting Water and Sewer Line
Water Category Change is No Joke!
There’s a major development plan underway in my county, with large developers building houses left and right. To my surprise, I learned that it’s not the county or the sanitary commission that pays for and installs the sewer lines—it’s the development companies themselves.
Despite the influx of public water and sewer services to our area, connecting to these services as an existing property owner is almost impossible. The process, known as a “Category Change,” is incredibly complex and can take years. In my area, this process requires approval from the county council, which only meets twice a year. The preparation of documents requires specialized lawyers and is very costly.
Connecting to public water requires a detailed proposal, known as an “Application for Water and Sewer Plan Amendment.” This process is akin to a court case, with specialized attorneys preparing extensive documents to argue for the connection. Each department reviews the proposal and provides their opinions, culminating in a county council meeting for approval.
Was It Worth the Trouble?
In my case, I am grateful to Stanley Martin Homes for their assistance. However, the convenience of city water comes with trade-offs. I worry about future uncertainties, such as global warming’s impact on food and diseases. One of my project’s main goals was to prepare for such events, and having a well and septic system seemed preferable. Yet, the temptation of convenience was hard to resist, so I opted for city water.
Later, when I found out the cost of installing a water meter, I began to regret my choice and here is why.
Cost of connecting water and sewer.
| Description | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Category Change (Legal Fee) | $20,000 (about) | Paid for me by 3rd Party |
| Bring Sewer Line to Property | $30,000 (about) | Paid for me by 3rd Party |
| Bring Water Line to Property | $10,000 (about) | Paid for me by 3rd Party |
| Permit & Service Fees | $11,000 (about) | Connecting water meter, Permit for Upto 4 Toilets |
| Plumber Meter Connection | $1,000 (my guess) | The work must be done by licensed plumber and plumber can apply permit only. |
| Plumber Labor to Connect to House | $3,000 (my guess) | The work must be done by licensed plumber and plumber can apply permit only. |
| TOTAL CONNECTION FEE | $75,000 (about) |
You can decide for yourself if these outrageous fees are worth it for water and sewer services. All my neighbors have wells and septic systems, and they couldn’t believe these numbers when I mentioned them. I understand the cost of infrastructure—after all, that’s why we pay taxes, right? But now we’re expected to pay even more in the form of additional fees? It just doesn’t seem right.