Septic to Sewer

There can be four major costs in converting from a septic system to sewer service: the public sewer infrastructure, side sewer construction, septic system abandonment and connection fees. The estimates shown are approximate costs for connection in 2018, and should be adjusted accordingly for later years.

There are various loan and grant programs available with differing requirements. Learn more about each below.

• Owner-Occupant Rehab Program 
• Investor Owned Rehab Program
• Clean Water Loans through Craft3 

Connection is generally voluntary. However, if your septic system fails or if you plan to expand your home beyond the septic system capacity, the City will require you to connect to the sewer if your property is within 200 feet of an available sewer. The City does not plan to make the conversion of properly functioning septic systems to the public sewer system mandatory. That may change if recovery plans developed by the State of Washington identify the conversion of septic systems as a required action to clean up impaired water bodies within the City of Olympia.

• It may be required. If your septic system fails or if you plan to expand your home beyond the septic system capacity, the City will require you to connect to the sewer if your property is within 200 feet of an available sewer.
• Environmental considerations. Even well-maintained septic systems put more stress on the environment, especially in urban areas. Failing septic systems pose a risk to surface water, groundwater and public health.
• Expansion options. A septic system may limit the ability to expand your house or build over portions of your property.

Once connected to the public sewer system, a property owner is required to pay a monthly sewer utility bill. This bill covers the operation and maintenance costs for collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater, and renovation of the sewers and wastewater treatment facilities. The 2018 sewer rate is $51.93 - $60.11 per month. Sewer rates are set by City Council and the LOTT Cleanwater Alliance annually. State law requires customers to be notified in advance of future increases and allowed an opportunity to be heard and protest.

More than 600 properties currently served by septic systems are adjacent to and eligible to connect to a public sewer. You can reference this Sewer Lookup Map to see if sewer service may be available in your neighborhood.

To determine the actual availability, restrictions, and requirements for connection to the sewer contact Wastewater Utility staff at 360.753.8562 or publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us

When an existing public sewer is available, or a new sewer extension has been constructed, follow the steps in the appropriate guide below to connect to the public sewer.

• Gravity Sewer Service Connection 
• Grinder Pump Sewer Service Connection
• STEP Sewer Service Connection 

If you are not sure which type of service applies to you, please contact Wastewater Utility Staff at 360.753.8562 or publicworks@ci.olympia.wa.us

• Waiver of the City Wastewater General Facilities Charge (GFC): This incentive is intended to motivate the owners of properties where the sewer is currently available as well as properties benefiting from sewer extension projects. The City’s GFC ($3,442 in 2018) will be waived for properties that abandon a septic system and connect to public sewer within a 2-year time period following formal notification of sewer availability. The City will notify property owners by mail when the sewer becomes available. If you know that the sewer is currently available to your property, there is no need to wait for notice from the City to benefit from the GFC waiver. The GFC will also be waived if you have owned your property less than two years. However, new property owners will NOT be notified of the waiver by the City. Finally, if the property qualifies for a LOTT capacity development charge rebate (see below), it will also be granted a GFC waiver.
• Rebate for the LOTT Capacity Development Charge (CDC): This incentive is offered as part of the Septic Conversion Incentive Pilot Program from the LOTT Cleanwater Alliance. The usual rebate amount is 50% ($2,905 in 2018) with an additional 25% ($1,453) available to property owners who meet the criteria for hardship status. This is a temporary pilot program for 2017 and 2018. Funding is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Wastewater Staff at 360.753.8562 to obtain application materials.

The City has funding available to construct a limited number of neighborhood sewer extension projects. Property owners who choose to connect with a new sewer project will be required to reimburse the City a portion of the cost of constructing the sewer infrastructure.

See the Neighborhood Sewer Extension flyer for more information.

Most public sewer mains can be designed and completed within a year. If significant street repaving is involved, that work may be delayed until the weather is warm enough to allow the paving materials to be installed properly.

In urgent situations (e.g. septic failure), a public sewer can be designed and constructed in less than three months.

A property’s side sewer should connect to the sewer main in the street on which the property fronts. To facilitate the orderly extension of sewer mains, a side sewer may not extend across an adjacent property to connect to a sewer main. There are some extraordinary circumstances, particularly where sewer mains are located within easements and not the right-of-way, in which side sewers may be permitted to be installed within easements across adjacent properties.

Maintenance is key to preventing the failure of your septic system. If your system has been properly designed, sited, and installed, the rest is up to you. Pump regularly, avoid excess water use, and watch what you put down the drain and flush down the toilet. For more operations and maintenance tips, visit the Thurston County Environmental Health Program's website at www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehoss/.

Signs of a failing septic system may include slow draining toilets and drains, an odor of sewage, and wet areas on or near the drain field.