When you’re looking at homes in the Inland Empire, you’ll notice that some properties are connected to a municipal sewer line, while others—especially those with more land—rely on a private septic well and system.

If you’ve never owned a home with a septic tank, you might be wondering: Is one better than the other? At Davis Plumbing, we help homeowners navigate both. Here is the breakdown of the septic definition vs. the city sewer.

1. Ownership and Responsibility

The biggest difference is who is in charge.

• City Sewer: The municipality owns and maintains the main lines. You pay a monthly bill for this service.

• Septic System: You own the “treatment plant” in your yard. There is no monthly bill, but you are responsible for the septic system maintenance and pumping.

2. Monthly Costs vs. Long-Term Savings

A city sewer line comes with a recurring monthly fee that can add up to thousands of dollars over a decade. A septic system, however, has zero monthly costs. Your only regular expense is a septic pump every 3 to 5 years, which usually costs much less than a year’s worth of sewer bills.

3. Environmental Impact

Many people find the septic meaning to be synonymous with “green living.” Because septic systems treat wastewater naturally on your property and return it to the local water table, they are often considered more environmentally friendly than large-scale municipal treatment plants.

4. What Happens During a Failure?

If a city sewer line breaks under the street, the city fixes it. If your septic system fails—perhaps because of a clogged septic riser or a damaged drain field—the repair falls on the homeowner. This is why regular inspections are so vital.

Which one do you have?

If you aren’t sure where your waste goes or if it’s been years since your last septic service near me, give us a call. We can help you locate your tank, inspect your lines, and ensure your system is healthy.

Call Davis Plumbing at (951) 657-0393 for expert septic and sewer services.