Frequently Asked Questions

BJWSA signed an agreement with HomeServe USA in 2015 to offer optional protection plans for customers' home exterior water and sewer service lines.

Customer information was never provided to HomeServe nor are customer rates impacted by the agreement. The Authority only provided zip codes within the service area to HomeServe. This is in line with BJWSA's mission, which is to inspire trust and enhance public health.

In exchange for a set-up fee and a 12% commission on any service plans sold, the Authority gave HomeServe USA the right to use the BJWSA logo on mailed advertisements. The set-up fee and monthly commission payments are placed in a hardship fund to assist needy customers with extenuating circumstances who could be in danger of disconnection of their water and/or sewer services. The United Way of Beaufort County administers the fund. Learn more on our "Helping People in Need" page.

For questions about HomeServe or the Hardship Fund, please contact BJWSA at 843-987-9200.

If there is a plumbing emergency, you should shut off your water at the main water valve to protect against water leaks and damage to your home.

The most likely locations for your main water valve are:

• Where the water supply pipe enters your home
• Beside the water meter, on the "customer side"

If you cannot find a shut off valve, you should have one installed as soon as possible, before you have a plumbing emergency. Call a plumber if you are unable to make the installation yourself. If you need your water turned off to install a shutoff valve, please call our Customer Service Department at 843-987-9200 to have that scheduled.

Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) works closely with the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) as well as with local fire departments to ensure both water quality and fire safety.

Every hydrant within the BJWSA service area is flushed annually. Hydrant flushing is necessary to test the hydrants to make sure adequate flow and pressure are available for fire emergencies. Flushing is also done to help maintain water quality in the distribution system. The quality issue could be either a taste, color, or odor complaint. We also monitor disinfection residual and at times have to flush to increase this.

It may seem as if there is a significant amount of water that is wasted, or that is going into local storm sewers or waterways. The impact of this water is substantially less than the average rain event.

Information regarding hydrant flushing can be obtained by calling 843-987-9200.

Backflow prevention devices are installed with customer water meters to prevent any foreign chemicals or substances within the customer's property from back-siphoning into our regional water system.

"Cross-connection" means any actual or potential connection or structural arrangement between a public water supply and any other source or system through which it is possible to introduce into any part of the potable system any used water, industrial fluid, gas or substance other than the intended potable water with which the system is supplied. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeover devices and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow can or may occur are considered cross-connections.

Backflow or back-siphonage can happen accidentally through a cross connection, where a pipe or hose that contains polluted water is connected to the water supply pipeline. If the water system loses pressure, harmful pollution can seep backward into the water system. Backflow from a yard irrigation system could accidentally contaminate our precious drinking water supply with pesticides, fertilizers and other potentially harmful chemicals.

To customers with irrigation systems:

An irrigation system with a chemical injection requires a special valve to keep the chemical from getting into the drinking water system. This valve is called a backflow preventer. BJWSA policy and S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) regulations require a reduced pressure device on any irrigation chemical injection system. It does not matter what kind of chemical is being added: pesticides or insecticides, even if they are all-natural or organic. The reduced pressure device must be tested every year to ensure functionality.

These backflow devices protect all of us from cross connections, or contamination from chemical injection systems. The devices are required for fire suppression systems, commercial irrigation, and other hazards.

For more information, visit the SCDES "Cross Connection Control and Backflow Prevention" page.

View our Cross Connection Policy (PDF).

A little grease can cause big problems! Fats, oils and greases are not just bad for your arteries and your waistline; they are bad for sewers, too. When washed down the sink, grease sticks to the insides of sewer pipes on your property and the pipelines under the street. Over time, it can build up, harden into a plug and block an entire pipe, causing sewer overflows and backups.

Home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the plumbing system. Products such as detergents that claim to dissolve grease may pass the grease down the pipeline and cause problems elsewhere.

Never Put Grease Down the Drain

Scrape grease and food scraps into a can or the trash for disposal (or recycling where available).

Whenever you have a greasy pan to wash, wipe it out after use (while it is still warm, not hot) with newspaper or paper towels. Put baskets/strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids, and then empty them in the trash. Encourage your friends and neighbors to keep grease out of drain.

Trash in the Toilet Can Cause Big Problems Too

While trash such as baby diapers, plastics and even cigarette filters and chewing gum may seem to disappear when flushed down the toilet, they can form a messy mass and clog your plumbing system and BJWSA pipelines. The result? Sewage back-ups that can be unhealthy for you and the environment.

The toilet is not a trashcan - never flush down anything but toilet paper.

That "pink stuff" that you may be seeing around your sink drains or in your toilets is naturally occurring airborne bacteria that has nothing to do with the quality of your water. Once airborne, these bacteria seek moist environments to grow.

Always keep bathtubs and sinks wiped down and dry. Frequently clean your sinks with a cleaning solution that contains chlorine. Three to five tablespoons of chlorine bleach can be periodically stirred into the toilet tank and flushed into the bowl itself. Cleaning and flushing with chlorine may not eliminate the problem, but will help control the bacteria growth. If you have a septic tank, use a non-chlorine cleaner, such as borax to avoid damaging your septic system.

Important! Be sure to follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions for your plumbing fixtures and countertops; chlorine cannot be used with some designer products. Use care with abrasives to avoid scratching fixtures, which will make them even more susceptible to bacteria.

Our water treatment process uses chloramines for disinfection. Chloramines, like chlorine, must be removed from water that goes into fish tanks. Pet stores can provide aquarium owners with a dechloraminating chemical or granular activated carbon filter to remove chloramines effectively from fish tanks.

Federal regulators believe that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.  Research into human exposure and health impacts of PFAS is still being conducted.

The EPA set maximum limits in public drinking water for six compounds called PFAS (Pee-Fas) or “forever chemicals.”  

The compounds will have numeric limits: 

• PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion (ppt), 
• PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX at 10 parts per trillion,
• There is also a hazard index, a calculated ratio, for a mixture of four compounds: PFNA, PFHxS, GenX, and PFBS.

 For perspective, one part per trillion is equal to one second in 32,000 years.  

These limits will go into effect in 5 years in order to give public water systems time to comply with the new regulation, which could include building additional treatment facilities.  In addition, public water systems must conduct monitoring for the regulated PFAS.

All public water systems must follow the new rules. The EPA estimates that between 4,100 and 6,700 systems will have to make treatment adjustments under the new rule at a collective cost of approximately $1.5 billion annually. 

BJWSA has proactively been monitoring for PFAS compounds for many years, and data is available on the website: PFAS Monitoring Results.

We have detected low levels for three of the regulated compounds at levels both above and below the new MCLs. The other regulated compounds were all below detectable levels. 

We are continuing to collect data. However, it is important to note the new levels are calculated based on lifetime exposure with significant levels of safety built in and therefore do not indicate an immediate health concern.

BJWSA is planning to install additional treatment to reduce PFAS levels below the new MCL and those technologies will be in use before the 2029 deadline.

There is no need for you to take any action. Alternative water sources are not necessary. There is no need to boil your water. 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. EPA estimates that drinking water represents 20 percent of American exposure to PFAS chemicals with 80 percent of exposure coming from food and food packaging, cookware, cosmetics and other sources.

You may choose to limit your exposure by taking the following steps:

• Avoid PFAS in food and food wrappers
• Don’t buy cosmetics, lotions or dental floss that contain PFAS
• Reduce the use of cookware and clothing with that contain PFAS coatings
• Read labels with PFAS in mind

The EPA has also produced a fact sheet about in-home water filters that you can find by clicking here.

BJWSA is continuing to collect samples and analyze test results.  At this time, we are also evaluating and planning for treatment expansions to be designed and constructed during the 5-year compliance window before the new limits go into effect. This will help ensure reduction of PFAS levels to below the new MCL.

We will add PFAS reporting results to our Consumer Confidence Report for water produced in 2024 and beyond.

You may visit our website for more information about PFAS here: Emerging Contaminants | BJWSA, SC

The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control and the USEPA provide reliable information about water.

Their websites are:

• Per– and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) | SCDES
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) | US EPA

Great News! If your property is located within the teal-shaded area of the map below, your property is included in the "Go2Sewer, for a Cleaner Stoney Creek" Project and is eligible for our incentive program! Click here for a list of eligible properties for this project. 

Property Owner Benefits

• Financial Savings: Avoiding the long-term costs associated with septic system maintenance and potential failure.
• Increased Property Value: Homes connected to sewer systems are often more appealing to buyers.
• Potential Reduced Insurance Rates: Some insurance companies offer discounts for homes that are considered lower risk due to improvements in infrastructure. Switching to a more reliable and efficient public utility could be viewed as such an improvement, making property owners eligible for these discounts.
• Peace of Mind: Eliminates the worry of septic system backup or failure.

Community and Environmental Benefits 

BJWSA complies with current environmental regulations, reducing the property owner’s liability for contamination that can occur with well/septic systems. Costs associated with legal fees, fines, and remediation of septic leaks or failures can be significant. By connecting through BJWSA’s “Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek” and our incentive programs, property owners transfer the responsibility to BJWSA, along with the associated risks and liabilities.

• Environmental Protection: Preserves local water quality and ecosystems.
• Public Health: Reduces the risk of waterborne diseases associated with septic system overflows. 

Health and Environmental Benefits

• Reduced Contamination: Sewer systems prevent contaminants found in wastewater from seeping into groundwater, rivers, and lakes, thereby reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and environmental pollution.
• Better Water Quality: By eliminating septic runoff, sewer systems contribute to cleaner and safer rivers, streams, and groundwater.
• Sustainability: Sewer systems are more sustainable in the long term, offering efficient wastewater treatment and reducing the likelihood of costly leaks and overflows that can occur with septic systems.

Economic and Practical Benefits

• Increased Property Values: Properties connected to a sewer system often have higher values because of the reduced risk of septic system failures.
• Lower Maintenance Costs: property owners save on the maintenance and potential replacement costs associated with septic systems, which can be substantial over time.
• Regulation & Compliance: Transitioning to sewer systems ensures compliance with current environmental regulations and community planning efforts, avoiding potential fines and legal issues.
• Potential Reduced Insurance Costs: Some insurance companies offer discounts for homes that are considered lower risk due to improvements in infrastructure. Switching to a more reliable and efficient municipal sewer system could be viewed as such an improvement, making property owners eligible for these discounts.
• Better Fire Emergency Response: Having sewer connections in your neighborhood provides closer access to fire hydrants, which will help fire departments in putting out potential fires faster. 

1. Incentive Program

Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek, property owners can save up to $44,000 in connection, construction, and application fees through early participation in our incentive program, which is time-sensitive.  Sign up before August 26, 2024.

2. Avoid Expensive and Surprise Septic System Repair Costs

Septic systems, especially older ones, are prone to failures and require expensive repairs or replacements. The cost of pumping, repairing, or replacing a septic tank, drain field, or other components can be substantial, easily reaching thousands of dollars. In some cases state regulations will prohibit replacing septic equipment. Once connected to centralized utilities, property owners no longer bear worry or financial burden of maintaining a septic system, which can lead to significant long-term savings. 

3. Predictable Monthly Costs

When you connect to BJWSA service, you will start receiving a monthly bill. While that sounds like an added cost, it is predictable. When your systems begin to fail, or need maintenance, it’s often a large and unexpected bill. They might break down without warning, and fixing or replacing them can really drain your wallet or be impossible under environmental regulations.

Here’s the good news: Switching to our services means you can stop worrying about big repair bills. Once you’re connected, all those system headaches and the costs that come with them are gone. This switch can save you some serious cash over time, making life a bit easier.

5. Environmental Compliance and Reduced Liability

BJWSA services comply with current environmental regulations, reducing the property owner’s liability for contamination that can occur with failing septic systems. Costs associated with legal fees, fines, and remediation of septic leaks or failures can be significant. By connecting through BJWSA’s Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek and our incentive program, property owners transfer the responsibility for wastewater treatment to us, along with the associated risks and liabilities.

6. Long-term Sustainability and Community Support

One of the goals of the Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek initiative is to help protect our watershed, including Stoney Creek and the downstream May River. Currently, leaky septic tanks are leeching waste into the watershed, threatening our community’s health, safety, economy, and ecosystem.  By taking part in our incentive programs, you are not only getting the long-term support of the team at BJWSA and saving thousands of dollars, but you are also helping to keep our waterways clean for families, wildlife, and recreational pursuits like fishing and kayaking! 

7. Potential Insurance Savings Can Include:

Reduced Liability Risks

• Septic Failures: Septic systems can fail, leading to potential groundwater contamination or property damage. This risk can increase liability premiums. Connecting to a sewer system eliminates the risk of septic failure, potentially lowering liability insurance costs.
• Environmental Cleanup: If a septic system leaks or overflows, property owners may be liable for the cleanup of any environmental contamination. This risk can also affect insurance premiums. By eliminating the septic system, property owners reduce the risk of such events and associated liability.

Lower Risk of Water Damage

• Sewage Backups: Homes with septic systems can experience backups if the system is not maintained correctly or if it fails. These backups can cause significant water damage to the home, leading to higher claims and, thus higher insurance premiums. Municipal sewer systems generally have a lower risk of causing such backups in the home, potentially reducing insurance costs.
• Flood Damage: In areas prone to flooding, septic systems can fail during flood events, causing additional damage. Homes connected to municipal sewer systems might be considered at lower risk, potentially leading to reductions in flood insurance premiums.

Discounts for Improved Infrastructure

Some insurance companies offer discounts for homes that are considered lower risk due to improvements in infrastructure. Switching to a more reliable and efficient municipal sewer system could be viewed as such an improvement, making property owners eligible for these discounts.

Increased Property Value and Risk Assessment

Properties connected to municipal sewer systems may have higher values and might be assessed as lower risk, affecting insurance premiums. This is because sewer-connected properties are less likely to experience problems that lead to insurance claims, such as environmental cleanup costs or damages from sewage backups.

Incentive Program

Through our grant funding, BJWSA is able to provide a financial incentive for property owners to sign up for a sewer connection. If a property owner wanted to do this on their own, it could cost over $40,000. If property owners sign up by August 26, 2024, they will receive the full financial incentive, paying only their monthly bill each month after connection. If property owners sign up after August 26, 2024, they are responsible for the full cost of the sewer connection and their monthly bill.

Cost and Savings 

Sign Up for Go2Sewer by August 26, 2024

Property owners can connect at no cost, potentially saving around $44,000 in fees.  

Sign Up After August 26, 2024

Property owners who connect after the deadline will not receive incentives and must cover the full cost of the connection, which could be substantial. If you are an interested property owner and want more information about costs associated with the project after this date, please email Go2Sewer@BJWSA.org.

Low-Pressure Systems

Low-pressure sewer systems use grinder pumps to collect and transport wastewater from properties to the sewage treatment plant. This system is especially useful in areas with difficult terrain, high groundwater levels, or other challenges that make traditional gravity sewer systems impractical. Low-pressure systems are cost-effective, require smaller-diameter sewer lines, and can be installed with minimal landscape disruption.

Grinder Pumps

Grinder pumps are used in sewage systems where the normal flow of wastewater cannot reach the elevation of the sewer line. These pumps grind the sewage into a fine slurry, which is then pumped to a municipal sewer system. Grinder pumps are typically installed at individual homes and are an essential part of managing wastewater in areas not served by gravity-based systems. Pumps installed through this project will be owned by BJWSA and the property owner will pay a monthly service fee for BJWSA to maintain the pump.

When property owners transition from well/septic systems to centralized utilities under the Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek initiative, they embark on a path with numerous long-term benefits, including enhanced environmental protection and potentially increased property values. To ensure the seamless operation and maintenance of the new sewer system components installed on their property, here's what property owners can expect:

Pump Ownership and Maintenance

The Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) will acquire and install the grinder pump, a critical component installed on each property to efficiently transport wastewater to the central sewer system.

BJWSA will be responsible for routine maintenance of the grinder pump. This proactive approach ensures that the system operates optimally, minimizing the risk of disruptions or failures.

Costs Covered by Monthly Utility Bills

To cover the costs associated with the grinder pump's ongoing maintenance, property owners will contribute a service fee, estimated at approximately $30 per month. This fee is conveniently included in the property owner's regular monthly sewer bill, ensuring a straightforward and transparent financial arrangement. Property owners are also responsible for their monthly water and sewer usage. 

Learn more about our monthly billing process here.

Required Easement Agreement

Part of our agreement with property owners when they sign up for a water and sewer connection is an easement agreement. Our team will work with you to draft an agreement that will allow BJWSA to maintain our on-site equipment, including the grinder pump. 

What's an Easement?

It's permission that you give us (BJWSA) to come onto your property to take care of company-owned equipment like pipes and the grinder pump. This allows us to maintain repair and replace parts necessary to keep things running smoothly.

What You Should Know: In exchange for this access, we handle the costs involved in connecting you to our services if you sign up before August 26, 2024; it's part of the agreement that gets you connected without extra charges and can save you tens of thousands of dollars

Additional Responsibilities

Emergency Repairs: In the rare event of a grinder pump malfunction or sewer system issue, BJWSA will provide emergency repair services. Property owners are encouraged to report any issues immediately to ensure quick resolution.

Educational Resources: BJWSA will offer property owners educational resources and guidance on best practices for sewer system care and maintenance, helping to prevent avoidable issues and ensuring the system's longevity.

1. The Project Manager will contact the interested property owner and confirm your participation in the incentive program. 
2. BJWSA will then begin the legal process for obtaining easements from property owners as necessary to allow the right of entry for BJWSA staff, engineers, surveyors, and contractors to plan, survey, design, install, operate and maintain water and sewer infrastructure on the property owners’ land.
3. Construction is expected to begin in January 2025 through May 2026. 
4. Once the water and sewer line construction is complete, the next step will be decommissioning existing septic tanks and onsite wells from residential structures on property owners’ land. Onsite water supply wells shall not be demolished or abandoned and shall remain available for property owners to use for irrigation.
5. BJWSA will connect existing residential buildings/structures on property owners’ land to the new onsite water and sewer infrastructure installed in the Project Area and approved for service by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES).
6. When connected, the property owner and BJWSA will establish a utility account for the property owner and issue monthly water and sewer service utility bills based on BJWSA’s adopted schedule of rates, fees, and charges for grinder pump systems, which may be revised periodically.
   • The first utility bill shall be issued to property owners approximately 30-days after the systems have been approved for service by SCDES, which is planned for June 1, 2026.
   • Utility bills shall be issued to property owners on a monthly basis thereafter.

A watershed is an area of land where all the water that falls in it and drains off of it goes into a common outlet. This includes rainfall, snowmelt, rivers, streams, and groundwater moving towards a common body of water such as a river, lake, sea, or ocean. Watersheds are crucial to environmental health, supporting diverse ecosystems and communities. They play a key role in gathering ground and surface water and directing it into larger water bodies. Watersheds are vital for managing water quality, providing habitat for wildlife, and supporting human activities and needs. 

Watch this video to learn more about how a watershed works!

The Alljoy neighborhood is located in Bluffton, SC along the May River.

If you are a BJWSA customer and your property is in a teal shaded area of our project area map, great news! Your property is in the proposed Phase I project area.

You can also check to see if your parcel address is on this list of eligible properties by clicking here.

If your property is in the teal shaded project area (and on the list) and you are not a BJWSA water customer, please complete the Water & Sewer Availability Request Form found on the BJWSA website: https://bjwsa.org/173/Water-Sewer-Availability

Avoid Expensive and Surprise Septic System Repair Costs

Septic systems, especially older ones, are prone to failures and require expensive repairs or replacements. The cost of pumping, repairing, or replacing a septic tank, drain field, or other components can be substantial, easily reaching thousands of dollars. In some cases state regulations will prohibit replacing septic equipment. Once connected to centralized utilities, property owners no longer bear worry or financial burden of maintaining a septic system, which can lead to significant long-term savings. 

Predictable Monthly Costs

When you connect to BJWSA service, you will start receiving a monthly bill. While that sounds like an added cost, it is predictable. When your systems begin to fail, or need maintenance, it’s often a large and unexpected bill. They might break down without warning, and fixing or replacing them can really drain your wallet or be impossible under environmental regulations.

Here’s the good news: Switching to our services means you can stop worrying about big repair bills. Once you’re connected, all those system headaches and the costs that come with them are gone. This switch can save you some serious cash over time, making life a bit easier.

Environmental Compliance and Reduced Liability

BJWSA services comply with current environmental regulations, reducing the property owner’s liability for contamination that can occur with failing septic systems. Costs associated with legal fees, fines, and remediation of septic leaks or failures can be significant. By connecting through BJWSA’s Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek and our incentive program, property owners transfer the responsibility for wastewater treatment to us, along with the associated risks and liabilities.

Long-term Sustainability and Community Support

One of the goals of the Go2Sewer for a Cleaner May River initiative is to help protect our watershed, including Stoney Creek and the downstream May River. Currently, leaky septic tanks are leeching waste into the watershed, threatening our community’s health, safety, economy, and ecosystem.  By taking part in our incentive programs, you are not only getting the long-term support of the team at BJWSA and saving thousands of dollars, but you are also helping to keep our waterways clean for families, wildlife, and recreational pursuits like fishing and kayaking! 

Potential Insurance Savings Can Include:

Reduced Liability Risks

• Septic Failures: Septic systems can fail, leading to potential groundwater contamination or property damage. This risk can increase liability premiums. Connecting to a sewer system eliminates the risk of septic failure, potentially lowering liability insurance costs.
• Environmental Cleanup: If a septic system leaks or overflows, property owners may be liable for the cleanup of any environmental contamination. This risk can also affect insurance premiums. By eliminating the septic system, property owners reduce the risk of such events and associated liability.

Lower Risk of Water Damage

• Sewage Backups: Homes with septic systems can experience backups if the system is not maintained correctly or if it fails. These backups can cause significant water damage to the home, leading to higher claims and, thus higher insurance premiums. Municipal sewer systems generally have a lower risk of causing such backups in the home, potentially reducing insurance costs.
• Flood Damage: In areas prone to flooding, septic systems can fail during flood events, causing additional damage. Homes connected to municipal sewer systems might be considered at lower risk, potentially leading to reductions in flood insurance premiums.

Discounts for Improved Infrastructure

Some insurance companies offer discounts for homes that are considered lower risk due to improvements in infrastructure. Switching to a more reliable and efficient municipal sewer system could be viewed as such an improvement, making property owners eligible for these discounts.

Increased Property Value and Risk Assessment

Properties connected to municipal sewer systems may have higher values and might be assessed as lower risk, affecting insurance premiums. This is because sewer-connected properties are less likely to experience problems that lead to insurance claims, such as environmental cleanup costs or damages from sewage backups.

Property Owner Benefits

• Financial Savings: Avoiding the long-term costs associated with septic system maintenance and potential failure.
• Increased Property Value: Homes connected to sewer systems are often more appealing to buyers.
• Potential Reduced Insurance Rates: Some insurance companies offer discounts for homes that are considered lower risk due to improvements in infrastructure. Switching to a more reliable and efficient public utility could be viewed as such an improvement, making property owners eligible for these discounts.
• Peace of Mind: Eliminates the worry of septic system backup or failure.

Community and Environmental Benefits 

BJWSA complies with current environmental regulations, reducing the property owner’s liability for contamination that can occur with well/septic systems. Costs associated with legal fees, fines, and remediation of septic leaks or failures can be significant. By connecting through BJWSA’s “Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek” and our incentive programs, property owners transfer the responsibility to BJWSA, along with the associated risks and liabilities.

• Environmental Protection: Preserves local water quality and ecosystems.
• Public Health: Reduces the risk of waterborne diseases associated with septic system overflows. 

Health and Environmental Benefits

• Reduced Contamination: Sewer systems prevent contaminants found in wastewater from seeping into groundwater, rivers, and lakes, thereby reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and environmental pollution.
• Better Water Quality: By eliminating septic runoff, sewer systems contribute to cleaner and safer rivers, streams, and groundwater.
• Sustainability: Sewer systems are more sustainable in the long term, offering efficient wastewater treatment and reducing the likelihood of costly leaks and overflows that can occur with septic systems.

Economic and Practical Benefits

• Increased Property Values: Properties connected to a sewer system often have higher values because of the reduced risk of septic system failures.
• Lower Maintenance Costs: property owners save on the maintenance and potential replacement costs associated with septic systems, which can be substantial over time.
• Regulation & Compliance: Transitioning to sewer systems ensures compliance with current environmental regulations and community planning efforts, avoiding potential fines and legal issues.
• Potential Reduced Insurance Costs: Some insurance companies offer discounts for homes that are considered lower risk due to improvements in infrastructure. Switching to a more reliable and efficient municipal sewer system could be viewed as such an improvement, making property owners eligible for these discounts.
• Better Fire Emergency Response: Having sewer connections in your neighborhood provides closer access to fire hydrants, which will help fire departments in putting out potential fires faster. 

BJWSA’s contractor will work with you to make decisions about positioning the needed equipment. However, there are key considerations. The equipment will need be close to where wastewater currently leaves your home on its way to your septic tank. The grinder pump also requires electricity,  so the proximity to power is also a consideration. Ideally, the location grinder pump station would be located somewhere between your home’s wastewater outlet and power connection. BJWSA’s engineering consultant will prepare exhibits showing preliminary routing that will be used for bidding purposes and will consider other aspects such as tree mitigation, but will not necessarily indicate final pump and piping location. With that in mind, our contractor will work with you to explore options for locating the equipment.