Costs of an Onsite Wastewater System

How much does a septic system cost in 2024?

There’s no simple answer — the cost of every single onsite treatment system is going to vary according to a number of factors. What we can tell you is this: as of 2024, HomeAdvisor.com, which aggregates home improvement and maintenance resources, lists the typical range of septic projects to cost between $3,484-$11,703.

The basic factors that HomeAdvisor identifies as driving the cost variations include the size, type, and material you need for the system. Be aware that these three key factors, as well as some others, can drive your costs up well beyond the upper end of that range.

Visit HomeAdvisor for a detailed breakdown of the ranges of costs for tank size, anaerobic vs. aerobic system tanks, types of alternative systems, material types, installation add-on costs, replacement costs, and more.

You can also get an estimate of the costs for your specific project’s needs, by entering information into their estimate tool. For the sake of accuracy and due diligence, it’s recommended to have at least 2-3 cost estimates before determining a final estimated price.

To find other septic professionals in your area, check NOWRA’s Septic Locator lookup tool. You’ll want to be able to list other septic professionals as references for your work, or to check the cost estimates with, when engaging with new potential clients. Networking is important!

So what do you do if you need help financing your septic project? Thankfully, there’s a number of resources available for assistance. You may want to visit the Financing page at the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association website — NOWRA has a long list of sites and organizations to visit for assistance, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture, and more.

Some other resources we would like to particularly recommend:

• The Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) provides technical assistance and support to rural communities across the country. Their Water and Wastewater Technical Assistance Program has a special focus area in onsite/decentralized wastewater. While RCAP’s national organization does not provide services directly, their regional offices can assist with coordinating help for your community. Contact RCAP here.
• The Financing Septic Systems module in the EPA’s Water Finance Clearinghouse. The module is for homeowners seeking information to support the operations and maintenance, repair, or new construction of septic systems.
• Septic at EPA — Along with a host of other septic-related information and resources, the EPA has funding sources listed by federal programs, individual states, and tribal communities.

How Did You Support SepticSmart Week?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) hosted the 11th annual SepticSmart Week from September 18-22, 2023. Many water industry professionals took to social media to share U.S. EPA's helpful tips with septic system owners in their communities.

1. Think at the Sink! What goes down the drain has a big impact on your septic system. Fats, grease, and solids can clog a system’s pipes and drainfield.
2. Don’t Overload the Commode! A toilet is not a trash can. Disposable diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, and cat litter can damage a septic system.
3. Don’t Strain Your Drain! Use water efficiently and stagger use of water-based appliances. Too much water use at once can overload a system that hasn’t been pumped recently.
4. Shield Your Field! Tree and shrub roots, cars, and livestock can damage your septic drainfield.
5. Keep It Clean! Contamination can occur when a septic system leaks due to improper maintenance. Be sure your drinking water is safe to drink by testing it regularly.
6. Protect It and Inspect It! Regular septic system maintenance can save homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs and protect public health.

This year's SepticSmart Week creative challenge was in partnership with Youth Engaged 4 Change and asked students ages 11-19 what “septic systems of the future” might look like. Participants were encouraged to demonstrate their thoughts on how future septic systems could sustainably safeguard community health and protect waterways. The top three winners received $100 gift cards and included Tyler’s Diagram showing a new and improved drain field regulator, Karolina’s Poem “Future Septic Systems”, and Ahana’s Essay “Septic Systems of the Future.”