How a home handles wastewater — a private septic system or a municipal sewer connection — matters for cost, maintenance, and your responsibilities, especially when buying rural or acreage property in BC.
How they differ
Municipal sewer carries waste away through city pipes for a utility fee; you just flush and forget. A septic system treats waste on your own property in a tank and drain field, and you're fully responsible for maintaining it.
Cost and maintenance
Sewer has ongoing utility charges but little owner maintenance. Septic has no monthly bill but needs pumping every few years and careful use, and a failed system is expensive to repair or replace — a real cost to budget for on a septic property.
What buyers should check
If buying a home on septic, get the system inspected, ask for service records, and understand the tank size and drain field condition. A failing septic system can be a five-figure surprise, so it's worth confirming before you buy.