Septic vs Sewer — What Does My Severna Park or Anne Arundel County Home Have?

LOCAL PLUMBING GUIDE

How to Confirm Which System Your Home Uses

Method 1 — Your Anne Arundel County water and sewer bill: Homeowners connected to public sewer in Anne Arundel County receive a utility bill that includes a sewer use charge — typically based on water consumption. If your utility bill shows only a water charge with no sewer component, your home is on a private septic system and sewer service may not be available at your property.

Method 2 — Maryland Department of the Environment records: MDE maintains permit records for well and septic systems. An online search of MDE’s records for your property address will show whether a septic system permit was issued — confirming a septic system is present.

Method 3 — Ask your neighbour or the county: Anne Arundel County’s Bureau of Utilities can confirm whether a public sewer main passes your property and whether your home is connected. Properties not yet connected to a passing main may have the option to connect — at the homeowner’s expense — which is a significant plumbing project involving new sewer line and abandonment of the existing septic system.

Method 4 — Look for a septic tank or drainfield: A septic tank is typically buried 5–15 feet from the home’s foundation. A drainfield (leach field) is a grass or gravel area — typically 500–1,500 square feet — that receives the effluent from the tank. In some Crownsville and rural Arnold properties, the drainfield is clearly visible as a raised or distinctly different grass area.

LOCAL PLUMBING GUIDE

What Fitchet Plumbing Handles on Each System

On public sewer (most of Severna Park 21146): Everything from the fixture drain to the connection at the public sewer main is Fitchet Plumbing’s scope — the drain lines within the home, the main drain stack, the sewer service lateral from the home to the main, and the cleanout access. We scope, repair, reline, and excavate and replace sewer laterals. The public sewer main itself is Anne Arundel County’s responsibility.

On private septic: The plumbing inside the home — fixture drains, the main drain stack, and the sewer line from the home to the septic tank inlet — is Fitchet Plumbing’s scope. The septic tank itself, the distribution box, and the drainfield are septic system components that require a licensed septic contractor (Maryland requires a separate licence for septic work). We handle the house-side plumbing; we work with a licensed septic contractor for tank and field work.

When both are involved: A sewer line backup on a septic-connected property may involve either the house-side drain line (our scope) or the septic tank (septic contractor scope). A camera inspection from the cleanout typically confirms which side of the tank the problem is on.

LOCAL PLUMBING GUIDE

Common Plumbing Questions for Severna Park Homes on Public Sewer

Root intrusion in the sewer lateral. The lateral from the home’s foundation to the public sewer main runs through Severna Park’s mature-tree-canopied neighbourhoods. Root intrusion in the lateral is the most common sewer problem we camera-scope in Severna Park — Chartwell, Severna Forest, Olde Severna Park, and the B&A Trail corridor are highest-frequency.

Sewer lateral condition in older homes. Original clay tile or cast iron sewer laterals from 1950s–1970s construction in Severna Park are approaching end of service life in many properties. A camera inspection from the cleanout — the outdoor access point near the foundation — shows the current condition and whether trenchless lining or full replacement is the appropriate response.

Main sewer backup. A main sewer backup — sewage appearing at floor-level drains — on a public sewer property is our emergency call. A main sewer backup on a septic property needs a tank pumping assessment from a septic contractor as the first step.

LOCAL PLUMBING GUIDE

Common Plumbing Questions for Anne Arundel County Homes on Septic

Slow drains throughout the house on a septic system. When all drains are slow simultaneously on a septic-connected property — not just one fixture — the septic tank is typically full or the drainfield is saturated. This is a septic contractor call for pumping and evaluation, not a drain cleaning call.

Single slow drain on a septic system. A single slow fixture — one sink, one shower — on a septic-connected property is a house-side drain issue within Fitchet Plumbing’s scope. The septic system handles the house-side effluent; a slow drain at a single fixture is a local blockage unrelated to the septic system.

Can I install a garbage disposal on a septic system? Garbage disposals add significant organic solids loading to a septic system — increasing how frequently the tank needs pumping. Most septic system professionals recommend against garbage disposals on septic systems, or recommend a disposal specifically designed for septic use (with enzyme addition). We advise on this when asked for septic-connected properties.

Grease and septic systems. Grease should never enter a septic system — it’s not biodegradable within the system and accumulates in the tank, shortening pump intervals and eventually affecting drainfield function. Kitchen drain care is more important on a septic system than on public sewer.

COMMON QUESTIONS

FAQ — Septic vs Sewer Anne Arundel County

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