Hello everyone,
Here is the situation: A few years ago, we purchased a house in a rural area where the water supply comes from a private spring source with its own small wastewater treatment system.
The spring source is quite old, and the flow rate is decreasing, so we need to consider the future of our water supply.
We are mainly deciding whether to develop a new spring or connect to the public water supply. We would actually prefer to connect to the public system, since this would eliminate the effort (costs and especially time) required to maintain a private source. We wouldn’t have to worry about water quality anymore or deal with annual problems. (The water from the public supplier is also spring water.) And very importantly, we wouldn’t constantly fear that the spring might run dry during dry periods.
The nearest connection to the public water mains is about 500 meters (550 yards) away, and the costs for the connection would not be covered by the local municipality.
Now the question is: What rough costs should we expect for laying the pipes? The ground is basically just meadow land.
Another concern is that, according to the municipality, only pipe installation that includes wastewater lines can receive a 30% subsidy from the state, so it would make sense to install those at the same time. However, since our small wastewater treatment system is only a few years old, that would be quite unfortunate.
Would the 30% subsidy really make it worthwhile? In my opinion, the effort would be considerably less if only drinking water pipes were laid. These pipes are quite small in diameter compared to the large wastewater pipes, which require a much wider trench. It’s clear why the municipality prefers the option with wastewater pipes – they earn more money that way. However, the municipality has not ruled out installation without drinking water pipes.
I am grateful for any assessments, opinions, or experiences!
Here is the situation: A few years ago, we purchased a house in a rural area where the water supply comes from a private spring source with its own small wastewater treatment system.
The spring source is quite old, and the flow rate is decreasing, so we need to consider the future of our water supply.
We are mainly deciding whether to develop a new spring or connect to the public water supply. We would actually prefer to connect to the public system, since this would eliminate the effort (costs and especially time) required to maintain a private source. We wouldn’t have to worry about water quality anymore or deal with annual problems. (The water from the public supplier is also spring water.) And very importantly, we wouldn’t constantly fear that the spring might run dry during dry periods.
The nearest connection to the public water mains is about 500 meters (550 yards) away, and the costs for the connection would not be covered by the local municipality.
Now the question is: What rough costs should we expect for laying the pipes? The ground is basically just meadow land.
Another concern is that, according to the municipality, only pipe installation that includes wastewater lines can receive a 30% subsidy from the state, so it would make sense to install those at the same time. However, since our small wastewater treatment system is only a few years old, that would be quite unfortunate.
Would the 30% subsidy really make it worthwhile? In my opinion, the effort would be considerably less if only drinking water pipes were laid. These pipes are quite small in diameter compared to the large wastewater pipes, which require a much wider trench. It’s clear why the municipality prefers the option with wastewater pipes – they earn more money that way. However, the municipality has not ruled out installation without drinking water pipes.
I am grateful for any assessments, opinions, or experiences!
C
Caspar202010 Oct 2018 11:45nanu89 schrieb:
Now the question is roughly what costs can be expected for laying the pipes? The ground is basically just meadow land. Who owns the meadow land? You? Someone else? Public property?
nanu89 schrieb:
The nearest connection to the public pipes is about 500 m (550 yards) away and the costs incurred would not be covered by the municipality. Who is authorized to make the connection? For example, a contractor you hire for civil engineering work? Or is there a list of approved companies from the water/wastewater provider? Or does the utility provider do it themselves?
By the way, 500 m (550 yards) is quite a distance.
Hi, the most important question is who owns the 500 meters (about 550 yards) between your house and the connection point, and how it is regulated who is allowed to install the lines in your area.
In our case, the connection point is installed by a municipal company, and everything up to that point was our responsibility.
I would suggest calling and asking what they say. About five years ago, the connection point including the meter cost us nearly 2,000 euros. This year, for the new build, there was an additional expense of around 2,000 euros for the new lines, but we had that done by a contractor (around 200 meters (about 220 yards)).
In our case, the connection point is installed by a municipal company, and everything up to that point was our responsibility.
I would suggest calling and asking what they say. About five years ago, the connection point including the meter cost us nearly 2,000 euros. This year, for the new build, there was an additional expense of around 2,000 euros for the new lines, but we had that done by a contractor (around 200 meters (about 220 yards)).
At our utility provider, if excavation is required on public land, it costs over €100 per meter (about $110 per yard). You can calculate the total cost yourself. Additionally, you need to consider which properties the line has to cross.
If you also connect to the sewage system at the same time, I imagine that for that distance you might also need a pump station. I strongly doubt whether all of this is economically viable.
If you also connect to the sewage system at the same time, I imagine that for that distance you might also need a pump station. I strongly doubt whether all of this is economically viable.
Who owns the meadow area? You? Someone else? Public?
------ Mostly us. The last 50m (55 yards) is a public road.
Who is allowed to make the connection? Like, a contractor you hire? Or does the water/wastewater utility provide a list of approved contractors? Or do they do it themselves?
------- The municipality said we should privately get a quote from a contractor. So I assume it doesn’t matter who does it.
Sewage is many times more expensive than drinking water, so the 30% doesn’t really matter.
------- I agree. That’s why I think the municipality wants it mainly for economic reasons…
The handover point including the meter cost us nearly 2000 euros (about $2200) around 5 years ago. This year, for the new build, we paid another good 2000 euros (about $2200) for the new pipes, but we arranged it ourselves (about 200m (220 yards)).
------- So 2000 euros (about $2200) for 200m (220 yards) sounds really cheap to me!?
For our utility, if they have to dig on public land, it costs over 100 euros (about $110) per meter (about 1 yard).
------- That’s a whole different level… If it were over 50,000 euros (about $55,000), we would definitely need to reconsider whether it makes sense.
If you also connect sewage right away, I imagine you might need a lift station (pump) for that length. I seriously doubt if it is all economically viable.
-------- The ground from our house to the nearest sewer/water connection falls about 50m (55 yards). That shouldn’t be a problem.
What worries me more is the comment regarding technical feasibility.
The public water supply here comes from a local source in the municipality. The elevated reservoir is apparently only 1 meter (3 feet) higher than our house.
Quote from the municipality: “The water should just be able to reach our house.” Technically, it seems this hasn’t been fully checked…
We already installed a pressure booster system inside the house, a Grundfos Scala2.
It looks like we have a long way to go before all these questions are resolved…
------ Mostly us. The last 50m (55 yards) is a public road.
Who is allowed to make the connection? Like, a contractor you hire? Or does the water/wastewater utility provide a list of approved contractors? Or do they do it themselves?
------- The municipality said we should privately get a quote from a contractor. So I assume it doesn’t matter who does it.
Sewage is many times more expensive than drinking water, so the 30% doesn’t really matter.
------- I agree. That’s why I think the municipality wants it mainly for economic reasons…
The handover point including the meter cost us nearly 2000 euros (about $2200) around 5 years ago. This year, for the new build, we paid another good 2000 euros (about $2200) for the new pipes, but we arranged it ourselves (about 200m (220 yards)).
------- So 2000 euros (about $2200) for 200m (220 yards) sounds really cheap to me!?
For our utility, if they have to dig on public land, it costs over 100 euros (about $110) per meter (about 1 yard).
------- That’s a whole different level… If it were over 50,000 euros (about $55,000), we would definitely need to reconsider whether it makes sense.
If you also connect sewage right away, I imagine you might need a lift station (pump) for that length. I seriously doubt if it is all economically viable.
-------- The ground from our house to the nearest sewer/water connection falls about 50m (55 yards). That shouldn’t be a problem.
What worries me more is the comment regarding technical feasibility.
The public water supply here comes from a local source in the municipality. The elevated reservoir is apparently only 1 meter (3 feet) higher than our house.
Quote from the municipality: “The water should just be able to reach our house.” Technically, it seems this hasn’t been fully checked…
We already installed a pressure booster system inside the house, a Grundfos Scala2.
It looks like we have a long way to go before all these questions are resolved…
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