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07/26/2024 9:45 am

Sewer Treatment

Sewer-Only Service Connections

Sewer-Only account creation and permitting for Raleigh and Merger Communities

Updated: Jul 26, 2024

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Before You Apply Process Prior to Permit Submittal. Permit Submittal Permitting Process

Raleigh Water does not issue permits to homeowners on well and septic for a connection to the sewer system only, if a sewer main is directly available but no watermain.

Sewer-only connections are prohibited, except in the case of public health concerns where failing septic cannot be repaired. Wake County approval is required to connect to Raleigh’s utility.  If water and sewer are both available, the requestor must connect to both utilities.

The permitting process described hereby applies to the setup of a sewer-only service and account for existing single-family homes where the septic has failed, and the applicant must connect to Raleigh’s sewer system if only sewer is available.

This applies to properties within the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) of Raleigh or the Merger Community (Garner, Knightdale, Rolesville, Wendell, Wake Forest, and Zebulon).

If the property is in Wake County’s jurisdiction, connection to utilities can only be made with approval of Raleigh City Council if a sewer main is directly available.

If the property is within a merger town’s jurisdiction, the applicant must apply for annexation through the merger town.

If the property is in Raleigh’s jurisdiction, the applicant must apply for annexation through Raleigh.

Before You Apply

The applicant must have received a First Class “90 Day connect to Sewer Letter” letter from Wake County Health & Human Services requiring the repair, connection, or vacate the premise.

Process Prior to Permit Submittal.

An applicant must submit an email to water.review@raleighnc.gov and put SEWER-ONLY Request and the address into the title.  Staff will evaluate if the property has utilities available.

If eligibility is confirmed, the applicant must submit the following documents to: 

Raleigh Public Utilities Department

Attn.: Engineering Supervisor, Sewer-only contract.
1 Exchange Plaza STE 620
PO Box 590
Raleigh, NC 27601

Documents:

  • Sewer-Only Contract – signed and notarized
  • Verification of failed septic or repair/replacement cannot occur.
  • A letter and verification by an NC Soil Scientist and Professional Engineer where appropriate stating that the septic field is not repairable, or the septic system cannot be replaced or repaired.

Raleigh Water staff will evaluate each request for an SOA to ensure compliance with eligibility criteria outlined in the Public Utilities Handbook.  All requests shall be approved by the Director of Public Utilities, or their designee, to be eligible for sewer service permitting. 

Once signed by the Public Utilities Director, the applicant must apply for annexation through Long-Range Planning when within the Raleigh Service Area.

Merger Communities – You must apply for Annexation through the corresponding Merger Town’s Office.

The signed contract is returned to the applicant to deliver to the Register of Deeds in Wake County for recordation.

Permit Submittal

  • Applications must be submitted to Downtownds@raleighnc.gov. 
  • Residential Permit Application
    • Fill out the general information, Utility Connection Permit and Stub permit (if using Licensed Utility Contractor), and Plumbing sections.
    • You must provide information about a Licensed Utility Contractor when working in easements or right-of-way.
    • If you wish for the City to install the taps, identify on the application.  The City will not install a service in an easement. 
  • Recorded Sewer-only Contract
  • Verification from Register of Deeds of the recorded Contract
  • Letter from Soil Scientist or Professional Engineer

Permitting Process

  • Applicants will be notified by email when a project is processed.
  • Comment review, payments, and other enhanced functions are available on our Permit and Development Portal.  An Account must be set up for improved processing.
  • Once the case has been heard by City Council, the permits can be issued.


Permit and Development Portal Information
Permit Fees / Scheduling Inspections
FAQ

Contact

 

For further questions about the water/sewer connections process related to land development:
Raleigh Water Development Review Team

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