Sewer Connection / Abandonment

How to Connect Your Home to Lexington's Sewer System

To avoid some of the problems involved with on-site waste disposal systems, many Lexington residents consider connecting their homes to the municipal sewer system. Connecting to the sewer system can reduce the potential for environmental contamination and health hazards caused by old septic systems and cesspools, and offers a cost-effective alternative to systems that require pump-outs and often need expensive repairs.

Step 1

Contact any of the Town Approved Drain layers (PDF) and arrange to have a quote offered for connecting your property to the sewer line. We recommend that you obtain at least three quotes, as prices may vary.

These contractors will verify the location of your sewer stub by researching Sewer Department records. Based on this record information they will quote a price to do the work. You may use a contractor who does not appear on the list, provided they follow the Process to Become an Approved Drainlayer in Town (PDF).

Step 2

Once you decide to connect to the sewer, your contractor will carry out the work of acquiring the sewer permit, properly abandoning the old waste disposal system(s), and working with the Engineering and Community Development Departments to see that the job is done according to relevant specifications.

Procedures for Connecting to Town of Lexington Sewer System, And Abandoning On-Site Sewage Disposal System

1. Application for Connection to Town's Sewer System
   • Residents who desire to connect to Lexington's Sewer System must contract with a Town of Lexington Approved Drain Layers (PDF) (contractor) who is responsible for applying to the Engineering Department, 201 Bedford Street, Room 202, for a sewer connection permit. Sewer permits are issued only to approved drainlayers. View a List of Approved Drain Layers (PDF) you can also see them at 201 Bedford Street.
   • After the contractor files an application for a permit with the Engineering Department, the Town will determine if there are any previous charges to be paid. The stub fee, if applicable, will be added to the permit fees. They must also apply for a septic abandonment permit with the health department.
2. Abandonment of Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems
   • Amended Title V State Environmental Code - Minimum Requirements for the Subsurface Disposal of Sanitary Sewage
   • As of March 31, 1995, the State Environmental Code, Chapter V - Minimum Requirements for the Subsurface Disposal of Sanitary Sewage has been amended relative to the abandonment of surface sewage disposal systems. Abandonment can occur for different reasons, but most often in Lexington at the time a structure is connected to the Town Sewer System.
   • Contractors and Residents should be aware of the following Board of Health requirements:
     1. To abandon a system, permission must be requested to do so from the Board of Health by the property owner or representative agent. The request must state the reason for the abandonment and provide the sewer connection permit number where applicable.
     2. Once approved, all system components such as the tank, cesspool, pits, overflows and "drywell" components must be pumped out and properly disposed of by the contractor. A "System Pumping Record" must be completed and filed with the Board of Health by a licensed septage hauler.
     3. Once pumped out, the septic tank must be collapsed through the bottom and filled with clean sand or the tank(s) may be removed from the site.
     4. Metal tanks must be removed.
     5. Existing tanks, pits, drywells, etc. that are part of an abandoned system can not be integrated into a sewerage system connection unless approved in writing by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
     6. Any inspection required by the regulations relating to connection to the Town's sanitary sewer system shall be made by authorized personnel from the Department of Public Works/Engineering. Any inspection required by these regulations relating to proper disposal and pumping of septic and/or cesspool services and components shall be made by the Director of Public Health or the authorized agent of the Board of Health as outlined in Regulations adopted by the Lexington Board of Health on December 28, 1972.