Septic Systems in the Erie County Sewer Districts

While the vast majority of homes in the Erie County Sewer Districts are connected to the sanitary sewer system, there are limited areas serviced by septic systems.  If you are in this situation, you may wonder why there are Erie County Sewer District charges on your County tax bill.

The Erie County Sewer Districts were created as ‘benefit assessment districts’ pursuant to Article 5-A of New York State County Law. The general benefits provided by the sewer districts are protection of public health, enhancement of water quality, supporting the needs of the community, and more.  When the Erie County Sewer Districts were created, the County Legislature determined all properties within the boundaries are benefitted.  To account for the varying degrees of benefit received by the numerous types of properties residing in the sewer district, the Erie County Sewer Districts have developed multi-component charge formulas.

Generally, these charges fall into three (3) different categories:

• Flat usage and/or water usage charges, levied only on those connected to the system.
• Footage charges, levied only on those that have a sanitary sewer on or adjacent to their property.
• Assessed valuation charges, levied on all properties in the district.

Additionally, non-residential properties that are generally industrial or commercial in nature are charged more for higher volumes of flow or higher strength wastes.

Those that are connected to the sewer system are levied charges within all three (3) categories.  Properties with septic systems in an Erie County Sewer District are not levied flat/water usage or footage charges.  Those with septic systems in the Erie County Sewer Districts will see assessed valuation charges on their County tax bills to account for the benefits related to removal of health hazards in the area, the improvements the sewer district provides to the environment, and having extensive infrastructure already in place to serve once the sewer system has been extended.  An added benefit for septic system owners within an Erie County Sewer District is the ability to dispose of their septic wastes at a County facility and receive a partial refund of the sewer charges paid.  

To take advantage of the rebate for septage disposal, a resident should:

• Verify on your County tax bill that you pay Erie County Sewer District charges.
• Contact your septage wastehauler and confirm they will dispose at an Erie County Sewer District facility.
  • Currently Delo Drain & Septic Service, Septech LLC, and Top Notch Sewer & Drain Cleaning Cleaning LLC are permitted to discharge at ECSD treatment plants.  **Note you will need to verify with the company that they will discharge your waste at an ECSD facility**
• Have your septic tank serviced.
• After you have paid your bill and the septage wastehauler has disposed of their wastes at the Erie County Sewer District facility a photocopy of the invoice and the paid property taxes receipt can be emailed to dsm@erie.gov for to verify if you qualify for the rebate.

Before proceeding with any of the steps above, if there are any questions please call 716-858-6990 or email: dsm@erie.gov.  A resident is eligible for a rebate up to one-half of the actual Erie County Sewer District charges paid, or the actual amount paid to the wastehauler (whichever is less).