The Town of Grottoes has a very rare sewer system, blending the advantages of a traditional wastewater system with the benefits of septic tanks. Installed in the early 1980s, this hybrid system was chosen for its cost-effectiveness and ability to meet the needs of the community at the time. Unlike typical systems, which rely on deep, extensive piping to transport wastewater, Grottoes’ system uses shallower lines designed mainly to handle liquid waste. This hybrid model was not only a practical solution but also a significantly more affordable option for the town and its residents.
One distinctive feature of Grottoes’ system is that every home or building connected to the public sewer system is also required to have a septic tank. This added layer helps manage solid waste and prevents the clogging of the sewer lines. To ensure the septic tanks remain effective, the Town’s Public Works Department pumps them out on a regular *5-to-7-year cycle, maintaining the integrity of the system and ensuring waste is efficiently processed. Although there are some properties within the town that opted not to connect to the sewer lines when they were installed. Those homes are not billed for sewer and are responsible for their own maintenance & management.
In addition to the unique design of the sewer system, Grottoes is proactive in maintaining and upgrading its wastewater treatment plant. Recently, the plant underwent a significant dredging project to remove sludge from the bottom of its lagoons, improving the facility’s overall capacity and performance. Looking ahead, the Town is investing in upgrading its UV disinfection system, which will increase the plant’s capacity to treat up to 800,000 gallons of wastewater per day. To put this into perspective, the plant currently processes an average of just 250,000 gallons daily, meaning the upcoming upgrades will provide ample room for future growth and ensure the system remains capable of handling the needs of the town for years to come.
Grottoes’ hybrid sewer system, combined with its ongoing investment in infrastructure, serves as a prime example of how communities can take innovative approaches to wastewater management. By blending traditional septic systems with modern treatment processes, the town is ensuring that its wastewater infrastructure can meet both current and future demands.
*The Town maintains a list of when each septic was pumped and schedules these internally. Residents do not need to monitor this. If you are having an issue and need your tank pumped, please contact the Town Hall to request this. NOTE: There will always be liquids in your tank! Please do not panic if you look in your tank and see it is “full”. If you are not on the town’s sewer system, you can request we pump it for you for a fee (currently $300), which must be paid in advance.
Article published 2025.