Use of Non-public Water and Sewer Programs in New Single-Household Properties

The share of recent single-family properties constructed with particular person septic techniques declined barely in 2024 in comparison with the earlier yr, whereas the share of properties served by personal wells remained regular. Based on NAHB’s evaluation of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Building (SOC), roughly 16% relied on particular person septic techniques, and 9% of recent single-family properties began in 2024 have been served by personal wells.

Nationally, nearly all of new properties have been linked to public water techniques – together with group or shared provides/wells – whereas 9% have been constructed with personal wells. This nationwide share held regular from the earlier yr, although regional variations have been notable. In New England, the place median lot sizes are greater than 3 times the nationwide common, 37% of recent single-family properties relied on personal wells, making it the division with the very best fee within the nation. The East North Central division adopted with 27%, whereas the Center Atlantic stood at 13%. The South Atlantic area additionally exceeded the nationwide common, with 11% of recent properties utilizing personal wells. In stark distinction, personal wells have been unusual within the East South Central and West South Central divisions, every accounting for simply 1% of recent properties began.

For sewage disposal, 84% of recent single-family properties in 2024 have been linked to public sewer techniques, which embrace group or shared sewage/septic techniques. The remaining 16% utilized particular person septic techniques, down barely from 17% within the earlier yr. As with water sources, the utilization of septic techniques different considerably by area.

New England led the nation with 49% of recent properties utilizing particular person septic techniques. The East North Central (28%), East South Central (25%), and South Atlantic (22%) divisions additionally reported shares above the nationwide common. In distinction, decrease utilization was recorded within the Mountain (9%) and West North Central (8%) divisions, whereas the Pacific and West South Central divisions had the smallest shares, at 7% and 5%, respectively.

In comparison with 2023, seven of the 9 Census divisions skilled a decline in using particular person septic techniques with 5 of the divisions falling beneath the nationwide common. New England and East North Central have been the exceptions, recording will increase of 11- and 5-percentage factors, respectively, bringing their shares to 49% and 28% in 2024. Nevertheless, these positive aspects should not anomalies. In New England, the share had dipped to 38% in 2023, down from 46% in 2022. Equally, East North Central’s share decreased from 27% in 2022 to 23% in 2023.    

Zooming out, the share of recent properties constructed with particular person septic techniques has typically been on a decline throughout most areas since 2010. This pattern has been barely extra pronounced within the three divisions (New England, East South Central and East North Central) with traditionally larger utilization. The South Atlantic division stands out as an exception. Whereas its share ranged from 13% to 17% within the early 2010s, it has steadily elevated lately, and now exceeds 20%.