NAHB Economics analysis of the Survey of Construction (SOC) data shows that about 9% of new single-family homes started in 2017 were served by individual wells and more than 16% have private septic systems. These shares, however, vary widely across the nine Census divisions with the corresponding shares reaching 39% and 43% in New England – the highest occurrence rates in the nation.

The SOC classifies community or shared water supply/wells as public water rather than individual wells. Nationally, more than 9% of new single-family homes started in 2017 are served by individual wells, and the remaining vast majority of new homes are served by a public water system, including community or shared water supply/wells.

In New England, where new homes sit on nation’s largest lots, 39% of new single-family homes are built on individual wells. The reliance on private wells is also relatively common in the East North Central division where 27% of new single-family homes started in 2017 are built on individual wells. The Middle Atlantic division registers the third highest share of homes built on individual wells with the share of 15%. Four out of the nine divisions exceed the national average of 9%, including New England, East North Central, Middle Atlantic and South Atlantic.

In contrast, individual wells that are not shared are almost non-existent in the East South Central and West South Central divisions where their shares are under 1% and 2%, respectively.

Similar to public water/individual wells, the SOC classifies sewage disposal systems as public sewers (including community or shared sewage/septic systems) and individual septic systems. Most of new single-family homes (84%) are serviced by public sewers. The incidence of individual septic systems among new single-family starts varies by division.

About 43% of new single-family homes started in New England have private septic systems, while the national share is 16%. Individual septic systems are also relatively common in the East South Central division and the East North Central division where 28% of homes started in 2017 have a private septic system. The share of private septic systems is close but slightly higher than the national average in the Middle Atlantic division (20%) and the South Atlantic division where it is 17%.

Tags: 2017 starts, community septic systems, home building, housing, individual septic system, individual wells, new single family homes, private septic system, public sewage system, public water system, shared sewage, shared water wells, survey of construction