In unsewered areas, who is responsible for the water and sewer systems for new subdivisions?

In unsewered areas, the developer typically assumes responsibility for the water and sewer systems for new subdivisions. This responsibility includes the planning, installation, and maintenance of water supply and wastewater systems. Developers must ensure that these systems meet local health and environmental standards before the subdivision can be fully operational and inhabited.

This is primarily because the developer has the most control over the construction process and needs to design the systems to comply with applicable regulations, requirements, and community standards. Once the subdivision is developed and operational, the systems may eventually be handed over to a local authority or utility, but initially, the developer is charged with this critical aspect of infrastructure planning.

The local department of public works and local government typically oversee standards and regulations, but they do not generally assume responsibility for new installations unless they specifically choose to participate in the process. New owners do not develop the infrastructure; they buy into existing systems. Understanding this framework helps clarify the roles of various participants in community development, particularly in areas lacking existing sanitation infrastructure.