Piping Growth: The Law, Economics, and Equity of Sewer and Water Connection Policies

Abstract

Growth follows the pipe. Tomorrow's community growth patterns are being determined by today's sewer and water patterns. In wet regions, where one can find water by digging a basement but cannot install septic tanks because of the high water table, it is the sewer pipe that most influences the location of growth. In arid regions, where water is hard to find but where there is sufficient dry soil to absorb sewage, the water pipe more often than not shapes growth patterns.