Harwich sewer connection guide: Phase 3 and 3A

Timeline, the Order-to-Connect deadline, estimated cost and AquiFund loans for Harwich homes in the Phase 3 and 3A sewer areas.

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Harwich Septic Help is a free referral service. We are not a septic company and do not pump, inspect, or repair systems. When you send a request, we work on matching you with an independent local septic provider, who must hold the required town permit and may pay us a referral fee. Prices, licensing, scheduling and work are between you and that provider.

When is sewer coming? Phase 3 and Phase 3A

Phase 3A: Great Sand Lakes and parts of Queen Anne Rd

Construction began July 2026; contractor Dig It LLC, $11.63M contract.
Expected to take 2 to 2.5 years.
Queen Anne Rd work pauses June 15 to Sept 15 each year.

Source: Cape Cod Chronicle (news report, not a town schedule).

Phase 3: Round Cove / Pleasant Bay

About 636 parcels.
About 2.5 years of construction, then Order-to-Connect letters.
For comparison, the Phase 2 connection deadline was March 1, 2025.

Source: Harwich Water Department FAQ. Check whether your street is in a phase on the sewer phase map.

Later phases: a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan update presented 7/13/2026 put the start of Phase 4 in 2029 (Cape Cod Chronicle). See the town's CWMP page. Dates are plans and can move.

How long do you have to connect? The 2-year Order-to-Connect clock

After construction and MassDEP approval, the town sends notices (Order-to-Connect letters) giving owners 2 years to connect (Harwich Water Department; Cape Cod Chronicle). Based on the construction estimates above, Phase 3/3A letters are probably still a year or more away. That's our estimate, not a town date. Connecting usually also means your old septic tank or cesspool is taken out of service; ask the Harwich Health Department and your contractor what that involves for your property.

Planning an addition? The Chronicle reports that sewers won't allow Harwich homeowners to add more bedrooms (we haven't reviewed that article in full, so confirm with the town).

How do you connect to Harwich sewer? Step by step

Confirm you are eligible. The Water Department posts stub-tie lists by street and water account for completed phases, and the sewer phase map for upcoming ones.
Wait for the Order to Connect. The Board of Health issues it after the Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners say the sewer is complete. You then have 2 years to connect, unless the Board sets another schedule after a public hearing. New construction must connect before a Certificate of Occupancy.
Get a building sewer permit. The owner (or agent) applies on the town's form with any plans the Superintendent and Health Director require, and pays permit, inspection and connection fees when filing. The town's online permitting portal is the starting point.
Hire a Licensed Utility Installer. Only they may build the building sewer; the Health Department publishes the licensed utility installer list. The owner pays all installation and connection costs.
Request your grinder pump, if one is needed. The town provides one outdoor simplex grinder pump to each residential property that had a septic system with an occupancy permit when the sewer contract began. Request it within 3 years of the town's pump bid opening or of the first Order to Connect, whichever is later, and sign a transfer and maintenance agreement: after that the pump's maintenance and replacement are yours. Your installer must be trained by the pump manufacturer to keep the warranty.
Take the old septic system out of service as the Health Department directs.

Sources: Harwich Sewer Use Regulations, Article III; Harwich Water Department wastewater page. Questions: Health Department 508-430-7509; Water Department 508-432-0304.

How much does a Harwich sewer connection cost, and how can you pay?

Estimated cost: the Cape Cod Chronicle reported connection at about $10,000 to $20,000, with the town covering the first grinder pump (source). That's a reported estimate, not a quote.

AquiFund loans: Barnstable County's Cape Cod AquiFund offers betterment loans at 0%, 2%, 4% and 5% for up to 20 years. The 0% and 2% rates are only for new sewer connections at owner-occupied, year-round homes. Homes listed for sale, or expected to be listed within 12 months, get 5% only. AquiFund says terms are subject to change without notice; phone (774) 330-3010. Harwich Septic Help is not a lender or loan broker.

Not in a sewer phase, or years away from one? See how Cape homeowners pay for a failed septic system and our septic repair page.

How Harwich Septic Help works

Tell us what is going on. Use the short form: your town, the problem, and how urgent it is. It takes about a minute.
We work on matching your request with one independent provider who serves your town and must hold that town's permit. In Harwich, septage haulers need a Board of Health permit and Title 5 inspectors must be on the town's approved list, so ask the provider to confirm they are on the current list.
The provider contacts you directly, quotes the job and does the work. Price, scheduling and the work are between you and the provider. The referral is free to you; the provider may pay us a fee.

We are not a septic company, inspector or installer, we do not have an office you can visit, and we do not publish reviews or prices we cannot verify.

Request a call back from a local septic provider

Tell us your town and what is going on. We work on matching your request with an independent septic provider serving your area, who must hold the required town permit and contacts you directly. There is no charge to you for the referral.

Sewage backing up or septic alarm sounding? We have not yet confirmed a provider, so call a licensed septic hauler now from the Town of Harwich licensed septic hauler list. You can still send a request marked Emergency — today.

Frequently asked questions

When will Harwich Phase 3A sewer be finished?

The Cape Cod Chronicle reported that Phase 3A construction (Great Sand Lakes and parts of Queen Anne Road) began in July 2026 with contractor Dig It LLC, under an $11.63 million contract, and will take 2 to 2.5 years. Construction schedules can change, so check the Harwich Water Department.

How long do I have to connect after an Order-to-Connect letter?

According to the Harwich Water Department FAQ and the Cape Cod Chronicle, owners get 2 years to connect after the town sends its notice (sent after MassDEP approval of the completed work).

How much does it cost to connect to Harwich sewer?

The Cape Cod Chronicle reported an estimate of $10,000 to $20,000 to connect, with the town covering the first grinder pump. That is a reported estimate, not a quote; your cost depends on your property.

Who can install my sewer connection in Harwich?

Under Harwich's Sewer Use Regulations, only a Licensed Utility Installer may build the building sewer, after the owner gets a building sewer permit and pays the permit, inspection and connection fees. The owner pays all installation and connection costs. The Health Department publishes the licensed utility installer list.

Does the town pay for my grinder pump?

Harwich's regulations say the town provides one outdoor simplex grinder pump for each residential property that had a septic system with an occupancy permit when the sewer contract for that area began. You must request it within 3 years of the pump bid opening or the first Order to Connect, whichever is later, and sign a transfer and maintenance agreement; maintenance and replacement are then the owner's responsibility.

Can I use an AquiFund loan to connect to sewer?

Barnstable County's Cape Cod AquiFund lists 0% and 2% betterment loans, up to 20 years, for new sewer connections at owner-occupied year-round homes. Homes listed for sale, or expected to be listed within 12 months, get the 5% rate only. Terms are subject to change; call AquiFund at (774) 330-3010 to confirm.

Sources

Facts on this page come from these official and public sources. Rules change; confirm with your local Board of Health.