Our commune has given five days notice of a meeting of home owners of a proposal to create a new sewage system to which we must pay €1600. We presently have a fully compliant "fosse septic". To connect with the proposed system we ill have to build about 100m pipeline and pump uphill. Does the commune have powers to enforce this?
Already Tried: We have an appointment with the mayor to look at our problem
Yes, if a new sewage (tout à l'égout) system is put in place, you must connect your house to it within 2 years unless you can justify that it is technically impossible (having to build a 100 m pipeline and to pump uphill is not likely to be considered as technically impossible) Code de la santé publique article L1331-1.
If you do not comply, your sewage taxe (relevance d'assainissement) will be upped by 100% and the commune can have the works done at your expense (usually not the cheapest way to do things, as hefty "management costs" can be levied)
Fosse septique are to be used ONLY if a sewage system is not available.
Experience: 8 years as a Senior judge at Paris Conseil de Prud'hommes (Paris Industrial Tribunal)