1) Start with the address
This is the one that catches out-of-town homebuyers. A Granbury mailing address can still land you outside city limits, and that can change your utilities, your permits, and what you’re responsible for over time.
“We thought it was city sewer. Turns out it’s septic.” Or: “We assumed city services because it said Granbury.”
How to check it fast
- → Use the City’s Interactive Maps to confirm city limits and utility service areas: granbury.org/827/Interactive-Maps
- → If the address is outside city limits, treat septic/well verification as required, not optional.
Inside city limits usually means
- City permitting/inspections for many projects
- City utility setup is more common
- City rules can affect day-to-day items (like outdoor water use)
Outside city limits often means
- Septic ownership is part of the deal
- Wells show up more often by road and subdivision
- Driveway access and drainage matter more than people expect after heavy rain
Utilities by address: what you want to know in 2 minutes
- ✓ Is it sewer or septic? (aerobic = equipment & service visits)
- ✓ If septic, is it aerobic or conventional, and who maintained it?
- ✓ City water or well? Provider name (not just yes/no)
- ✓ What internet service is used at the home today (request a speed test screenshot)
If nobody can tell you sewer vs septic in one sentence, that’s normal. Ask for the most recent water bill (or provider name) and any septic paperwork the seller has. One of those usually clears it up fast.
If you hear “aerobic,” assume equipment and service visits. Don’t treat it like a basic tank-and-forget setup.
Pro tip
If you’re comparing two houses, do the address check first. Don’t compare sewer vs septic like they’re the same ownership reality.