On the slopes of Etna, many homes are not connected to public sewage or water networks. That means cisterns for potable water and Imhoff or septic systems for wastewater.
What you need to verify
- Water source: well, municipal delivery, or rainwater collection.
- Tank condition: material, capacity, and contamination risk.
- Septic system: type, sizing, and legal discharge permits.
Why upgrades are common
Older systems are undersized for modern usage, lack filters, or do not meet current discharge standards. Upgrades can be required to get permits for renovation or short-term rentals.
Modernizing without overspending
- Assess actual water consumption and occupancy.
- Redesign storage and filtration to match usage.
- Confirm legal discharge and maintenance schedule.
The risk of ignoring it
Without a compliant system you can face delays, fines, or an inability to operate legally. This is a technical risk, not a lifestyle detail.
We treat water and septic systems as core infrastructure, not optional accessories.