The Division of Onsite Sewage and Water Services is responsible for effectively adopting and implementing regulations governing private wells and onsite wastewater treatment and disposal. The division provides guidance, training, technical assistance, and administrative support to over 300 field staff. We also foster and maintain communication with an onsite community made up of contractors, engineers, soil scientists, pumpers, academics, manufacturers, builders, real estate agents, and most especially, homeowners.
The mission of Division of Onsite Sewage of Water Services is to protect public health and ground water quality. This is best achieved by implementing an onsite wastewater program based on sound scientific, engineering, and public health principles. We also strive to maintain effective communication in the onsite community, and the division is using this website as one method to keep interested parties informed on new developments, regulations, and policy decisions.
The Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) onsite sewage and water supply program offers many services, including:
VDH does not charge for many of the above services, but customers do pay for VDH’s work to process two types of applications:
Prior to 2002, the VDH charged $75 to process onsite sewage applications and $40 to process water supply applications. Since 2002, VDH charged $112.50 and $77.50 respectively for these services.
During the 2008 Virginia General Assembly session, VDH was prompted to examine its costs for processing the two types of applications. VDH calculated its costs and suggested new fees to reflect its cost of service. After a public process, the state approved the proposed fees in the 2008 budget bill. The new fees are as follows:
| Service | Fee | |
Process application to construct onsite sewage system (less than 1,000 gpd): |
|
|
with supporting AOSE/PE work |
$200 |
|
without supporting AOSE/PE work |
$355 |
|
Process application to construct private water supply: |
$205 |
|
Process application for certification letter (less than 1,000 gpd): |
|
|
with supporting AOSE/PE work |
$200 |
|
without supporting AOSE/PE work |
$300 |
|
Process application for certification letter (greater than 1,000 gpd): |
$1,075 |
|
Process application to construct onsite sewage system (greater than 1,000 gpd):* |
$1,075 |
|
Process application to construct single family alternative discharging system: |
|
|
with supporting AOSE/PE work |
$200 |
|
without supporting AOSE/PE work |
$355 |
|
*Applications for larger onsite sewage systems (those greater than 1,000 gallons per day) require engineering plans and specifications. These applications are usually for commercial projects or multiple housing units connected to one sewage system and account for less than two percent of all applications that the VDH receives in any given year.
Customers will continue to enjoy the following free services from VDH:
Some local governments charge an additional fee for onsite sewage and water supply applications to support local programs and needs. For more information about the VDH user fee increase, or to find out whether your local county has instituted an additional fee, please contact the Environmental Health Manager at your local health department:
Updated June 2008