(Biosolids Program | Marina Program)
The Division of Wastewater Engineering within the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) administers the the Biosolids Use Regulations and the Sanitary Regulations for Marinas and Boat Moorings. The regulatory services provided by the Division of Wastewater Engineering (DWE) are provided to the citizens of the Commonwealth to ensure that public health and environmental resources are not endangered due to improper management of sewage and biosolids.
The Division of Wastewater Engineering (DWE) conducts a statewide program for Regulation of Biosolids Use. The Biosolids Use Regulations establish standards for permitting the land application and the distribution and marketing of biosolids. The Biosolids Use Regulation and Marina Sanitation programs as administered through the DWE involve technical assistance and permitting activities. The Biosolids Use Program is administered by DWE in close cooperation with other state agencies including: the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). The Marina Regulations establish uniform requirements for the provision and operation of onshore sewerage receiving and treatment facilities to protect public health and improve water quality. The Marina Program, is administered by DWE in close coordination with Local Health Departments, the Division of Shellfish Sanitation, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), so that adequate sanitary and sewage facilities can be furnished at marinas and other places where boats are moored. The Federal Clean Vessel Act (CVA) grant program and the Boating Infrastructure (BIG) grant programs are also administered through the Marina Program.
Sewage Collection and Treatment Area Services are now managed by six (6) Environmental Engineers with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as listed under the program staff link on this page. The DEQ Office of Wastewater Engineering (OWE) Program information is located at: www.deq.state.va.us/wastewater. Sewage Collection and Treatment services to be provided by DEQ include technical evaluation of proposals, reports, plans and specifications submitted in support of permits to construct and operate sewage collection and treatment facilities. In addition, technical assistance is provided to owners and their consultants to develop the most cost effective technology that can be reasonably operated to provide reliable performance in compliance with permit requirements.
