§32.1-164 of the Code of Virginia will specify that the State Board of Health shall regulate on-site sewage treatment and disposal and biosolids use.
§62.1-44.18 of the Code of Virginia will specify that all sewerage systems and sewage treatment works shall be under the general supervision of the State Water Control Board (SWCB)and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
§62.1-44.19 of Chapter 3.1, Title 62.1 Code of Virginia specifies that before any owner may erect, construct, open, expand or operate a sewerage system or sewage treatment works which will have a potential discharge or actual discharge to state waters, such owner shall file with the SWCB (DEQ) an application for a certificate. Before issuing the certificate, the DEQ consults with and gives consideration to the written recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) pertaining to the protection of public health. Upon completion of advertising, the DEQ determines whether the application is complete. After the certificate has been issued by the SWCB, the owner must acquire from DEQ, (i) authorization to construct the systems or works for which the SWCB has issued a discharge certificate and (ii) upon completion of construction, authorization to operate the sewerage system or sewage treatment works. These authorizations are to be obtained in accordance with the SCAT regulations which are to be promulgated by the SWCB.
The SCAT Regulations govern the design, construction and operation of sewerage systems and treatment works serving more than one residence or a non-residential sewage source. The goals of these regulations are as follows:
1.) To ensure that the design, construction and operation of sewage collection systems and treatment works are consistent with public health and water quality objectives of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
2.) To establish a basis for evaluating the design of sewage collection systems and treatment works.
3.) To assist the owner or the owner's authorized engineer in the preparation of an application, plans, specifications, reports and other data.
4.) To establish the minimum requirements and limiting factors utilized by the DEQ for a technical evaluation of plans and specifications required for construction of sewage collection systems and treatment works.
5.) To establish procedures which facilitate the expeditious technical evaluation of plans, specifications and other documents.
6.) To guide the DEQ in the determination of whether a Construction Permit for a sewerage system or treatment works should be issued.
7.) To guide the DEQ in the determination of whether an Operation Permit should be issued for a sewage collection system or treatment works.