The Environmental Health Department provides site evaluation for design and permitting of septic systems and wells. The environmental health staff assists in providing health education to the community with regards to safe food handling practices, lead, radon and other environmental concerns. Other duties include inspections of daycares, adult care facilities, school cafeterias, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, festival and fair vendors, campgrounds, summer camps, migrant labor camps, and marinas. We are also responsible for investigating West Nile Virus reports, animal bites and general environmental complaints. View the New River Health District’s restaurant inspections online
Fees
The Virginia Department of Health Onsite Sewage and Water Supply Program and the New River Health District provide a number of free services to the community including:
- plan reviews for local governments
- courtesy reviews of private sector work
- engineering plan reviews
- construction inspections of wells and sewage systems
- site and soil evaluations
- sanitary surveys
- designs of certain onsite sewage disposal systems
- complaint investigations
- reviews of private sector work
Additionally, there are no application fees for owners whose adjusted gross income is below the federal poverty guidelines, all services are free. The Virginia Department of Health and the New River Health District do charge fees for customers applying for Construction Permits of various types for Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems and Private Water Supplies, including repairs, as well as customer’s applying for Establishment Permits (i.e. Restaurants, Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, Campgrounds and Summer Camps) and the Plan Review associated with a given establishment. For a schedule of fees for specific applications, please select a link below:
Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems and/or Private Wells (by locality): Floyd County; Giles County; Montgomery County; Pulaski County; Radford City
Establishment and Plan Review (for all localities in the NRHD): Plan review fees for hotels, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, summer camps, and campgrounds are $40 each and then an additional $40 for the permit fee. Thereafter, the annual permit fee for these establishments will also be $40 each. Please note: Plan Review Fees are non-refundable.
Applications
On-Site Sewage Disposal and Wells:
- Sewage and Well Application
- Well & Septic Sketch and Check-off List (must be completed with application)
- Tips On Marking Your Property
- Sewage Handler Application
- Regulations for Sewage Handlers
- Subdivision Application (for Owner and County)
Food Service Establishments:
- New Establishment Plan Review Application (for new or remodeled establishments)
- Permitted Establishment Annual Permit Renewal Application
Mobile Food Establishments:
Temporary Food Events: Temporary Food Event Packet
Check the following links for additional information: Department of General Services – Certified Laboratories VA Tech Extension – Water Testing
Other Health Permits/Applications:
- Migrant Labor Camp Permit Application
- Hotel Plan Review Application
- Hotel Operation Permit Application
- Campground Plan Review Application
- Campground Operation Permit Application
- Summer Camp Application
- Petition for VDH Services
News of Interest
Private Well Regulations
The Virginia Department of Health proposes to amend the Private Well Regulations. The first of these two amendments establishes an express geothermal permit, allowing the construction of wells used solely for closed loop geothermal heating systems. The second amendment establishes minimum well yield and storage requirements for residential drinking water wells. The enabling legislation was unopposed during the 2009 General Assembly and the language of the amendments tracks the language in the Code as closely as possible. VDH has worked closely with the Virginia Water Well Association in the drafting of these amendments and believes that the amendments accomplish the minimum requirements of the 2009 legislation. Read the proposed amendments to the Private Well Regulations