How do I apply for an onsite sewage system?
For residents of Botetourt, Roanoke City and County, and Salem:
1. Contact a private sector consultant who is licensed to do septic work through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) when applying for one of the following septic systems:
- A non-residential sewage system
- A system that will use over 1,000 gallons per day
- An alternative system
- An onsite sewage system design that requires a professional engineer
- Certification letters
- Voluntary upgrade permit
- Subdivision reviews
- Properties that are not intended to serve as the owner(s)’ principal place of residence
2. Submit a completed Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage Disposal System and/or Private Well Construction Permit.
Septic and well applications can be combined. Confirm that applicable boxes at the top of the application are checked.
3. Provide a copy of all supporting work from the DPOR licensed private sector consultant.
4. Pay the required application fee. (see link)
What steps can be taken if I can’t afford to hire a private consultant or prefer the health department to design my system?
1. Complete a Petition for VDH Services Form for approval.
- If your household income is at or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify for income-based services. Eligibility will be based on documentation of all household gross income.
- Craig County or Alleghany County residents are eligible to receive evaluation and design services from the health department. (An application fee will be required unless you meet income guidelines.)
2. If your Petition for VDH Services is approved, the next steps of the process include:
- Submit a completed Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage Disposal System and/or Private Well Construction Permit. Septic and well applications can be combined.
- Submit a surveyed plat of the property, or complete a Request for a Waiver to the Survey Requirement form.
- Submit a site sketch to include 1) property lines, 2) location of actual and/or proposed buildings and 3) desired location of sewage system.
What are the steps for a replacement of an existing well?
Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke County residents are eligible to receive evaluation and design services from the health department.
- Submit a completed Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage DisposalSystem and/or Private Well Construction Permit. Check “Water Supply” at the top of the application.
- Complete a Petition for VDH Services Form.
- Submit a site sketch to include 1) property lines, 2) location of actual and/or proposed buildings and 3) desired location of well.
- Pay required fee.
Roanoke City and Salem City residents do not automatically qualify for evaluation and design services from the health department and should take these steps:
- Complete a Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage Disposal System and/or Private Well Construction Permit (check box for “Water Supply” at top of application) along with all supporting work from the DPOR licensed private sector consultant.
- If you would like to petition VDH for services, complete a Petition for VDH Services Form for approval.
- Pay required fee.
What steps can be taken if I need to abandon my well?
If you are abandoning your well only and this is your principal place of residence, submit a completed Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage Disposal System and/or Private Well Construction Permit. Check “Water Supply” at the top of the application. No fee will be charged.
What steps need to be taken for septic system problems that require a repair?
Contact your local health department to request a consultation with one of our onsite Environmental Health Specialists to help determine whether you need a repair permit.
- Maintenance items do not require a repair permit from the health department:
- replacement of pumps, filters, motors, sewer or conveyance lines (does not include drainfield piping)
- distribution boxes for a conventional onsite system
- The following items require a repair permit from the health department:
- replacement of tanks, drainfield piping, subsurface drainfields or work requiring a construction permit and installer
If health department staff verify that you need a repair, the next steps include:
- Submit a completed Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage Disposal System and/or Private Well Construction Permit and check the “Sewage System” box at the top of the application.
- Provide a copy of all supporting work from the DPOR licensed private sector consultant.
- Pay required fee.
What are the options if I can’t afford a private consultant to design a repair? Is any assistance available if a long wait delays a private consultant from evaluating my failing system?
You may qualify for services from VDH in certain circumstances. Complete a Petition for VDH Services Form if:
- your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or
- a private consultant is not available in a timely manner, provide detailed information in the VDH Hardship Guidelines section labeled “Other”
What steps can be taken if changes are made to existing home (such as adding an addition, replacing a mobile home, repairing a damaged home) with a functioning private septic system. Can I still use the existing septic system?
- Contact the local building department to obtain a building permit.
- The local building department will ask the health department to determine if the existing private system is safe, adequate and proper (“SAP”).
- Complete and submit the SAP Application.
- Pay required fee. (If your household income is at or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify for income-based services from the health department.)