{"id":1787,"date":"2023-04-14T20:10:37","date_gmt":"2023-04-15T00:10:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/alleghany\/?page_id=1787"},"modified":"2023-04-14T20:10:37","modified_gmt":"2023-04-15T00:10:37","slug":"rcahd-onsite-sewage-septic-and-well-water-program-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/alleghany\/rcahd-onsite-sewage-septic-and-well-water-program-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"RCAHD Onsite Sewage (Septic) and Well Water Program FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-size: 15pt\">How do I apply for an onsite sewage system?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>For residents of Botetourt, Roanoke City and County, and Salem:<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-10345 \" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/128\/2023\/04\/septic-graphic.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"288\" height=\"422\" \/><\/div>\n<p><strong>1. <\/strong>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:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A non-residential sewage system<\/li>\n<li>A system that will use over 1,000 gallons per day<\/li>\n<li>An alternative system<\/li>\n<li>An onsite sewage system design that requires a professional engineer<\/li>\n<li>Certification letters<\/li>\n<li>Voluntary upgrade permit<\/li>\n<li>Subdivision reviews<\/li>\n<li>Properties that are not intended to serve as the owner(s)\u2019 principal place of residence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> Submit a completed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/Septic-and-Well-Application-8-11-19-1.pdf\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage Disposal System and\/or Private Well Construction Permit<\/span><\/a>.<br \/>\nSeptic and well applications can be combined. Confirm that applicable boxes at the top of the application are checked.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.<\/strong> Provide a copy of all supporting work from the DPOR licensed private sector consultant.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4.<\/strong> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated\/have-you-considered-using-the-private-sector\/onsite-sewage-forms\/onsite-sewage-and-well-fee-information\/\">Pay the required application fee<\/a>.<\/span> (see link)<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 15pt\">What steps can be taken if I can\u2019t afford to hire a private consultant or prefer the health department to design my system?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>1.<\/strong> Complete a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/07\/Petition-for-Services-v.4.pdf\">Petition for VDH Services Form for approval.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>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.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2.<\/strong> If your Petition for VDH Services is approved, the next steps of the process include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Submit a completed<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/Septic-and-Well-Application-8-11-19-1.pdf\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"> Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage Disposal<\/span> System and\/or Private Well Construction Permit<\/a>. Septic and well applications can be combined.<\/li>\n<li>Submit a surveyed plat of the property, or complete a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/05\/Request-for-Survey-Waiver.pdf\">Request for a Waiver to the Survey Requirement form<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Submit a site sketch to include 1) property lines, 2) location of actual and\/or proposed buildings and 3) desired location of sewage system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 15pt\">What are the steps for a replacement of an existing well?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke County residents are eligible to receive evaluation and design services from the health department.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Submit a completed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/Septic-and-Well-Application-8-11-19-1.pdf\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage Disposal<\/span>System and\/or Private Well Construction Permit<\/a>. Check \u201cWater Supply\u201d at the top of the application.<\/li>\n<li>Complete a <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/07\/Petition-for-Services-v.4.pdf\">Petition for VDH Services Form<\/a><\/span>.<\/li>\n<li>Submit a site sketch to include 1) property lines, 2) location of actual and\/or proposed buildings and 3) desired location of well.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated\/have-you-considered-using-the-private-sector\/onsite-sewage-forms\/onsite-sewage-and-well-fee-information\/\">Pay required fee.<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Roanoke City and Salem City residents do not automatically qualify for evaluation and design services from the health department and should take these steps:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Complete a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/Septic-and-Well-Application-8-11-19-1.pdf\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage Disposal System<\/span> and\/or Private Well Construction Permit<\/a> (check box for \u201cWater Supply\u201d at top of application) along with all supporting work from the DPOR licensed private sector consultant.<\/li>\n<li>If you would like to petition VDH for services, complete a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/07\/Petition-for-Services-v.4.pdf\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Petition for VDH Services<\/span> Form<\/a> for approval.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated\/have-you-considered-using-the-private-sector\/onsite-sewage-forms\/onsite-sewage-and-well-fee-information\/\">Pay required fee.<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 15pt\">What steps can be taken if I need to abandon my well?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you are abandoning your well only and this is your principal place of residence, submit a completed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/Septic-and-Well-Application-8-11-19-1.pdf\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage Disposal System and\/or Private<\/span> Well Construction Permit<\/a>. Check \u201cWater Supply\u201d at the top of the application. No fee will be charged.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 15pt\">What steps need to be taken for septic system problems that require a repair?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maintenance items <strong>do not require a repair permit<\/strong> from the health department:\n<ul>\n<li>replacement of pumps, filters, motors, sewer or conveyance lines (does not include drainfield piping)<\/li>\n<li>distribution boxes for a <strong>conventional onsite system<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The following items <strong>require a repair permit<\/strong> from the health department:\n<ul>\n<li>replacement of tanks, drainfield piping, subsurface drainfields or work requiring a construction permit and installer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If health department staff verify that you need a repair, the next steps include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Submit a completed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/08\/Septic-and-Well-Application-8-11-19-1.pdf\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Commonwealth of Virginia Application for a Sewage Disposal<\/span> System and\/or Private Well Construction Permit<\/a> and check the \u201cSewage System\u201d box at the top of the application.<\/li>\n<li>Provide a copy of all supporting work from the DPOR licensed private sector consultant.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated\/have-you-considered-using-the-private-sector\/onsite-sewage-forms\/onsite-sewage-and-well-fee-information\/\">Pay required fee.<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 15pt\">What are the options if I can\u2019t 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?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You may qualify for services from VDH in certain circumstances. Complete a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/07\/Petition-for-Services-v.4.pdf\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Petition for VDH<\/span> Services Form<\/a> if:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or<\/li>\n<li>a private consultant is not available in a timely manner, provide detailed information in the VDH Hardship Guidelines section labeled \u201cOther\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 15pt\">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?<\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Contact the local building department to obtain a building permit.<\/li>\n<li>The local building department will ask the health department to determine if the existing private system is safe, adequate and proper (\u201cSAP\u201d).<\/li>\n<li>Complete and submit the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/05\/Request-for-Health-Department-Review-SAP.pdf\">SAP Application<\/a><\/span>.<\/li>\n<li>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.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 15pt\">Visit the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated\/\">VDH Division of Onsite Water &amp; Wastewater Services<\/a><\/span> for more information about private septic systems<\/span><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":450,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1787","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>RCAHD Onsite Sewage (Septic) and Well Water Program FAQ - Alleghany Health District<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/alleghany\/rcahd-onsite-sewage-septic-and-well-water-program-faq\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"RCAHD Onsite Sewage (Septic) and Well Water Program FAQ - Alleghany Health District\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"How do I apply for an onsite sewage system? 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