Public Water Systems
The VDH Office of Drinking Water (ODW) protects public health and helps ensure all Virginians have a safe and adequate supply of drinking water. ODW regulates public water sources in Virginia. For more information, please visit their website. To search test results for public water supplies, please visit the Drinking Water Viewer.
Private Wells
Environmental health staff provides assistance to property owners who have or desire to have private wells on their property. They assist with required activities and issue, upon proper documentation and payment of fees, permits for private wells. Each county health department maintains records on properties with private wells. Applications with supporting documentation are submitted by a licensed Onsite Soil Evaluator (OSE) for the construction of new wells and the abandonment of existing wells. Work with your OSE to determine what assistance is needed and how to execute it properly.
For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Health website about Water and Wastewater Services.
Well Applications:
Well ONLY Permit Application Cover Page
Well ONLY Construction Drawing Page
For more information on private well regulations and forms, please visit: Onsite Sewage Forms and Application Fees.
Onsite Septic & Sewage Disposal
Environmental health staff provides assistance to residents who desire to or already have onsite sewage disposal systems on their own property. This assistance includes providing the activities, referral and documentation necessary to obtain required permits for onsite sewage disposal. Each county health department maintains records on properties with onsite sewage disposal systems. Applications with supporting documentation are submitted by a licensed Onsite Soil Evaluator (OSE) after a drain field has been designed. Work with your OSE to determine what assistance is needed and how to execute it properly. Note: if you have an alternative septic system is in place, it must be inspected annually.
For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Health website about Water and Wastewater Services.
Sewage Disposal Applications:
Application for a Sewage Disposal System and/or Private Well Construction Permit
For more information on sewage disposal regulations and forms, please visit: Onsite Sewage Forms and Application Fees.
Petition for VDH Services
Beginning July 11, 2019, applicants seeking evaluation and design services from VDH must submitted a petition for VDH Services and meet means testing criteria or the VDH Hardship Guidelines.
Applicants whose family income falls below the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for a fee waiver. Applicants for onsite sewage system repairs or voluntary upgrades whose family income falls below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines will be eligible for a fee waiver.
Petition for VDH Services Form
Contact your local health department for more information about fees.
Environmental Health Records Search
Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), requests for onsite sewage disposal and/or private well records within the Lord Fairfax Health District can be made using the form below. You may be charged based on the amount of time to research, pull, and copy records required to meet the request. A $5 fee is applied for each search, however a homeowner requesting records for themselves are not charged. Submit completed forms to the appropriate health department.