The onsite sewage (septic) and well water program ensures public health protection through:
- Protection of surface and ground water to ensure safe drinking water
- Permitting of private wells and sewage disposal systems, and
- Investigating reports of improper sewage disposal to protect public health and groundwater.
Applying for an Onsite Sewage System and/or Private Well Construction Permit or Certification Letter
Application for a Sewage Disposal System and/or Private Well Construction Permit or a Certification Letter must be accompanied by supporting work from a private sector consultant who is properly licensed to do such work through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).
Application Form: Sewage System and Well Application-editable
Onsite Soil Evaluators commonly provide evaluation and design services for residential and small commercial systems.
The services of a Professional Engineer may also be necessary for certain alternative designs, sewage systems receiving greater than 1000 gpd of wastewater, and for non-residential wastewater characterization. Only owners that submit a petition for services form and meet i) means testing requirements (household income does not exceed 100% of federal poverty guidelines) to apply for a repair sewage disposal system permit, or ii) a hardship contained in the Virginia Department of Health’s Hardship Guidelines, will be eligible to receive evaluation and design services from the Virginia Department of Health. For additional information, please visit Onsite Wastewater - Environmental Health (virginia.gov).
Additional Application Forms:
Petition for VDH Services Form
Applying for a Safe, Adequate, Proper Review for an existing sewage disposal system
Property owners that are planning to replace their home or expand living space for a residence served by an onsite sewage disposal system will need to have a Safe, Adequate, Proper review confirmed for their sewage disposal system. If residential development is proposed that exceed the number of bedrooms the sewage disposal system was designed to accommodate, it is necessary to obtain a construction permit to expand the existing sewage disposal system. Please see SAP Application Checklist - Piedmont Health District for the application form and checklists of documents that need to be provided to your local Health Department to begin this process.
Applying for a Subdivision Lot Review
The Health Department provides subdivision lot review for proposed land divisions by request of County Zoning Official and when all documents are received to proceed with a review. Please see Subdivision Application Requirements - Piedmont for the application form and checklists of documents that need to be provided to your local Health Department to begin this process.
Professional Contacts
Sewage - Onsite Soil Evaluator List
Sewage System & Water Well Installers
Septic System and Private Well Service Providers
Other Links
VA Department of Health
www.vdh.virginia.gov
Virginia Cooperative Extension
www.ext.vt.edu
VA Department of Environmental Quality
www.deq.state.va.us/
Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov