On-Site Sewage and Water Services

The Prince William Health District Onsite Sewage and Water Services database is the repository for all of the historical documentation pertaining to onsite septic systems and private wells. The documents for each individual property are listed by street address and GPIN number. You may also search the database for key terms, names, dates, etc.

If you have any questions please contact the PWHD Onsite Sewage and Water Services at 703-792-6310 option 2.

NEWS OF INTEREST
House Bill 888 – Hardship Guidelines

Chapter 831 of the 2018 Virginia Acts of Assembly (House Bill 888) provides authority for VDH to gradually transition evaluation and design services for onsite sewage systems and private wells to the private sector.  House Bill 888 provides authority for VDH to continue providing evaluation and design services to applicants that meet income eligibility criteria specified in House Bill 888.  House Bill 888 also provides authority for VDH to establish hardship guidelines to maintain VDH as a provider of last resort for property owners who have difficulties in obtaining private sector services.

Per House Bill 888, VDH is required to post the draft hardship guidelines by November 1, 2018. You can find a copy of the initial draft hardship guidelines below.  It is important to note that final hardship guidelines will not be published until July 1, 2019.  VDH realizes there is significant interest in the development of these guidelines, and we would greatly appreciate your feedback on this initial draft.  You can submit your comments on the initial draft at https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=EHTPXLP4AP.  VDH plans to review comments received and post an updated draft of the hardship guidelines by January 4, 2019, with an additional opportunity for public comments.

If you have any questions regarding the initial draft, please feel free to contact Lance Gregory, Director of the Division of Onsite Sewage and Water Services, Environmental Engineering, and Marina Programs, at (804) 864-7491 or by email at Lance.Gregory@vdh.virginia.gov.

First Draft HB 888 Hardship Guidelines November 1, 2018

Water and Wells

The Prince William Health District is responsible for the oversight and regulation of sewage and water environmental health topics in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.  If you have questions or need assistance, call Environmental Health at 703-792-6310, option 2, or visit us at the Development Services Building, 5 County Complex Court, Suite 240, in Woodbridge.

There are a number of water clinics in various health districts.  It’s a great opportunity to spread the word and get a large number of people to test their private wells.

You can review testing dates and locations at this link:  http://www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu/events.php

Regular water well system maintenance is important. Knowing and practicing the basics of regular well maintenance can reduce risks to your water supply and prevent costly and inconvenient breakdowns. Properly constructed private water supply systems require little routine maintenance. These simple steps will help protect your system and investment.  Homeowner’s Maintenance Checklist

Sewage and Septic

The Prince William Health District is responsible for the oversight and regulation of certain sewage and water environmental health issues within Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. If you have questions or need assistance, please call Environmental Health at 703-792-6310 (Option 2), or visit us at the Development Services Building.

The Prince William County Code regarding onsite sewage disposal systems can be viewed through the following link: Prince William County Code of Ordinances . You can either click on Chapter 23 or do a search for Section 23-48, which pertains to the onsite sewage disposal systems. According to Section 23-48, onsite sewage disposal systems not requiring a Virginia Pollution Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit shall have pump-out accomplished at least once every five years.

Alternative Onsite Sewage Systems (AOSS)

Proper operation and maintenance of an AOSS is required by law and is necessary to ensure continued functioning of your alternative system and may prevent premature failure of the system. Operation and maintenance information for your alternative system may be found by contacting the original system designer, contacting the Prince William Health District or by visiting the VDH Manufacturers’ Instructions Website. For information on regulations for alternative onsite sewage systems (12 VAC 5-613-10 et seq.), click here.

Additional information and technical resources for onsite sewage professionals and the public can be found on the VDH Office of Environmental Health Services’ website.