Overview
Environmental Health Specialists (EHS’s) in the Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) work to protect drinking water and groundwater resources by ensuring proper handling and disposal of sewage and protection of drinking water supplies. A few examples of how public health is monitored and/or protected by EHS’s include:
- The issuance of sewage disposal system construction permits and the inspection of newly installed sewage disposal systems (and/or septic repairs) to ensure they are located and constructed properly.
- The issuance of construction permits for private wells (drinking water, irrigation and/or agricultural) to make sure they are located and constructed properly.
- The inspection and permitting of businesses (sewage handlers) that pump septic tanks and/or portable toilets and dispose of sewage.
- The investigation of reports and/or complaints of sewage or other kinds of groundwater and/or surface water contamination. The investigation usually leads to corrective actions, such as necessary septic repairs.
Septic Malfunctions and/or Failures
VDH defines a true septic malfunction and/or failure as sewage surfacing and/or backing up into the dwelling. If you have witnessed a septic malfunction, please contact your local Health Department immediately to report the malfunction. Each Health Department office will be able to provide you with a list of Private Onsite Soil Evaluators (OSEs) that can help evaluate your existing septic system, determine the appropriate septic repairs and/or upgrades, and provide you with a septic permit package to be provided to the Health Department for review and issuance of a septic permit (repair, voluntary upgrade, septic expansion, new build).
If you have questions regarding your septic system and/or private well(s), please contact your local Health Department. This includes requesting records on your existing septic system and/or private wells (i.e., septic system as-built drawings, well logs, recent repairs, etc.).
RAHD Environmental Health Department Offices:
City of Fredericksburg – (540) 899-4796 (septic/well records maintained by Stafford County office)
Caroline County – (804) 633-6237
King George County – (540) 775-3111
Spotsylvania County – (540) 507-7386
Stafford County – (540) 288-9018
If you would like to request septic and/or well records for a property located in the Rappahannock Area Health District, please use the following link:
Forms & Documents
VDH Onsite Sewage and Well Construction Application
Sewage Handling and Disposal Regulations
Alternative Sewage Disposal Regulations
RAHD Operation Permit Checklist
Alternative Systems Operations and Maintenance FAQs
Operation & Maintenance Providers
Onsite Sewage and Well Application Fees (Effective July 1, 2019) *
| Application Type | Fee |
| Construction permit for treatment works only, no OSE/PE documentation | $425 |
| Combined well and treatment works construction permit, no OSE/PE documentation | $725 |
| Certification letter with OSE/PE documentation, <= 1,000 gpd | $320 |
| Certification letter with OSE/PE documentation, > 1,000 gpd | $1,400 |
| Construction permit for only treatment works with OSE/PE documentation, <= 1,000 gpd | $225 |
| Construction permit for only treatment works with OSE/PE documentation, > 1,000 gpd | $1,400 |
| Combined well and treatment works construction permit with OSE/PE documentation, <= 1,000 gpd | $525 |
| Combined well and treatment works construction permit with OSE/PE documentation, > 1,000 gpd | $1,700 |
| Private well only, with or without OSE/PE documentation | $300 |
| New Fee Effective 7/1/19: Repair permit for a treatment works, < 1,000 gpd without OSE/PE documentation | $425 |
| New Fee Effective 7/1/19: Repair permit for a treatment works,< 1,000 gpd with OSE/PE documentation | $225 |
| New Fee Effective 7/1/19: Repair permit for a treatment works, > 1,000 gpd with OSE/PE documentation | $1,400 |
| New Fee Effective 7/1/19: Voluntary Upgrade for a treatment works, < 1,000 gpd with OSE/PE documentation | $225 |
| New Fee Effective 7/1/19: Voluntary Upgrade for a treatment works, > 1,000 gpd with OSE/PE documentation | $1,400 |
| New Fee Effective 7/1/19: Safe, adequate, and proper evaluation without OSE/PE/Installer/Operator documentation | $150 |
| New Fee Effective 7/1/19: Safe, adequate, and proper evaluation with OSE/PE/Installer/Operator documentation | $100 |
*These state fees do not include county fees that are to be paid to the county treasurer. Contact your local Health Department to acquire about county fees (if applicable).
Beginning July 11, 2019, applicants seeking evaluation and design services from VDH must submit a petition for VDH services and must 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. Contact your local Health Department for more information.
NOTICE: SWAP applications for direct projects closed on September 2, 2022. This is to ensure that all project applications received on or before that date are fully funded.