Virginia Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Pump Out Program & Requirements
Routine inspections and pumping your septic tank are crucial for catching issues with your system before they lead to pollution. A typical septic system should be inspected and pumped every three to five years. The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act requires all onsite sewage systems be inspected/pumped out at least once every five years.
In 2022, the General Assembly approved legislation (HB 769) that directed the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to manage and enforce Chesapeake Bay septic tank pump-out requirements within the Three Rivers and Eastern Shore health districts. Previously, this enforcement was the responsibility of the local governments. This legislation takes effect July 1, 2023, and includes a requirement for maintenance providers to report pump-outs within those districts using a web-based reporting system developed by VDH. To implement this reporting tool, VDH made changes to the existing MyHD platform. While the legislation specifically identifies the two health districts as a pilot program, the MyHD portal will accept pump-out reports and other maintenance information from licensed/permitted providers from across the Commonwealth.
More information about the VDH Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act Pump-Out Program can be found at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-system-pump-out-reports/.