2022 marks the 10th anniversary of EPA’s SepticSmart program, a nation-wide initiative to share information on the proper care and maintenance of septic systems and encourage public stewardship in caring for these wastewater treatment systems.
Septic systems are common on the Northern Neck and the SepticSmart program provides an array of resources to help users and governmental types understand how to properly care for and use your septic system and how to maintain systems.
It's also a good time to remind those with septic systems that the state and county require five-year pump outs of septic tanks or show the installation of an effluent filter which has been documented as having been inspected and functioning properly.
For those interested in public policy, you might want to know that earlier this year, Virginia law was changed to transfer management and enforcement of onsite septic pump-outs from localities to the Virginia Department of Health. The change―mandate 1276, Onsite sewage pump-outs to be managed and enforced by VDH in specific localities―was made to Chapter 830. Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Designation and Management Regulations. According to the mandate,
This bill requires the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), effective July 1, 2023, to manage and enforce the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act’s and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Designation and Management Regulations’ requirements related to onsite sewage system pump-out compliance in Accomack, Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties and the incorporated towns within those counties.