350 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: What is the minimum setback distance from a septic tank to a private
water well? ANSWER 50 feet minimum from septic tank to private water well.
2. Q: Who has the authority to issue permits for onsite sewage systems in
Virginia? ANSWER The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) or authorized
local health departments.
3. Q: What is the minimum lot size required for a conventional septic
system? ANSWER Generally 1/2 acre (20,000 square feet), but varies by
locality.
4. Q: How long is a sewage disposal permit valid in Virginia? ANSWER
Typically 18 months from the date of issuance.
5. Q: What is required before installing an alternative onsite sewage
system? ANSWER A site evaluation, soil analysis, and approved permit from
VDH.
6. Q: What is the minimum setback from a septic tank to a dwelling?
ANSWER 10 feet minimum from septic tank to dwelling foundation.
7. Q: Who can perform soil evaluations for septic systems in Virginia?
ANSWER Licensed soil scientists, professional engineers, or certified onsite
soil evaluators.
8. Q: What is the minimum setback from a drainfield to a property line?
ANSWER 10 feet minimum from drainfield to property line.
9. Q: When is an alternative system required instead of conventional?
ANSWER When soil conditions, site constraints, or environmental factors
prevent use of conventional systems.
10. Q: What is the minimum setback from a septic system to surface
waters? ANSWER 100 feet minimum from any component to surface waters.
,11. Q: How often must alternative systems be inspected? ANSWER At least
annually, or as specified in the operation permit.
12. Q: What is required for a repair permit? ANSWER Site evaluation,
system assessment, and demonstration that repair will meet current standards.
13. Q: Who can install alternative onsite sewage systems in Virginia?
ANSWER Licensed onsite sewage system installers with appropriate
endorsements.
14. Q: What is the minimum setback from a pump tank to a well?
ANSWER 50 feet minimum from pump tank to water well.
15. Q: When is a construction permit required? ANSWER Before any
installation, modification, or repair of onsite sewage systems.
16. Q: What information must be included on a permit application?
ANSWER Site plan, soil evaluation, system design, installer information, and
property owner details.
17. Q: Who issues operation permits for alternative systems? ANSWER The
Virginia Department of Health or authorized agent.
18. Q: What is the penalty for installing without a permit? ANSWER Civil
penalties up to $32,500 per violation.
19. Q: How long must installation records be maintained? ANSWER
Minimum of 3 years after system installation.
20. Q: What is required for a variance from standard regulations?
ANSWER Demonstration of equivalent protection of public health and
environment.
21. Q: Who can design alternative onsite sewage systems? ANSWER
Professional engineers or other qualified designers approved by VDH.
22. Q: What is the minimum separation from basement foundations?
ANSWER 10 feet horizontal separation from any system component.
23. Q: When is a performance bond required? ANSWER For some
alternative systems as specified by VDH.
24. Q: What constitutes a failed septic system? ANSWER Surface discharge,
contamination of groundwater, or system backup.
25. Q: How are alternative system boundaries marked? ANSWER With
permanent markers placed at system corners and access points.
, 26. Q: What is required for installer licensing renewal? ANSWER
Continuing education credits and payment of renewal fees.
27. Q: Who regulates septage disposal in Virginia? ANSWER Virginia
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
28. Q: What is the minimum setback from a distribution box to a well?
ANSWER 50 feet minimum separation distance.
29. Q: When is environmental monitoring required? ANSWER For large
alternative systems or as specified in permits.
30. Q: What documentation is required at system startup? ANSWER
Startup report, performance testing, and operational verification.
31. Q: Who can perform system maintenance on alternative systems?
ANSWER Licensed service providers or qualified technicians.
32. Q: What is the required setback from steep slopes? ANSWER 25 feet
minimum from slopes greater than 25%.
33. Q: When must a site evaluation be updated? ANSWER If more than 2
years old or if site conditions have changed.
34. Q: What triggers a compliance inspection? ANSWER Complaints,
routine monitoring, or permit conditions.
35. Q: How are permit fees determined? ANSWER Based on system type,
complexity, and local fee schedules.
36. Q: What is required for installer certification maintenance? ANSWER
Annual continuing education and license renewal.
37. Q: Who approves new alternative technologies? ANSWER Virginia
Department of Health after review and testing.
38. Q: What constitutes proper permit posting? ANSWER Permit displayed
at job site during construction.
39. Q: When is a hydrogeologic study required? ANSWER For complex sites
or large alternative systems.
40. Q: What are the consequences of permit violations? ANSWER Stop
work orders, fines, and potential license suspension.
41. Q: How is system capacity determined? ANSWER Based on number of
bedrooms and occupancy calculations.
1. Q: What is the minimum setback distance from a septic tank to a private
water well? ANSWER 50 feet minimum from septic tank to private water well.
2. Q: Who has the authority to issue permits for onsite sewage systems in
Virginia? ANSWER The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) or authorized
local health departments.
3. Q: What is the minimum lot size required for a conventional septic
system? ANSWER Generally 1/2 acre (20,000 square feet), but varies by
locality.
4. Q: How long is a sewage disposal permit valid in Virginia? ANSWER
Typically 18 months from the date of issuance.
5. Q: What is required before installing an alternative onsite sewage
system? ANSWER A site evaluation, soil analysis, and approved permit from
VDH.
6. Q: What is the minimum setback from a septic tank to a dwelling?
ANSWER 10 feet minimum from septic tank to dwelling foundation.
7. Q: Who can perform soil evaluations for septic systems in Virginia?
ANSWER Licensed soil scientists, professional engineers, or certified onsite
soil evaluators.
8. Q: What is the minimum setback from a drainfield to a property line?
ANSWER 10 feet minimum from drainfield to property line.
9. Q: When is an alternative system required instead of conventional?
ANSWER When soil conditions, site constraints, or environmental factors
prevent use of conventional systems.
10. Q: What is the minimum setback from a septic system to surface
waters? ANSWER 100 feet minimum from any component to surface waters.
,11. Q: How often must alternative systems be inspected? ANSWER At least
annually, or as specified in the operation permit.
12. Q: What is required for a repair permit? ANSWER Site evaluation,
system assessment, and demonstration that repair will meet current standards.
13. Q: Who can install alternative onsite sewage systems in Virginia?
ANSWER Licensed onsite sewage system installers with appropriate
endorsements.
14. Q: What is the minimum setback from a pump tank to a well?
ANSWER 50 feet minimum from pump tank to water well.
15. Q: When is a construction permit required? ANSWER Before any
installation, modification, or repair of onsite sewage systems.
16. Q: What information must be included on a permit application?
ANSWER Site plan, soil evaluation, system design, installer information, and
property owner details.
17. Q: Who issues operation permits for alternative systems? ANSWER The
Virginia Department of Health or authorized agent.
18. Q: What is the penalty for installing without a permit? ANSWER Civil
penalties up to $32,500 per violation.
19. Q: How long must installation records be maintained? ANSWER
Minimum of 3 years after system installation.
20. Q: What is required for a variance from standard regulations?
ANSWER Demonstration of equivalent protection of public health and
environment.
21. Q: Who can design alternative onsite sewage systems? ANSWER
Professional engineers or other qualified designers approved by VDH.
22. Q: What is the minimum separation from basement foundations?
ANSWER 10 feet horizontal separation from any system component.
23. Q: When is a performance bond required? ANSWER For some
alternative systems as specified by VDH.
24. Q: What constitutes a failed septic system? ANSWER Surface discharge,
contamination of groundwater, or system backup.
25. Q: How are alternative system boundaries marked? ANSWER With
permanent markers placed at system corners and access points.
, 26. Q: What is required for installer licensing renewal? ANSWER
Continuing education credits and payment of renewal fees.
27. Q: Who regulates septage disposal in Virginia? ANSWER Virginia
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
28. Q: What is the minimum setback from a distribution box to a well?
ANSWER 50 feet minimum separation distance.
29. Q: When is environmental monitoring required? ANSWER For large
alternative systems or as specified in permits.
30. Q: What documentation is required at system startup? ANSWER
Startup report, performance testing, and operational verification.
31. Q: Who can perform system maintenance on alternative systems?
ANSWER Licensed service providers or qualified technicians.
32. Q: What is the required setback from steep slopes? ANSWER 25 feet
minimum from slopes greater than 25%.
33. Q: When must a site evaluation be updated? ANSWER If more than 2
years old or if site conditions have changed.
34. Q: What triggers a compliance inspection? ANSWER Complaints,
routine monitoring, or permit conditions.
35. Q: How are permit fees determined? ANSWER Based on system type,
complexity, and local fee schedules.
36. Q: What is required for installer certification maintenance? ANSWER
Annual continuing education and license renewal.
37. Q: Who approves new alternative technologies? ANSWER Virginia
Department of Health after review and testing.
38. Q: What constitutes proper permit posting? ANSWER Permit displayed
at job site during construction.
39. Q: When is a hydrogeologic study required? ANSWER For complex sites
or large alternative systems.
40. Q: What are the consequences of permit violations? ANSWER Stop
work orders, fines, and potential license suspension.
41. Q: How is system capacity determined? ANSWER Based on number of
bedrooms and occupancy calculations.
