Health Department Alert:
Onsite sewage systems, commonly referred to as septic systems, are a safe and effective means of wastewater disposal when properly designed, installed and maintained.
However, system failures can and do occur. Failures can be caused by bad system design, improper maintenance, or simply because the system has reached the end of its life expectancy.
If not functioning properly, a septic system can pose significant health risks to people, pets, and the environment by discharging untreated sewage onto neighboring yards or nearby creeks or ditches.
Fairfax County Health Department's Onsite Sewage and Water Program administers state and local regulations for sewage disposal systems and private well water supplies to ensure proper construction, operation and maintenance in Fairfax County. We perform a wide variety of activities to carry out this oversight that include:
Soil tests are conducted to determine if the soil conditions can accept and treat waste water.
The site evaluation process begins when a homeowner hires a local soil scientist to conduct preliminary soil investigations and submits an application using PLUS. The information is submitted to the Health Department and is reviewed by one of its Environmental Health Specialists. The Environmental Health Specialist travels to the site to review the private sector Soil Scientist’s evaluation in order to determine the feasibility of constructing an onsite sewage disposal system.
Important Notice: In accordance with the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act, all appointments that require Health Department personnel to probe, auger or otherwise "excavate" on the property will be scheduled no sooner than three working days from the date of request to allow for utility clearance.
Soil evaluations for proposed shallow-type onsite sewage disposal systems can only be conducted during months when the average rainfall meets or exceeds a certain amount. Fairfax County's Individual Sewage Disposal Facilities code sets the amount at "the long-term monthly composite average rainfall from Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport."
If it has been more than 5 years, or you don't remember when the last time was, it is time to have your septic tank pumped. See the Sewage Handling Contractor List below for a list of companies who offer this service.
Chapter 68.1 of the Fairfax County Code states that all onsite sewage systems not requiring a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit shall have the septic tank pumped out a minimum of once every five (5) years.
Once pumped, contractors must enter the pump-out details into PLUS using the Pump-Out Entry Record. Watch Pump-Out Entry in PLUS for more information.
Alternative Onsite Sewage Systems are required to be inspected and sampled by a qualified Alternative Onsite Sewage System Operator within 180 days from the date of system approval. The system must then be inspected annually and sampled once every five years. A list of operators is available below.
Alternative Onsite Sewage System Operators should submit inspection reports to the Health Department by the 15th of the month following the inspection.
SepticSmart Week is an annual event that brings attention to the importance of caring for and maintaining septic system.
Proper septic system use and routine care are vital to protecting public health, preserving the quality of groundwater, and avoiding costly repairs that can result from neglect. SepticSmart is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program that educates homeowners about the need for proper septic system use and routine maintenance.
Bored Well (Bottom)
When centralized, municipal water systems are unavailable to properties, a private well water system can be installed to provide a safe drinking water source. A private well water system is an adequate alternative to a public water supply if installed properly.
An application for a well water supply must be submitted through PLUS. Upon review of submitted application and approval by the Health Department, a permit to construct a private well will be issued in accordance with all applicable regulations under Fairfax County’s Chapter 70.1 The Private Well Water Ordinance. Fairfax County’s Chapter 70.1 The Private Well Water Ordinance.
If your home’s water supply comes from a well, you are responsible for your water’s safety.
Keep your well protected from contamination. Potential sources for groundwater contamination include overuse of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizer as well as leaking fuel oil or petroleum tanks. If your house is served by an onsite sewage disposal system and is not functioning properly, this can also become a concern.
All homeowners on a private well water system should have their well water tested annually for bacteriological and chemical contaminants to help prevent illness. Homeowners should also get their well water tested if they notice a change in the way the well water smells, tastes, if the water appearance changes, or if the land use around the property has changed. Private water wells should also be checked on a regular basis for any mechanical problems, any damage to the structure of the well, and if the water treatment systems are working properly (i.e., water softener, neutralizer, or UV light system).