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In Fairfax County, sanitary sewers (which carry wastewater) and stormwater sewers are two different systems. You can download this diagram to see examples of correct and incorrect connections to the sanitary sewer system. You will also see where private property owners are responsible for maintenance and where the county takes over.
A building or structure must be in the approved sewer service area to connect to the sanitary sewer system. In addition, public sewer access must be available for the property. In 1979, the Board of Supervisors (BOS adopted a policy about sewer service areas. The policy states that the sewer service area boundary includes the land immediately next to areas that can be served by the smallest allowable gravity lines. Any extension of a sewer line across the approved sewer service area cannot exceed 400 feet or have a manhole depth of 12 feet. Exceptions must be approved by the (BOS).
If someone needs public sewer service but they are more than 400 feet outside the approved sewer service area (ASSA), the ASSA must be expanded. The BOS must review and approve this expansion. An expansion might be approved if a building has a broken or failing on-site sewage system that creates serious health risks to people or the environment. To expand the ASSA, the BOS also requires proof of health or environmental issues, confirmed by the Health Department.
Historically, the BOS has not approved expanding the ASSA for new developments or redevelopment projects. The process to expand the ASSA begins with the Department of Planning and Development, working together with Wastewater Management.
To request public sewer extension beyond 400 feet outside the ASSA, please contact the Department of Planning and Development at 703-324-1380, TTY 711. The above conditions must be met.
Questions about the Fairfax County Sewer Service Area?
Call the Wastewater Planning and Monitoring Division at 703-324-5015, TTY 711.
Public Sanitary Sewer Availability
Public Sanitary Sewer Availability
Wastewater from a building must flow by gravity to the sanitary sewer system if public sewer service is available. According to Chapter 65, Article 6 of the Fairfax County Code, a sanitary sewer main is considered available when it is within the following distances:
For single-family homes (attached or detached): The sewer main must be within 300 feet of the building.
For all other types of buildings: The sewer main must be within 500 feet of the building.
Pumped sewage systems are only allowed in rare cases. It must be proven that connecting to the sanitary sewer with a gravity system is not technically possible.
If public sewer lines need to be extended, it must be paid for by the property owner requesting the connection.
When sewer service is determined to be available for a property, a permit is required to connect the building to the system.
Only a licensed plumber is allowed to get a permit to make the connection (or "tap") to the sewer main. However, if there is an existing spur, the homeowner is allowed to connect to the spur and install the sewer line leading to the house. Permit for this work is issued by the Land Development Services Department.
Payment for the availability charge is not allowed for any project or property that is not located in the approved sewer service area. This rule has been in effect since September 25, 1986.
For information about which charges apply to a specific property, contact the Wastewater Planning and Monitoring Division at 703-324-5015, TTY 711. You can also visit their public service counter at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 358, Fairfax, VA 22035, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon.
If a direct service connection is being made to a sanitary sewer manhole, it must be inspected by the Wastewater Collection Division. The plumber is required to call the Wastewater Collection Division at **703-250-2003, TTY 711** at least 48 hours before making the connection.
Abandoning a Septic Field
Abandoning A Septic Field
If you are going to abandon a septic field, contact the Health Department at 703-246-2201, TTY 711 for more information.
Cap Off Sanitary Sewer
Cap Off Sanitary Sewer
Before tearing down a residential or commercial property connected to the public sewer system, you must get a sewer cap-off permit and pass a final inspection from the Land Development Services Department. Only after these steps are completed can a demolition permit be issued.
Low-pressure sewer systems use grinder pumps to break down sewage from some homes, similar to how kitchen garbage disposals work. The pumps then push the sewage through small pipes to the Wastewater Collection System. These systems are typically used in areas where gravity-based sewer pipes can’t be installed.