The Emergency Regulations for alternative onsite sewage systems took effect on April 7, 2010 and expired on October 7, 2011. You can review the emergency regulations and associated documents here. The Honorable Attorney General William C. Mims offered an official advisory opinion on the emergency regulations, which you can read here. The Honorable Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, II offered an official advisory opinion on § 15.2-2157 at the request of The Honorable L. Scott Lingamfelter. You can view the opinion here.The Honorable Attoney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, II also offered an official advisory opinion on § 15.2-2157 at the request of The Honorable Stephen H. Martin. You can view the opinion here.
The Virginia Department of Health convened a series of technical advisory committee meetings to seek input for proposed regulations. You can view information about those meetings here. You can view the proposed regulations here.
The Board of Health adopted final regulations for alternative onsite sewage systems on June 9, 2011. The final regulations were promulgated and took effect on December 7, 2011. You can find information about the final regulations here. You can view a copy of the regulations here.
Other related documents regarding the regulations for alternative onsite sewage systems can be found at these links:
IEN Final Report for the Emergency Regulations
Weldon Cooper's Findings on Owner Experiences using Onsite Sewage Systems in Virginia
Manufacturer’s Operation and Maintenance Instructions
In 2009, the Board of Health proposed amendments to the Private Well Regulations. The first of these amendments establishes an express geothermal permit, allowing the construction of wells used solely for closed loop geothermal heating systems. This amendment also provides that VDH will charge one fee for each geothermal heating system, regardless of teh total number of wells constructed. The second amendment establishes minimum well yield and storage requirements for residential drinking water wells. The 30-day final adoption period for these amendments ended on August 1, 2012, and the Private Well Regulations, as amended, took effect on August 16, 2012. You can read the amended regulations here. The first amendment can be found in 12 VAC 5-630-271 and 12 VAC 5-630-272. The second amendment can be found in 12 VAC 5-630-460.
The Board of Health has proposed amendments to 12 VAC 5-640. You can find read the proposed amendments to the regulations here.
The Board of Health is updating the Fee Regulations. You can find read the proposed amendments to the regulations here.
The Board of Health has final regulations under review for 12 VAC 5-650. You can read the details here.
The Board of health is proposing regulations to implement the indemnification fund. You can read the details here.
The Board of health is promulgating new regulations to replace 12 VAC 5-610. You can read the details here.