Virginia’s Onsite Sewage Program

1. Manufacturers Operators OSEs/PEs Homebuilders Virginia’s Onsite Sewage Program Local government Septic contractors Realtors Well drillers Property owners VDH Dwayne Roadcap Division of Onsite Sewage, Water Services, Environmental Engineering, and Marina Programs

2. Policy Needs and Issues

3. Regulation Needs and Issues

4. Other Needs and Issues

5. Current VDH Gravelless Policy • VDH regulates gravelless systems under 3 General Memoranda of Practice (GMPs): • GMP 127 – General authorization of gravel substitutes installed foot-for-foot with a gravel trench • GMP 116 – 50-ft-long gravelless trench equivalent to 100 ft-long gravel trench • GMP 135 – 75-ft-long gravelless trench equivalent to 100 ft-long gravel trench – **subject of legislation** • VDH has allowed gravelless drainfield technologies as a replacement for a gravel and pipe trench since 1987.

6. 12VAC5-610-950. Absorption area design. REVISED Table 5.4 - Establishes gravelless sizing based upon percolation rate, similar to gravel

7. Gravelless Drainfield Options – Change Trench Number • Gravel Per Sewage Handling and Disposal Regulations • Primary area footprint = 100’ L x 30’ W = 3,000 sf • 50% repair area = 3,000 sf x 50% = 1,500 sf • Total onsite system footprint = 4,500 sf • 50% Repair Area • Primary Area • Total Footprint = • 4,500 sf • Gravelless System Under New Regulations • Eliminate one trench from gravel design • Primary area footprint = 100’ L x 21’ W = 2,100 sf • 50% repair area = 2,100 sf x 50% = 1,050 sf • Total onsite system footprint = 3,150 sf • 50% Repair Area • Primary Area • Total Footprint • = 3,150 sf

8. Gravelless Drainfield Options – Change Trench Length • Gravel Per Sewage Handling and Disposal Regulations • Primary area footprint = 100’ L x 30’ W = 3,000 sf • 50% repair area = 3,000 sf x 50% = 1,500 sf • Total onsite system footprint = 4,500 sf • 50% Repair Area • Primary Area • Total Footprint = • 4,500 sf • Gravelless System Under New Regulations • Change 100’ gravel trench length to 75’ for gravelless • Primary area footprint = 75’ L x 30’ W = 2,250 sf • 50% repair area = 2,250 sf x 50% = 1,125 sf • Total onsite system footprint = 3,375 sf 50% Repair Area Primary Area Total Footprint = 3,375 sf

9. AOSE Regulations: • Emergency Regulations expired in 2001 • Final Regulations took effect July 1, 2002 • Being repealed, no authority

10. SHIFT

11. SHIFT How to maximize private sector participation To the greatest extent possible While providing adequate oversight To protect public health and the environment.

12. SHIFT • Meeting #1: Why are we here? • Meeting #2: What’s wrong/good now? • Meeting #3: What should the future hold? • Meeting #4: What are the best ideas? • Meeting #5: How can we improve best ideas?

13. Members

14. Members

15. Members

16. Members

17. Members

18. Data Requests • Cooperative agreements • Local ordinances • Backlog data • Belief by some that VDH taking longer to process supporting work • Staffing levels and workload • AOSS and O&M data • Indemnification fund data

19. Agreements: VDH oversight and education role New construction, existing systems, and wells Consistency: policy, interpretations, work product HBAV, VAR, and VACO Private sector charges would rise Cost, Quality, Time, and Access (competition & choice)

20. Disagreements: VDH fees VDH performing AOSS or COSS work Conflicts of interest and ethics *****Without agreement, what is the likely fall back position?

21. Cost Benefit Analysis

22. Opportunities for Change Fees Work Product Expectations Setting a roadmap for orderly transition

23. Levels of Controversy Subdivision lots Certification Letters Subdivisions with prior work Certification letters with prior work Voluntary Upgrades Safe, Adequate and Proper Reviews Construction permits – pump to gravity Repairs & Emergencies