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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>79664</law_id><section_number>62.1-44.18</section_number><catch_line>Sewerage systems, etc., under supervision of Board and Department of Environmental Quality; Board to regulate design specification and plans</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>15.2-2430</reference><reference>54.1-2300</reference><reference>62.1-199</reference><reference>62.1-44.15</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="62.1">Waters of the State, Ports and Harbors</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="3.1">State Water Control Law</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="4">Regulation of Sewage Discharges</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> All <span class="dictionary">sewerage systems</span> and <span class="dictionary">sewage treatment works</span> shall be under the general supervision of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-285418" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Environmental Quality shall, when requested, consult with and advise the authorities of cities, towns, sanitary districts, and any <span class="dictionary">owner</span> having or intending to have installed <span class="dictionary">sewage treatment works</span> as to the most appropriate type of treatment, but the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> shall not prepare plans, specifications, or detailed estimates of cost for any improvement of an existing or proposed <span class="dictionary">sewage treatment works</span>. <a id="paragraph-285419" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> It shall be the duty of the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> of any such <span class="dictionary">sewerage system</span> or <span class="dictionary">sewage treatment works</span> from which sewage is being discharged into any <span class="dictionary">state waters</span> to furnish, when requested by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, information with regard to the quantities and character of the raw and treated sewage and the operation results obtained in the removal and disposal of organic matter and other pertinent information as is required. <a id="paragraph-285420" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">regulations</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall govern the collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal of sewage. Such <span class="dictionary">regulations</span> shall be designed to protect the public health and promote the public welfare and may include, without limitation: <a id="paragraph-285421" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> A requirement that the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> obtain a permit prior to the construction, installation, modification or operation of a <span class="dictionary">sewerage system</span> or treatment; <a id="paragraph-285422" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Criteria for the granting or denial of such permits; <a id="paragraph-285423" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> <span class="dictionary">Standards</span> for the design, construction, installation, modification and operation of <span class="dictionary">sewerage systems</span> and treatment works; <a id="paragraph-285424" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> <span class="dictionary">Standards</span> specifying the minimum distance between <span class="dictionary">sewerage systems</span> or treatment works and: <a id="paragraph-285425" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D4a" class="indent-2"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> Public and private wells supplying water for human consumption, <a id="paragraph-285426" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D4a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D4b" class="indent-2"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> Lakes and other impounded waters, <a id="paragraph-285427" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D4b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D4c" class="indent-2"><p><span class="prefix-number">c.</span> Streams and rivers, <a id="paragraph-285428" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D4c"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D4d" class="indent-2"><p><span class="prefix-number">d.</span> Shellfish waters, <a id="paragraph-285429" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D4d"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D4e" class="indent-2"><p><span class="prefix-number">e.</span> Ground waters, <a id="paragraph-285430" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D4e"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D4f" class="indent-2"><p><span class="prefix-number">f.</span> Areas and places of human habitation, and <a id="paragraph-285431" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D4f"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D4g" class="indent-2"><p><span class="prefix-number">g.</span> Property lines; <a id="paragraph-285432" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D4g"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> <span class="dictionary">Standards</span> as to the adequacy of an approved water supply; <a id="paragraph-285433" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> A prohibition against the discharge of untreated sewage onto land or into waters of the Commonwealth; and <a id="paragraph-285434" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Criteria for determining the demonstrated ability of alternative onsite systems, which are not permitted through the then current sewage handling and disposal <span class="dictionary">regulations</span>, to treat and dispose of sewage as effectively as approved methods. <a id="paragraph-285435" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#D7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> In addition to factors related to the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>&#x2019;s responsibilities for the safe and sanitary treatment and disposal of sewage as they affect the public health and welfare, the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall, in establishing <span class="dictionary">standards</span>, give due consideration to economic costs of such <span class="dictionary">standards</span> in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Administrative Process Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Short title; purpose" href="/2.2-4000/">2.2-4000</a> et seq.). <a id="paragraph-285436" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/62.1-44.18/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 62-39, &#xA7; 62.1-31; 1968, c. 659; 1970, c. 638; 1991, c. 194; 2003, c. 614.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
