Monthly Archives: October 2009

I attended our training this morning at RE/MAX Gateway in Gainesville, VA.  Bill Poindexter of Soil and Environmental Services, Inc. and SeptiCare took the time to sponsor our training and provide us with alot of useful and updated information about Septic Systems, Regulations and Practical Care & Maintenance here in the Northern Virginia area.

Four Types of Septic Systems:

1. Conventional Septic System ~ utilizes a septic tank, filter, pump and drainfield.
2. Non-Conventional / Alternative Septic System ~ utilizes a septic tank, filter, treatment unit and drainfield.
3. Puraflo Septic System ~ utilizes a septic tank, filter, pump chamber, self contained peat filter and drainfield
4. Experimental Mound Septic System ~ utilizes a septic tank, filter, pump chamber, sand & gravel filter (not self contained) and drainfield.

New Laws and Regulations:

1. Licensure ~ Effective July1, 2009 all onsite soil evaluators, sewage disposal system installers and operational and maintenance providers must be properly licensed through Virginia DPOR.
2. Operations and Maintenance ~ Effective July 1, 2009, all new alternative onsite systems must be operated and maintained by a licensed operator, any property served by an alternative onsite system must have a document disclosing the system recorded in the deed.
3. Proposed Emergency Regulations ~ Currently open for comment until October 26, 2009. Requires an inspection and compliance sample collected at 180 days and than annual inspection, maintenance and reports filed with local health department electronically. Existing alternative onsite systems are exempt from teh testing requirements but NOT from the annual inspection, maintenance and reporting.
4. Final Regulations ~ Must be adopted by December, 2010.
5. Betterment Loans ~ The process by which the Health Department confirms that a septic system is being legitimately repaired, replace or upgraded and therefore qualifies for a Betterment Loan. Betterment loans can be privately or publicly funded. Betterment loans can be recorded as deeds of trust and have first place (in front of mortgage lenders but behind tax liens) in the lien process.

Two Levels Of Septic System Inspections Provided:

1. Standard Inspection
   • Cost ~ $450 +/-
   • Health Department are reviewed.
   • The tanks are located by probing or other means and the access lid is uncovered.
   • The tanks are emptied and inspected for leaks, decay, proper baffle and tree/root damage.
   • Pump function and alarms are tested (if present).
   • The dispersal are is probed and evaluated from the surface for evidence of malfunction.
   • Site is restored and report is prepared with conclusion(s).
2. Comprehensive Inspection
   • Cost ~ $950 +/-
   • All items in Standard Inspection Are Included
   • Distribution box(es) are uncovered and evaluated.
   • Sewer line, conveyance lines, and conventional drainfield lines are inspected with sewer camera.
   • Pump drawdown and pump amperage are checked and adjusted if needed.
   • Secondary treatment unites are evaluated.
   • Interior plumbing fixtures and sump pumps are checked.

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