Part 4: Rappahannock County's current situation

by Don Audette, 20 July 2005

What is Rappahannock County doing about the management of the conventional septic systems in the county? Is this a big deal? Should we worry? Is EPA's Management Model 1: "Homeowner Awareness," of any use?

Start with the last question—EPA's Management Model 1: "Homeowner Awareness" is just one of five wastewater treatment management models provided by EPA as guidance to State and local governments. It is the most simple and basic management model, essentially a no-brainer.

Four implementation points are suggested. Medge Carter, of the Rappahannock County Health Department, has provided comment on these implementation points:

1. Proper installation: Make sure onsite/decentralized systems are installed properly in accordance with State/local regulations and codes.

Comment: This is done by the Health Department. In the case of the few alternative systems we have, the engineer involved also has inspection responsibilities.

2. Periodic checks: Make sure they are periodically inspected, maintained, and repaired as necessary.

Comment: There is no required periodic inspection of septic systems. As with building inspections, septic inspections take place primarily at times of new construction, remodeling, real estate transactions, and complaints. The Health Department recommends that septic tanks be pumped every 3-5 years. There is not any Rappahannock County or State requirement that this be done. Anytime we see or hear about a system that requires maintenance and/or repairs, the homeowners are guided through the process to get it done.

Also, when an existing house is sold, there is no government requirement to have the septic system inspected. Lenders frequently do require a certification, and some sale contracts require it.

3. Location: The regulatory agency is aware of the location of the systems.

Comment: The Virginia Department of Health, via the Rappahannock County Health Department, is aware of the general location of systems permitted in the county, and also of others that have had reason to be located, e.g., they required repair and/or certification for a real estate transaction. Record keeping and compliance with permitting requirements has improved a great deal over the last 25 years or so. Prior to that, things were a little sketchy, as permits were more generic, if they were applied for at all.

For the past six years the Health Department has routinely done an "as built" sketch of the location of the septic tank and distribution box on all new systems. This is helpful down the road if anyone needs to locate these items, either for maintenance, or if they are planning on expanding either the system or the house or both. The older the system, the less helpful our records are likely to be, primarily because all we have on systems older than six years are permits that were drawn before the work was done.

4. Operation and maintenance: The regulatory agency periodically provides owners with operation and maintenance information.

Comment: The Rappahannock County Health Department provides information at the time a septic system is constructed and/or certified, and of course, anytime anyone asks.

The information above summarizes the current situation in Rappahannock County on wastewater treatment management of conventional septic systems.

Another question at the start was whether we should worry about anything. A universal concern is that failed or failing septic systems have not been detected. One high-tech answer is the use of aerial photographic techniques developed by EPA to identify and document septic system performance. A flyover with photographic imaging equipment using color and infrared color film, when leaves are off the trees and seasonal high-water table conditions prevail, can detect vegetative growth-stress-death patterns. Proper analysis can pick out a failed or failing septic system. This is a costly approach.

Another universal technique is a complaint by someone about a homeowner's failing onsite sewage disposal system that is backing up in a house, or is discharging untreated or partially treated effluent on the ground surface, into surface waters, or into ground waters. The Board of Health then follows a lengthy procedure involving notices, orders, hearings, and compliance; and if no compliance ensues, a further injunction or other legal processes, including civil penalty or criminal action, are initiated.

Is what Rappahannock County is doing about the management of the conventional septic systems in the county a big deal? Look at it this way. Conventional septic systems have been in use in the United States for well over half a century, replacing primitive cesspools and privies. They are not complicated and function well if homeowners manage them properly. Unfortunately, most homeowners are lax about the management of their septic systems.

Over the last 25 years, new technology in the form of alternative/innovative septic systems has been coming into increasing use for particular situations. And decentralized cluster and "package" wastewater treatment facilities are being used in more densely populated suburban and rural areas. They are much more complicated and require a higher degree of management. State and local governments, as well as a number of national organizations, are working on refining model regulations related to the registration, licensing, certification, inspection, and other issues brought about by these alternative/innovative septic systems as well as decentralized systems.

One thing is for sure. More education of the public on proper wastewater treatment management is needed to assure water quality and public health standards are continually met.

©Times Community Newspapers 2005. Used with permission.

Related article: Wastewater treatment goes high tech

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