Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of our regulations?
The Regulations provide a mechanism to authorize the collection, treatment and disposal of wastes. The Regulations provide controls that ensure that proper levels of both public health and environmental protection will be assured through compliance with issued permits.
What projects must be submitted to DEQ for review and approval?
The Department of Environmental Quality must review engineering plans for certain types of projects before they are constructed.�All gravity sewer and force main projects must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for review. All pump stations with > 25 gpm pump rate (at 100 feet TDH) and > 2,000 gpd average flow must be submitted to DEQ for review. Review of all other pump stations may be waived, as determined by the area engineer. Vacuum collection systems must be reviewed by DEQ. DEQ reviews all Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System discharge sewage treatment facilities projects and vacuum sewerage systems.� Operations and maintenance manuals for sewage treatment plants and pump stations (> 25 gpm) and > 2,000 gpd average flow must be submitted for review and approval. Review of all other pump station O&M manuals may be waived, as determined by the area engineer. Closure plans for sewage treatment plants and sewage lagoons must be submitted.
DEQ Review Period:
Certificate to Construct: All applications and submittals for a certificate to construct (CTC) shall be submitted by the owner or the owner's designee at least 180 days prior to the date the owner desires to begin construction. This is to allow time for comments and revisions. Allow 30 days per submittal for DEQ to complete a review and issue either a comment letter or a CTC.
All Other Submittals: Allow 30 days for DEQ to review preliminary engineering reports, operation and maintenance manuals, and miscellaneous reports and to issue a comment or approval letter.
How many sets of plans and specifications do I need to submit?
For approval, four sets of plans (maximum of 42-inches) [or preferably three sets of plans and one set on CD] and three sets of specifications must be submitted, each cover sheet with an original professional engineer seal, signature, and date. Initially, one set of plans and specifications can be submitted for review. In addition, one set of engineer's design calculations must be submitted with the initial package. Refer to the Notes for Consultants page.
How many copies of engineering reports do I need to submit?
For approval, three copies of a report must be submitted, each cover sheet with an original professional engineer seal, signature, and date. Initially, one copy can be submitted for review.
How many copies of an operations and maintenance manual do I need to submit?
One copy of the operations and maintenance manual is required to be submitted for a pump station, and two copies of the operations and maintenance manual is required to be submitted for a treatment plant. If a licensed engineer prepares the manual, a P.E. seal, signature and date is required on each cover page. An operations and maintenance manual is not required to be prepared by a licensed engineer.
What are the procedures to get a construction permit?
What are the procedures to get a certificate to operate?
Once a project has been constructed, the area engineer will need to issue a Certificate to Operate. The owner is ultimately responsible to ensure these procedures are followed and a Certificate to Operate is issued. The basic procedures are as follows:
- Test the equipment and be sure all mechanical and electrical equipment is operating.
- Send a Statement of Completion to the area engineer, signed by a licensed engineer, stating that the facility was constructed in accordance with the approved plans.
- The statement of completion is the trigger for the area engineer to start the process for issuing a Certificate to Operate.
- The area engineer will contact the owner or engineer to schedule a final construction inspection. This inspection may be waived by the area engineer.
- If the facility is complete upon inspection, the area engineer will issue the Certificate to Operate.
- The Certificate to Operate is good for the life of the facility, provided there are no upgrades or modifications.
- The operations and maintenance manual for the facility must be submitted or already approved at this time. (Note - If a city, county, service authority, military facility, etc. has an approved master operations and maintenance manual for pump stations, an individual operations and maintenance manual for each pump station is not required.)
Who is responsible to comply with the regulations?
The owner of the treatment works is ultimately responsible to comply with the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations. If you have any questions on the regulations, contact your area engineer.
Who enforces the regulations?
The regulations are enforced by the DEQ Enforcement Program.