Mission
The Wastewater Engineering Program within the Department of Environmental Quality administers the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9 VAC 25-790), authorized under the Code of Virginia 1950, as amended, Title 62.1, Section 62.1-44.19. The regulatory services provided by the Wastewater Engineering Program are provided to the citizens of the Commonwealth to ensure that environmental resources are not endangered due to improper management of sewage collection and treatment. The Department of Environmental Quality is under the Secretary of Natural Resources.
Functions
The Wastewater Engineering Program provides technical evaluation of proposals, reports, plans and specifications submitted in support of permits to construct and operate sewage collection and treatment facilities. In addition, technical assistance is provided to owners and their consultants to develop the most efficient technology that can be reasonably operated to provide reliable performance in compliance with permit requirements. The engineers conduct and coordinate training on sanitary engineering and new technologies. The Wastewater Engineering Program administers the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations which cover domestic sewage only. Industrial waste is not covered by this office unless the treatment plant receives over ten percent domestic sewage flows.
Resources
The Wastewater Engineering Program includes environmental engineering "area engineers" to accomplish technical evaluations of engineering documents related to sewage collection and treatment, as well as other related technical services tasks. View information on the engineering staff.
The Wastewater Engineering Program was scaled back significantly in 2008. There are no longer regional contacts for wastewater engineering. As a result certain procedures have been streamlined.
The following webpages address the new procedures and policies regarding issuance of Certificates to Construct (CTC) and Certificates to Operate (CTO) for the various types of wastewater construction projects. Note that the term ‘municipal’ refers to wastewater streams that include >10% domestic sewage and does not refer to the status of the owner of the facility. Please click on the link that best describes your project.
Please note that projects that are receiving WQIF funding through DEQ have to comply with that office’s submittal requirements in addition to what is described here. See Clean Water Financing and Assistance program for details.