Septic system maintenance is required by law in Loudoun County, VA. According to amended Loudoun County pump-out ordinance:
“Except as provided herein, for all individual sewage disposal systems not requiring a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit, the owner shall cause a maintenance pump-out of the septic tank of each such system to be performed by a septic tank cleaner licensed by the Loudoun County Health Department at least once every 5 years and shall provide documentation of the subject maintenance at the request of the County. Licensed septic tank cleaners shall report all pump-outs in a manner acceptable to the Loudoun County Health Department on a biweekly basis and shall provide the homeowner with a copy of the information reported. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Alternative Onsite Sewage Systems (AOSSs), in lieu of the required 5-year pump-out, the owner may submit documentation, certified by an individual who is licensed or certified under Chapter 23 (§ 54.1-2300 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia as being qualified to operate, monitor, and maintain an AOSS, that the system has been inspected, is functioning properly, and the tank does not need to be pumped out.”
Septic tanks need to pumped out on a routine basis because it helps prevent poor performance, backups, well contamination, and premature failure.
The septic system maintenance ordinance for Loudoun County Residents went into effect on July 1, 2012. Loudoun County recommends conventional system owners have their tanks pumped in groups (20% per year) over the next five years with the goal of having all tanks pumped by July 1, 2017. Gradual implementation will help avoid service delays from overwhelmed pumpers and dump stations. Tanks should be pumped immediately when they are determined to be at capacity rather than waiting for notification. Initial postcards will go out to all owners of conventional onsite septic systems in March, 2012. Reminder postcards will then be sent in groups, starting with the oldest systems first, in order to reduce demands on the septage handling system.
Please note: based on your usage, your septic tank may need to be pumped out more frequently that every 5 years. If you have a garbage disposal, you may need to have your septic tank pumped out every year or two.
When your tank is pumped, your licensed operator from Soils and Environmental Services (SES) will enter your septic system’s pump-out information into an online database which notifies the Health Department that your tank has been pumped. Once the pump-out information is received, you should not receive additional notices until the system is due to be pumped again, in five years.
For more information on septic system maintenance in Loudoun County, VA, please contact SES. In addition to being a licensed operator in Loudoun (and other counties in Northern Virginia), SES is one of only three businesses to be licensed as a Responsible Management Entity. Loudoun County Virginia was the first in the Nation to establish requirements for an RME based on EPA recommendations. SES manages several communities required to have an RME.