Virginia Law

A. Contents from marine sanitation devices and portable sewage containers used on boats shall be discharged to:

1. A public sewerage system for conveyance to an approved treatment works as described in 12VAC5-570-170 A;

2. A holding tank whereby sewage may be stored until it is transported in accordance with the Sewage Handling and Disposal Regulations (12VAC5-610) to an approved treatment works as described in 12VAC5-570-170 A; or

3. An approved sewage treatment works as described in 12VAC5-570-170 A.

B. Disposal of sewage waste from a marine sanitation device shall be prohibited at small sewage treatment plants where shock loading may result or disinfectants and odor inhibitors will affect the operation of the treatment facility. Whenever feasible, the collected sewage shall be discharged directly to the sewerage system of a large sewage treatment facility or transported for eventual treatment at a large sewage treatment facility.

C. For discharge to a public sewerage system, the owner of the marina or other places where boats are moored shall submit to the division, in writing:

1. Evidence of consent to the discharge from the owner of the conveyance system;

2. Evidence of consent to discharge from the owner of any conveyance systems located downstream that may be affected; and

3. Evidence of consent to discharge from the owner of the treatment works where the sewage is to be disposed.

The owner shall verify that there are satisfactory provisions for emptying the contents from portable sewage containers in a sanitary manner.

D. If sewage is to be stored by the marina or other places where boats are moored in a holding tank, the holding tank or tanks shall be sized, constructed, and located to meet the following criteria:

1. Sewage holding tanks shall be sized in accordance with the requirements of Table 2.

2. Holding tanks shall be constructed in accordance with the following criteria:

a. The holding tank shall be watertight and not subject to any infiltration or leakage.

b. When holding tanks are made of material other than concrete, the internal surface of the holding tank shall be protected from corrosion. Materials used in the manufacture and installation of holding tanks shall be resistant to deterioration by prolonged or frequent contact with deodorizing chemicals, sewage decomposing chemicals, sewage, freshwater, and saltwater.

c. When holding tanks are made of material other than concrete, the external surface of the holding tank shall be protected from corrosion.

d. The holding tank shall be constructed of materials capable of withstanding the forces exerted on its walls.

e. The holding tank shall be located onshore and fixed in place unless it is part of an approved mobile pump-out unit.

f. Provisions shall be made to the satisfaction of the department to assure that the holding tank can be completely emptied. The tank shall be essentially emptied when pumped out.

g. The holding tank shall be adequately vented. This requirement may be met with screened, elbowed down vents installed at the top of the tank.

h. The inlet/outlet of the holding tank shall be compatible with the proposed method of removal.

i. There shall be provisions for emptying the contents from portable sewage containers in a sanitary manner.

3. The required separation distances between holding tank and various structures and features are contained in Table 4.1 of the Sewage Handling and Disposal Regulations (12VAC5-610-597 D).

4. Any person who removes, or contracts to remove and transport by vehicle, the contents of a holding tank shall have a written sewage handling permit issued by the commissioner in accordance with the Sewage Handling and Disposal Regulations (12VAC5-610).