Virginia Law

A. The board has the responsibility to promulgate, amend, and repeal regulations necessary to ensure the safe and sanitary handling and disposal of sewage via onsite sewage systems and alternative discharging sewage systems as these affect public health. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to limit the board's authority to enforce any law administered by it, any regulation promulgated by it, or any case decision rendered by it or by the commissioner.

B. The State Health Commissioner is the chief executive officer of the department. The commissioner has the authority to act, within the scope of regulations promulgated by the board, for the board when it is not in session. The department is designated as the primary agent of the commissioner for the purpose of administering this chapter. The commissioner may delegate his powers under this chapter.

C. Section 32.1-30 of the Code of Virginia requires each county and city to establish and maintain a local department of health that is responsible for enforcing all health laws of the Commonwealth and regulations of the board. With the concurrence of each county and city government affected, the commissioner may create a district health department composed of such local health departments. The commissioner appoints the local or district health director in those localities that enter into a contract with the department for the operation of the local or district health department. In such localities the local or district health director is responsible for implementing this chapter. The authority to implement this chapter is hereby delegated to local and district health directors who are employees of the department; such local and district health directors may delegate to subordinates as they deem necessary. Nothing in this section may be construed as limiting the commissioner's authority to delegate his powers as provided in law.