Virginia Law

Sanitation Districts Law of 1946 - Nontidal Waters

This chapter may be known, designated and cited as the "Sanitation Districts Law of Nineteen Hundred and Forty-Six."

1946, p. 346; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii1.

Wherever used or referred to in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

(1) The term "district" means a sanitation district created and existing pursuant to §§ 21-228 to 21-236 or heretofore or hereafter created by a special act of the General Assembly for the purpose of taking advantage of the provisions of this chapter;

(2) The term "commission," except where the context requires reference to the board or commission mentioned and provided for in § 21-238, means the body corporate or politic comprising a district and its inhabitants created and existing pursuant to § 21-237;

(3) The term "chairman" means the chairman of a commission;

(4) The term "sewage disposal system" or "facilities," used in relation to a commission, means the sewers, conduits, pipelines, pumping and ventilating stations, treatment plants and works, and other plants, structures, boats, conveyances and other real and personal property operated by the commission for the purposes of the commission;

(5) The term "waters of the district" means all well defined rivers, creeks or other watercourses or streams within the district, provided they are not "tidal waters of the district" as that term is defined in the sanitation districts law of 1938;

(6) The term "industrial wastes" means liquid or other wastes resulting from any processes of industry, manufacture, trade or business or from the development of any natural resource;

(7) The term "sewage" means the water-carried wastes created in and carried, or to be carried, away from residences, hotels, schools, hospitals, industrial establishments, commercial establishments or any other private or public building, together with such surface or ground water and industrial wastes as may be present;

(8) The term "pollution" means the condition of water resulting from any of the following acts:

(a) Unreasonably contaminating such water;

(b) Rendering such water unclean or impure;

(c) Rendering such water directly or indirectly injurious to public health, or unfit for public use;

(d) Rendering such water harmful for cattle, stock or other animals;

(e) Rendering such water unfit for commercial use;

(9) The term "construct" includes construct, reconstruct, replace, improve and repair;

(10) The term "person" includes an individual, partnership, association, or corporation;

(11) The term "governing body" shall mean the board of supervisors, board of county commissioners, council or other local legislative body, board, commission, or other legislative authority having charge of the finances of any county, city or town;

(12) The term "town" means an incorporated town;

(13) The term "county" means a county exclusive of that portion thereof lying within the boundaries of an incorporated town.

1946, p. 347; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii2.

Every order made pursuant to this chapter requiring the opening of a poll and the taking of the sense of the qualified voters of a district or proposed sanitation district on a question shall designate the question and a date for holding such election not less than thirty days from the date of such order, and may be directed as writs of election are directed for an election district, or to fill a vacancy in the General Assembly or in Congress. It shall be the duty of the regular election officers of the counties and cities in whole or in part embraced within the district or proposed sanitation district to cause to be printed and distributed in the manner prescribed by law for printing and distributing other ballots the proper number of ballots which shall be separate from any other ballots. The ballots shall set forth the question designated in such order and shall be in substantially the following form:

(Here shall appear the question designated in the order)

[ ] YES

[ ] NO

To vote "Yes" on the question, place a checkmark (✓) or cross (+ or ✗) in the space opposite the word "Yes"; to vote "No" on the question, place a checkmark (✓) or cross (+ or ✗) in the space opposite the word "No."

The regular election officers, at the time designated in such order, shall open the polls at the various voting places in the district or proposed sanitation district and at any other voting places at which any qualified voter of the district or proposed sanitation district is entitled to vote, and shall conduct such election and close the polls in such manner as is provided by law in other elections. The ballots shall be counted and returns made and canvassed and the results ascertained and made known as in other elections, and the results certified by the commissioners of election to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, all in such manner as to show the respective numbers of affirmative and negative votes cast at the election. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall record and tabulate the reports of the commissioners of election and shall certify the result of the election to the court which made the order authorizing and requiring such election.

1946, p. 364; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii25.

Wherever in this chapter the circuit court of any county, or the corporation court of any city, is authorized to accept any petitions or papers, make any order, hold any hearing, hear, consider and determine any question or do any other act or thing, such court, or a judge thereof in vacation, may do and perform the same.

1946, p. 365; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii26.

Any integral body of territory within which are situated rivers, creeks or other watercourses or streams, not affected by ebb and flow of the tide, and none of which are embraced within any other sanitation district may, under the conditions and upon the taking and completion of the proceedings provided in this article, be created a sanitation district. Every part of the boundary of such a sanitation district shall either (1) coincide with the boundary of a county, city or town or (2) bisect a county, city or town, or (3) be located within one mile of the boundary of a county, city or town, or (4) consist of a straight line connecting two points each of which lies upon a boundary of one of the three types hereinabove described.

1946, p. 348; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii3.

Upon the presentation of a petition complying with the requirements of this article, praying for the creation of a sanitation district, fixing the boundaries thereof and naming the counties, cities and towns which in whole or in part are to be embraced therein, the circuit court of any such county, or of any county in which any such town is situated, or the corporation court of any such city shall make an order filing such petition and fixing a day for a hearing by such court on such petition and the question of the creation of the proposed sanitation district. Such order shall direct notice of such hearing to be given by publication three times in some newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in the proposed sanitation district, with the first publication appearing no more than 35 days before and the third publication appearing no less than seven days before the hearing. Such notice shall set forth the petition as filed, but need not set forth the signatures or exhibits thereto, and shall state the time and place of hearing and that at such hearing all persons desiring to controvert the allegations of such petition or question the conformity thereof to this article will be heard and all objections to the creation of the proposed sanitation district considered.

1946, p. 348; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii3; 2023, cc. 506, 507; 2024, cc. 225, 242.

Every such petition shall pray for the creation of the proposed sanitation district, and set forth the name of the proposed sanitation district (which shall include the words "sanitation district"), shall fix the boundaries thereof, shall name the cities and counties and towns which are in whole or in part to be embraced therein and shall contain an allegation (1) that the proposed sanitation district includes within its territorial limits watercourses or streams which are polluted, (2) that no part of the proposed sanitation district is within the territorial limits of an existing sanitation district, (3) that the proposed sanitation district is an integral whole and does not completely surround any territory not included in the proposed or some existing sanitation district, (4) that the creation of the proposed sanitation district in accordance with this chapter will provide a means for abating or preventing the pollution of waters of the proposed sanitation district and will benefit all the property within the proposed sanitation district, (5) that the creation of the proposed sanitation district has been approved by the State Health Commissioner as providing a practical means for abating or preventing the pollution of the waters of the proposed sanitation district, (6) that the petition has been approved and the prayer thereof joined in by each city, county and town which is in whole or in part embraced within the proposed sanitation district, expressed by resolution adopted by the vote of a majority of the governing body thereof.

1946, p. 348; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii3.

Every such petition shall be signed by not less than 100 qualified voters of the proposed sanitation district, including not less than 25 qualified voters of each city and county and town in whole or in part embraced within the proposed sanitation district.

1946, p. 349; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii3.

Any person interested may answer the petition and make defense thereto and at such hearing all persons interested or desiring to controvert the allegations of the petition or question the conformity thereof to this article or object to the creation of the proposed sanitation district shall be heard. If upon such hearing the court shall not be satisfied that the allegations of the petition are sustained and that the petition conforms to the provisions of this article, it shall make an order denying and dismissing the petition. If upon such hearing the court shall be satisfied that the allegations of the petition are sustained and that the petition conforms to the provisions of this article and that all of the property in the proposed sanitation district will be benefited by the creation of the proposed sanitation district and that the public interest will be served and the public health protected by such creation, it shall make an order determining such matters and requiring the opening of a poll and the taking of the sense of the qualified voters of the proposed sanitation district in accordance with § 21-226 on the question of the creation of the proposed sanitation district. The question so submitted shall be "Do you favor the creation of the........… (inserting name of the proposed sanitation district stated in the said petition)?"

1946, p. 349; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii3.

If upon the certificate of the result of the said election made by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to such court it shall appear that a majority of the qualified voters of the proposed sanitation district voting at the election shall have voted "yes" and in favor of the creation of the proposed sanitation district, the court shall make and enter of record an order stating such result, and thereupon the territory defined in the petition, less such parts thereof as shall be excluded pursuant to the provisions of § 21-234 shall be and constitute a sanitation district for all the purposes of this chapter, known and designated by the name stated in the petition.

1946, p. 349; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii3.

If upon the certification of the results of the election provided for in § 21-233 it shall appear that a majority of the qualified voters of the portion of any county, or of any city or of any town voting on the question at the election, shall have voted "no" against the creation of the proposed sanitation district, then the territory included within the limits of such county or of such city, or of such town, shall be excluded from, and shall not constitute a part of such district.

1946, p. 349; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii3.

The State Health Commissioner is authorized, upon being satisfied that the creation of a proposed sanitation district will provide a practical means for abating or preventing the pollution of the waters of the proposed sanitation district, to approve, as above referred to, the creation of the proposed sanitation district.

1946, p. 349; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii3.

The governing body of each city and county and town is authorized, in its discretion, to adopt resolutions, as above referred to, approving and joining in the prayer of petitions for the creation of a proposed sanitation district.

1946, p. 350; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii3.

In and for each district heretofore or hereafter created pursuant to this chapter or pursuant to a special act of the General Assembly, a commission is hereby created as a body corporate, invested with the rights, powers and authority and charged with the duties set forth in this chapter. The commission shall be known by the name of the district, except that the word "commission" shall be substituted for the word "district." Except as a special act creating the district shall otherwise provide, the commission shall consist of seven members, residents of the district, appointed by the State Health Commissioner, in the manner hereinafter provided, who shall notify each governing body immediately after such appointments. Representation on the commission shall be apportioned among the political segments of the district on a population basis so far as it may be practical to do so; but each political segment, however, shall be entitled to at least one representative on the commission; and all appointments thereto shall be made by the State Health Commissioner from a list of not less than one nor more than five names furnished to him by the respective governing bodies of each political segment of the district. Except as a special act creating the district shall otherwise provide, in making the original appointments, one of the members shall be appointed for a term of one year, two for a term of two years, two for a term of three years, and two for terms of four years each; subsequent appointments shall be made for a term of four years, except appointments to fill vacancies which shall be for the unexpired terms. Members of the commission shall hold office until their successors have been duly appointed and qualified.

1946, p. 350; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii4.

The commission, at its organization meeting and thereafter at its first meeting in each calendar year, shall elect one of the members of the commission, chairman thereof. The commission under such rules as it may adopt, may elect one of its members vice-chairman, and may appoint a secretary, or secretary-treasurer, who shall not be a member of the commission; in the event that the commission appoints a secretary-treasurer, his compensation shall be fixed by the commission.

1946, p. 350; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii4.

The members of the commission, including the chairman, shall receive no salary, but shall be paid their necessary traveling and other expenses incurred in attendance upon meetings of the commission or while otherwise engaged in the discharge of their duties under this chapter, and the sum of $10 per diem for each day or portion thereof in which they are engaged in the performance of such duties, but the total of such per diem compensation so received by any member during any one year shall not exceed $300.

1946, p. 350; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii4.

Regular meetings of the commission shall be held at least once every month at such time and place as the commission shall from time to time prescribe. Special meetings of the commission shall be held upon one day's mailed notice, or actual notice otherwise given, to each member of the commission upon call of the chairman or of any two members of the commission, at such time and at such place within the district as such notice may specify, or at such other time and place with or without notice as all of the members of the commission may expressly approve.

1946, p. 350; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii4.

Four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum, and the vote of four members of the commission shall be necessary to take any action.

1946, p. 351; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii4.

Members of the commission may be suspended or removed by the State Health Commissioner at his pleasure.

1946, p. 352; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii4.

Each member of the commission shall, before entering upon the discharge of his duties under this chapter, take and subscribe the oath of office required by Article II, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia, and give bond payable to the Commonwealth of Virginia in form approved by the Attorney General, in such penalty as shall be fixed from time to time by the State Health Commissioner, with some surety or guaranty company duly authorized to do business in Virginia and approved by the State Health Commissioner, as security, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his duties. The premium of such bonds shall be paid by the commission and the bonds shall be filed with and preserved by the Comptroller.

1946, p. 351; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii4; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 1.

Repealed by Acts 1970, c. 463.

All contracts, except in cases of emergency, over $5,000 that the commission may let for construction or materials shall be let after public advertising. The commission shall advertise for bids for the work or materials at least ten days prior to the letting of any contracts therefor. The advertisement shall state the place where bidders may examine the plans and specifications and the time and place where bids for the work or materials will be opened. Each bidder shall accompany his bid with a certified check payable to the commission, for a reasonable sum to be fixed by the commission, as a guarantee that if the contract is awarded to him, he will enter into a contract with the commission for doing the work or furnishing the materials. The contract shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, and the successful bidder shall give bond or other security for the faithful performance of the contract, in such form and amount as the chairman may require. The commission is authorized to reject any and all bids. In the event that all bids are rejected, the commission shall advertise for new bids as in the first instance. All such bids and contracts shall be public records. The commission is authorized, in its discretion, to do any and all such work by force account.

1946, p. 351; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii4.

The powers of condemnation or eminent domain conferred on the commission by this chapter shall be exercised by the commission under the same conditions and provisions and in accordance with the same procedure as in the case of the exercise of similar powers by the boards of supervisors of counties or the councils of cities or towns so far as they can be applied to the same.

1946, p. 351; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii4.

No pecuniary liability of any kind shall be imposed upon any county, city or town constituting any part of any district because of any act, agreement, contract, tort, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance, by or on the part of the commission of such district, or any member of such commission, or its agents, servants and employees, except as otherwise provided in this chapter with reference to contracts and agreements between the commission and any such county, city or town.

1946, p. 352; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii4.

Every commission shall have the following powers:

1. To adopt and have a common seal and to alter the same at pleasure;

2. To sue and to be sued;

3. In the name of the commission and on its behalf, to acquire, hold and dispose of its fees, rents and charges and other revenues;

4. In the name of the commission but for the cities, counties and towns in whole or in part embraced within the district, to acquire, hold, and dispose of other personal property for the purposes of the commission;

5. In the name of the commission but for the cities, counties and towns in whole or in part embraced within the district, to acquire by purchase, gift, condemnation or otherwise, real property or rights or easements therein, necessary or convenient for the purposes of the commission, subject to mortgages, deeds of trust, or other liens or otherwise, and to hold and to use the same, and to dispose of property so acquired no longer necessary for the purposes of the commission; provided that the right of condemnation granted herein shall be subject to the same provisions as are provided in § 25.1-102 concerning the condemnation of any property belonging to a corporation possessing the power of eminent domain by another public service corporation;

6. To borrow money for the purposes of the commission and to issue therefor its bonds, and to provide for and secure the payment of its bonds and the rights of the holders thereof, and to fund or refund its bonds by the issuance of bonds hereunder;

7. To accept gifts or grants or real or personal property, money, material, labor or supplies for the purposes of the commission and to make and perform such agreements and contracts as may be necessary or convenient in connection with the procuring or acceptance of such gifts or grants;

8. To enter on any lands, waters and premises for purpose of making surveys, borings, soundings and examinations for the purposes of the commission;

9. To make and enforce rules and regulations for the management and regulation of its business and affairs and for the use, maintenance and operation of its facilities and properties, and to amend the same;

10. To do and perform any acts and things authorized by this chapter under, through or by means of its own officers, agents and employees, or by contracts with any person; and

11. To execute any and all instruments and do and perform any and all acts or things necessary, convenient or desirable for the purposes of the commission or to carry out the powers expressly given in this chapter.

1946, p. 352; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii5; 2003, c. 940.

The purposes of every commission shall be the relief of the waters of the district from pollution and the consequent improvement of conditions affecting the public health.

1946, p. 353; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii6.

Every commission is authorized and directed to acquire, in the name of the commission but for the cities, counties and towns in whole or in part embraced within the district, by purchase, gift, condemnation or otherwise, and, notwithstanding the provisions of any charter, ordinance or resolution of any county, city or town to the contrary, to construct, maintain, operate and use such trunk, intercepting and outlet sewers, conduits, pipelines, pumping and ventilating stations, treatment plants or works at such places, and such other plants, structures, boats and conveyances, as in the judgment of the commission will provide an effective and satisfactory method for promoting the purposes of the commission.

1946, p. 353; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii6.

The commission is authorized and directed when in the judgment of the commission its sewage disposal system, or part thereof, will permit, to collect from any and all public sewage systems within the district all sewage and treat and dispose of the same in such manner as to promote the purposes of the commission.

1946, p. 353; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii6.

In order to carry out and effectuate the purposes of the commission, every commission is authorized to enter upon and use and connect with any existing public drains, sewers, conduits, pipelines, pumping and ventilating stations and treatment plants or works or any other public property of a similar nature within the district, deemed proper by the commission in the exercise of the powers and performance of the duties set forth in this chapter, and, if deemed necessary by the commission, close off and seal outlets and outfalls therefrom. The commission shall not, however, take possession of any such treatment plant unless it acquires the same by purchase, condemnation or otherwise.

1946, p. 360; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii12.

In order to carry out and effectuate the purposes of the commission, every commission is authorized to construct and operate its trunk, intercepting and outlet sewers, conduits and pipelines, along, over, under and in any streets, alleys, highways and other public places within the district. In so constructing its facilities, it shall see that the public use of such streets, alleys, highways and other public places is not unnecessarily interrupted or interfered with and that such streets, alleys, highways and other public places are restored to their former usefulness and condition within a reasonable time; to this end the commission shall cooperate with the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the appropriate officers of the respective counties, cities and towns having an interest in such matters.

1946, p. 360; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii13.

(a) Every commission is authorized to enter into contracts with the United States of America, or with any department, institution or agency thereof, on such terms and conditions as the commission may approve, providing for or relating to the treatment and disposal of sewage or industrial wastes of or originating in or on any reservation, property, institution, building or structure within the district owned or under the control of the United States of America, or any department, institution or agency thereof, by means of the sewage disposal system or such other facilities as the commission may determine to provide for such purpose, or in such other manner as such contract may provide.

(b) Every commission is authorized to provide, contract, operate and maintain facilities for the treatment and disposal of industrial wastes originating in the district, and to enter into contracts with any person, on such terms and conditions as the commission may approve, providing for or relating to the treatment and disposal of any such industrial wastes.

(c) Every commission is authorized to enter into contracts with any person owning or operating any sewer system within the district or engaged in treatment or disposing of sewage or industrial wastes originating in the district, on such terms and conditions as the commission may approve, providing for or relating to the treatment and disposal of any sewage or industrial wastes collected in such sewer system or by such person.

(d) Every commission is authorized to enter into contracts with the owner of property adjoining its district on such terms and conditions as such commission may approve, providing for or relating to the treatment and disposal of sewage or industrial wastes of or originating in or on such adjoining property by means of the sewage disposal system or such other facilities as such commission may determine to provide for such purpose, or in such other manner as such contract may provide.

1946, p. 361; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii18; 1968, c. 194.

The method proposed to be used by a commission for treating and disposing of sewage and industrial wastes so as to prevent the pollution of the waters of the district, and any substantial change in such methods, shall, before being finally adopted or used by the commission, be approved by the State Health Commissioner as effective and satisfactory for the purpose intended.

1946, p. 360; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii14.

Neither the commission nor any of the counties, cities or towns in whole or in part embraced within the district shall have power to mortgage, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of any part of the sewage disposal system of a commission, except such part or parts thereof as may be no longer necessary for the purposes of the commission, whether the same shall originally have been acquired by such commission or by one of the counties, cities or towns. The provisions of this section shall be deemed to constitute a contract with the holders of bonds of the commission. The sewage disposal system of a commission shall be exempt from any and all liability which may be incurred by, or imposed upon, the commission, or any county, city or town, which, in whole or in part, constitutes any part of any district.

1946, p. 360; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii15.

The commission is authorized to appoint a general manager for the district, prescribe his duties and fix his salary, such general manager to be responsible to the commission and to serve at its pleasure. The general manager shall appoint all other agents and employees of the commission, except as otherwise provided in § 21-238, dismiss them, fix their salaries or remuneration within the limits authorized by the commission, assign their positions and titles, define their respective powers and duties, and require them, or any of them, to give bond payable to the Commonwealth of Virginia in such penalty as shall be fixed by the commission, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of their duties.

1946, p. 359; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii11.

(a) All moneys of a commission, whether derived from the sale of bonds or other obligations or from the collection of fees, rents and other charges by the commission or from any contract of the commission or from any other source shall be collected, received, held, secured and disbursed in accordance with any contract of the commission relating thereto. The following provisions of this section shall be applicable to any such moneys only if and to the extent that they are consistent with such contract or contracts of the commission.

(b) Such moneys shall not be required to be paid into the state treasury or into the treasury or to any officer of any county, city or town.

(c) All such moneys shall be deposited by the commission in a separate bank account or accounts, appropriately designated, in such banks or trust companies as may be designated by the commission.

(d) All deposits of such moneys shall be secured by bonds or other direct unlimited obligations of the United States or of the Commonwealth of Virginia or of any county, city or town of the Commonwealth or of the commission of a market value at least equal at all times to the amount of such deposits, and all banks and trust companies are authorized to give such security for such deposits.

1946, p. 360; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii16.

Every commission shall keep and preserve complete and accurate accounts and records of all moneys received and disbursed by it and of all of its business and operations and of all property and funds owned or managed by it or under its control, and shall prepare and transmit to the State Health Commissioner and to the governing body of each city, county and town which is in whole or in part embraced within the district, annually and at such other times as the State Health Commissioner shall require, complete and accurate reports as to the state and content of such accounts and records, together with such information with respect thereto as the State Health Commissioner may require.

1946, p. 361; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii17.

Every commission is hereby authorized and empowered to charge and collect fees, rents, or other charges for the use and services of the sewage disposal system. Such fees, rents and charges may be charged to and collected from any person contracting for the same or from the owner or lessee or tenant, or some or all of them, who use or occupy any real estate which directly or indirectly is or has been connected with the sewage disposal system, or from or on which originates or has originated sewage or industrial wastes, or either, which directly or indirectly have entered or will enter the sewage disposal system, and the owner or lessee or tenant of any such real estate shall pay such fees, rents and charges to the commission at the time when, and place where, such fees, rents and charges are due and payable.

1946, p. 353; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii7.

Such fees, rents and charges being in the nature of use or service charges, shall as nearly as the commission shall deem practicable and equitable, be uniform throughout the district for the same type, class and amount of use or service of the sewage disposal system, and may be based or computed either on the consumption of water on or in connection with the real estate, making due allowance for commercial use of water, or on the number and kind of water outlets on or in connection with the real estate or on the number and kind of plumbing or sewage fixtures or facilities on or in connection with the real estate, or on the number or average number of persons residing or working on or otherwise connected or identified with the real estate to or on any other factors determining the type, class and amount of use or service of the sewage disposal system, or on any combination of such factors.

1946, p. 353; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii7.

The commission shall prescribe and from time to time when necessary revise a schedule of such fees, rents and charges which shall comply with the terms of any contract of the commission with the holders of bonds of the commission made pursuant to §§ 21-269 to 21-275 and in any event shall be such that the revenues of the commission will at all times be adequate to pay all expenses of operation and maintenance of the sewage disposal system of the commission, necessary to preserve the system and to assure its operation as a going concern, including reserves, insurance, extensions, and replacements, and to pay punctually the principal of and interest on any bonds or other indebtedness of the commission and to maintain adequate reserves or sinking funds therefor. The schedule shall be so prescribed and from time to time revised by the commission after public hearing which shall be held by the commission upon such public notice as the commission may determine to be reasonable.

1946, p. 354; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii7.

The commission shall likewise fix and determine the time or times when and the place or places where such fees, rents and charges shall be due and payable and may require that such fees, rents and charges shall be paid in advance for periods of not more than six months.

A copy of the schedules of all fees, rents and charges in effect shall at all times be kept on file at the principal office of the commission, and such schedules shall at all reasonable times be open to public inspection.

1946, p. 354; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii7.

In the event that the fees, rents or charges charged by the commission for the use and services of the sewage disposal system by or in connection with any real estate shall not be paid as and when due, then and at that time interest shall begin to accrue thereon at the rate of one per centum per month and the owner, lessee or tenant, as the case may be of such real estate shall, until such fees, rents and charges shall be paid with such interest to the date of payment, cease to dispose of sewage or industrial waste originating from or on such real estate by discharge thereof directly or indirectly into the sewage disposal system, and if such owner, lessee or tenant shall not cease such disposal within two months thereafter it shall be the duty of each county, city, town and other public corporation, board or body supplying water to or selling water for use on, such real estate, within five days after receipt of notice of such facts from the commission, to cease supplying water to, and selling water for use on, such real estate. If such county, city, town or other public corporation, board or body shall not within such time cease supplying water to, and selling water for use on, such real estate, the commission may shut off the supply of water to such real estate and for such purpose, may enter on any lands, waters and premises of such county, city, town or other public corporation, board or body, or of any person. The water supply to or for any person, or for use on real estate of any person, shall not be shut off or stopped under the provisions of this section, if the State Health Commissioner, upon application of the local board of health or health officer of the county, city or town wherein such water is supplied or such real estate is located, shall have found and shall certify to the authorities charged with the responsibility of ceasing to supply or sell such water, or to shut off the supply of such water, that ceasing to supply or shutting off such water supply will endanger the health of such person and the health of others in such county, city or town.

1946, p. 354; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii7.

The commission shall keep and preserve a complete register, or registers, open to public inspection, of all fees, rents and other charges which have been charged by the commission to the owners or lessees or tenants of any real estate for the use and services of the sewage disposal system and have become due and payable and have not been paid. Such register or registers shall be kept in such place or places as the commission shall determine.

1946, p. 355; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii7.

From any action of the sanitation commission in prescribing fees, rents and charges, or either of them, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, an appeal may be taken upon the petition of any county, city or town constituting a part of the district, or upon petition of any fifty persons, resident or doing business in the district, to the State Corporation Commission. At least sixty days prior to filing such petition with the State Corporation Commission, such county, city or town or interested parties shall notify the sanitation commission of such intended petition and of the fees, rents and charges complained of, in order that the sanitation commission may be afforded an opportunity to make such changes in such fees, rents and charges as it shall deem proper. After such petition shall have been filed with the State Corporation Commission and after such county, city or town or other petitioners shall have, if required by the State Corporation Commission, executed and filed with the State Corporation Commission a bond payable to the Commonwealth and sufficient in amount, but not in excess of $500, and security to insure the prompt payment of all costs which may be assessed against such county, city or town or other petitioners and after such county, city or town or other petitioners shall have caused to be published in at least one newspaper, designated by the State Corporation Commission and of general circulation within the district, such notice of such appeal as shall be prescribed by the State Corporation Commission, the State Corporation Commission is authorized to make such examinations and studies, to hold such hearings as may be required, to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of records, memoranda, papers and other documents before the State Corporation Commission or any officer or agent thereof, to administer oaths and to take testimony thereunder, and to fix in accordance with the provisions of this chapter applicable to the sanitation commission, subject to the right of further appeal by the sanitation commission or the interested parties to the Supreme Court, such fees, rents and charges. In each such proceeding the State Corporation Commission shall ascertain the costs incurred by it, including in such costs actual expenses incurred and a fair apportionment of overhead expenses, and shall assess the same against either the petitioner or petitioners, or the sanitation commission, or shall apportion the costs between the petitioner or petitioners and the sanitation commission, according to principles applicable in courts of equity.

1946, p. 355; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii7.

The commission shall have the right to recover the amount of any fees, rents or other charges charged by the commission to the owner or lessee or tenant or contracting party, as set forth in § 21-260, for the use and services of the sewage disposal system by or in connection with such real estate and of the interest which may accrue thereon, by any action, suit or proceeding permitted by law or in equity.

1946, p. 362; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii19.

Any commission, and any county, city or town in whole or in part embraced within the district, are authorized to enter into a contract or contracts on such terms and conditions as such contract or contracts may contain, providing for the collection by such county, city or town and payment over to the commission of the fees, rents or other charges charged or to be charged by the commission to the owners or lessees or tenants of real estate within such county, city or town, or providing for the payment to the commission by such county, city or town of a sum or sums of money in lieu of all or part of the fees, rents and other charges which would otherwise be charged by the commission to the owners or lessees or tenants of real estate within such county, city or town. Such county, city or town is vested with powers to do everything necessary or proper to carry out and perform every such contract, including the same powers with respect to fees, rents and other charges as are conferred by this chapter upon a commission, and to provide for the payment or discharge of any obligation thereunder by the same means and in the same manner as any other of its obligations, except that no tax shall be levied on real estate for such obligation. The commission is authorized to reduce ratably in accordance with such contract the fees, rents and other charges which would otherwise be charged by the commission to the owners or lessees or tenants of real estate within such county, city or town, but nothing in this section or any such contract shall be construed to prevent the commission from charging to and collecting from such owners or lessees or tenants of such real estate, in the same manner as provided for such fees, rents and other charges, any deficiency in any payment agreed to be made by such county, city or town.

1946, p. 362; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii20.

Bonds of a commission shall at no time be outstanding in a principal amount in excess of $10 million.

1946, p. 356; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii8.

No bonds shall be issued by a commission, except to fund or refund bonds theretofore issued and thus to redeem a previous liability, unless the qualified voters of the district shall approve by a majority vote of the qualified voters voting in an election the issuance of the bonds. Whenever the commission shall determine by resolution that it is advisable to issue bonds for the purposes of the commission, such resolution shall be certified to the circuit court of a county or corporation court of a city in whole or in part embraced within the district and the court shall thereupon make an order requiring the opening of a poll and the taking of the sense of the qualified voters of the district in accordance with § 21-226 on the question of issuing the bonds in not exceeding the amount stated in such resolution. The question so submitted shall be "Do you favor the issuance of not exceeding $_____ bonds of the _______________ sanitation district commission (inserting the amount of bonds stated in such resolution and the name of the commission)?" If upon the certification of the result of the election made by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to the court, it shall appear that a majority of the qualified voters of the district voting at the election shall have voted "yes" and in favor of the issuance of the bonds, the court shall make and enter of record an order stating such result and thereupon the commission shall have power in accordance with this article to issue bonds in not exceeding the amount stated in such resolution and, in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds, to borrow money on temporary loan and issue temporary bonds therefor.

1946, p. 356; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii8.

All other matters relating to the issuing of such bonds, and all matters relating to the contracting of debt, borrowing of money and issuing of other bonds and obligations shall be determined by resolution of the commission.

1946, p. 356; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii8.

Bonds shall be authorized by resolution of the commission, and shall be issued from time to time in one or more series, be in such form, bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times not more than forty years from the date of issuance thereof, bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding six per centum per annum, be in such denominations, carry such registration privileges, be executed in such manner, be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, be subject to acceleration of maturity on such contingencies and terms, and be subject to such terms of redemption with or without premium, as such resolution shall provide.

1946, p. 356; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii8.

Such bonds may be sold at public or private sale for such price or prices as the commission shall determine, provided the interest cost to maturity of the money received from any such bonds simultaneously sold shall not exceed an average of six per centum per annum.

1946, p. 356; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii8.

Any resolutions of the commission authorizing any bonds may contain provisions, which shall be a part of the contract with the several holders of such bonds and accordingly subject to amendment by mutual agreement of the commission and the holders of all of such bonds, as to:

(1) Pledging, setting aside, depositing or trusteeing any or all revenues or funds of the commission to secure the payment of the principal of or interest on such bonds or other bonds of the commission or the payment of expenses of construction, operation or maintenance of the sewage disposal system, including provisions giving priority, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law otherwise to the contrary, to the obligation to perform such contractual provisions to secure payment of such principal or interest over any or all other obligations and liabilities of the commission;

(2) Payment of the principal of or interest on such bonds or other bonds of the commission, and the sources and methods thereof;

(3) The fees, rents and other charges to be established and collected by the commission, the collection and enforcement of the same, and the use, disposition and application of the amounts collected;

(4) The setting aside of reserves and sinking funds and the source, regulation, application and disposition thereof;

(5) The determination or definition of the revenues and income of the commission and of the expenses of operation and maintenance of the sewage disposal system;

(6) The use, regulation, operation, maintenance, insurance and disposition of the sewage disposal facilities and other property of the commission;

(7) Restrictions on the power of the commission to limit and regulate the use of the sewage disposal system, facilities and other property of the commission;

(8) Limitations on the purposes to which the proceeds of such bonds or other bonds of the commission may be applied;

(9) The construction and completion of all or any part of the sewage disposal system or any facilities of the commission;

(10) Limitations on the issuance of additional bonds or on the indebtedness of the commission;

(11) The procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with the holders of such bonds may be amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds the holders of which must consent thereto, and the manner in which such consent may be given or evidenced;

(12) Payment of costs or expenses incident to the enforcement of such bonds or of the provisions of such resolution or of any contract with the holders of such bonds, in accordance with this article; or

(13) Any other matter which the commission shall determine to be necessary in order to carry out and effectuate the purposes of the commission.

1946, p. 357; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii8.

Any provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any bonds or temporary bonds issued pursuant to the authority of this chapter shall be deemed to be fully negotiable within the meaning and for all the purposes of Title 8.3A.

1946, p. 357; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii8.

The bonds, notes and other obligations, and any indebtedness, of a commission shall not be in any way a debt or liability of the Commonwealth, or of any county, city or town in whole or in part embraced within the district and shall not create or constitute any indebtedness, liability or obligation of the Commonwealth or of any such county, city or town, either legal, moral or otherwise and nothing in this chapter contained shall be construed to authorize a commission or district to incur any indebtedness on behalf of or in any way to obligate the Commonwealth or any county, city or town, in whole or in part embraced within the district.

1946, p. 364; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii23.

Neither the members of the commission, nor any person executing any bonds or temporary bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds or temporary bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.

1946, p. 358; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii8.

The commission is authorized, out of any funds available therefor, to purchase any bonds of the commission.

1946, p. 358; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii8.

Any bonds issued pursuant to the authority of this chapter are hereby made securities in which all public officers and bodies of this Commonwealth and all political subdivisions thereof, all insurance companies and associations, all savings banks and savings institutions, including savings and loan associations, in the Commonwealth, may properly and legally invest funds in their control.

1946, p. 364; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii24.

(a) The provisions of this section shall be applicable to a series of bonds of a commission only if the resolution or resolutions authorizing such series of bonds shall provide in substance that the holders of the bonds of such series shall be entitled to all the benefits, and be subject to the provisions of this section.

(b) In the event that the commission shall default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any bonds of such series after the same shall become due, whether at maturity or upon call for redemption, and such default shall continue for a period of thirty days, or in the event that the commission shall fail or refuse to comply with the provisions of this chapter relating to or affecting the payment or security of such bonds or the collection of fees, rents or charges, or other revenues therefor, or shall fail or refuse to carry out and perform the terms of any contract with the holders of any of such bonds, and such failure or refusal shall continue for a period of thirty days after written notice of its existence and nature to the commission the holders of twenty-five per centum in aggregate principal amount of such bonds then outstanding, by instrument or instruments filed with the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia and proved or acknowledged in the same manner as a deed to be recorded, may appoint a trustee to represent the holders of all bonds of such series for the purposes herein provided.

(c) Such trustee may, and upon written request of the holders of twenty-five per centum in principal amount of the bonds of such series then outstanding shall, in his or its name:

(1) By mandamus or other suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity, enforce all rights of the holders of such bonds, including the right to require the commission to collect fees, rents and other charges adequate to carry out any agreement as to, or pledge of, such fees, rents or other charges, or the revenues therefrom, and to require the commission to carry out and perform the terms of any contract with the holders of such bonds or its duties under this chapter;

(2) Bring suit upon all or any part of such bonds;

(3) By action or suit in equity, require the commission to account as if it were the trustee of an express trust for the holders of such bonds;

(4) By action or suit in equity, enjoin any act or thing which may be unlawful or in violation of the rights of the holders of such bonds;

(5) Declare all such bonds due and payable, whether or not in advance of maturity, and, if all defaults shall be made good, then with the consent of the holders of twenty-five per centum of the principal amount of such bonds then outstanding, annul such declaration and its consequences, provided that before declaring such bonds due and payable, the trustee shall first give thirty days' notice in writing to the commission.

(d) If the resolution or resolutions authorizing such series of bonds shall contain the provision authorized by subsection (a) of this section and shall further provide in substance that any trustee appointed pursuant to this section shall have the powers provided by subsection (c) of this section, then such trustee, whether or not all of the bonds of such series shall have been declared due and payable, shall be entitled as of right to the appointment of a receiver, who may enter upon and take possession of any facilities or property operated by the commission any of the revenues from the operation of which are pledged for the security of such bonds, and operate and maintain the same and fix, charge, collect and receive all fees, rents and other charges and other revenues thereafter arising from such operation in the same manner as the commission itself might do, and shall deposit all moneys collected in a separate account and apply the same in accordance with the duties and contracts of the commission in such manner as the court appointing such receiver shall direct.

(e) In any suit, action or proceeding by such trustee, the fees, counsel fees and expenses of such trustee and of the receiver, if any, shall constitute taxable costs and disbursements, and all costs and disbursements, allowed by the court shall be a first charge upon any fees, rents and other charges, and revenues of the commission pledged for the payment or security of such bonds.

(f) Such trustee shall, in addition to the foregoing, have and possess all of the powers necessary or appropriate for the exercise of any functions specifically set forth herein or incident to the general representation of the holders of the bonds of such series in the enforcement and protection of their rights.

1946, p. 358; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii9.

Should any bond issued by the commission become mutilated or be lost or destroyed the commission may cause a new bond of like date, number and tenor to be executed and delivered in exchange and substitution for, and upon the cancellation of, such mutilated bond and its interest coupons, or in lieu of and in substitution for such lost or destroyed bond and its unmatured interest coupons. Such new bond or coupon shall not be executed or delivered until the holder of the mutilated, lost or destroyed bond (1) has paid the reasonable expenses and charges in connection therewith and (2) in the case of a lost or destroyed bond, has filed with the chairman of the commission satisfactory evidence that such bond was lost or destroyed and that the holder was the owner thereof and (3) has furnished indemnity satisfactory to the commission.

1962, c. 204.

The Commonwealth does pledge to and agree with the holders of any bonds or other obligations issued by any commission pursuant to this chapter that the Commonwealth will not limit or alter the rights hereby vested in such commission to charge and collect such fees, rents and charges and other revenues as may be convenient or necessary in order to comply with the terms and provisions of any contract or contracts made by such commission with such holders, or in any way impair the rights and remedies of such holders, until the bonds and other obligations, together with interest thereon, with interest on any unpaid installments of interest, and all costs and expenses in connection with any action or proceeding by or on behalf of such holders are fully met and discharged.

1946, p. 365; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii27.

Pending the preparation, execution and delivery of definitive bonds of the commission to the purchaser of such bonds, interim certificates or other obligations may be issued by the commission to the purchaser. Such interim certificates or obligations shall be in such form and contain such terms, conditions and provisions as the commission issuing the same may determine.

1946, p. 359; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii10.

Each county, city or town in whole or in part embraced within a district shall, at the request of the commission, make available to the commission or the agents or employees thereof, any or all maps, plans, specifications, records, books, accounts or other data or things deemed necessary by the commission in the exercise of its powers and duties under this chapter.

1946, p. 362; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii21.

Each county, city, town or other public body shall promptly pay to any commission all fees, rents and charges which the commission may charge to it as owner or lessee or tenant of real estate in accordance with § 21-260 and shall provide for the payment thereof in the same manner as other obligations of such county, city, town or public body.

1946, p. 362; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii21.

Any commission, and any county, city or town in whole or in part outside of the district, is authorized to enter into a contract or contracts on such terms and conditions as such contract may contain, providing for or relating to the treatment and disposal of sewage or industrial wastes originating in such county, city or town, by means of the sewage disposal system or such other facilities as the commission may determine to provide for such purpose, and such county, city or town is authorized to do everything necessary or proper to carry out and perform every such contract and to provide for the payment or discharge of any obligation thereunder by the same means and in the same manner as any other of its obligations.

In the event any such contract is entered into in accordance with the provisions of this section, provision shall be made therein whereby the cost of rendering the services herein referred to, to such county, city or town, will be borne by such county, city or town.

1946, p. 362; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii21.

The powers conferred by this chapter on counties, cities and towns are in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law, and may be exercised by resolution of the governing bodies thereof without regard to the terms, conditions, requirements, restrictions or other provisions contained in any other law, general or special, except the State Water Control Law passed at the 1946 regular session of the General Assembly, or in any charter, except that where fees, rents and charges are fixed by a city or town, that power shall be exercised by ordinance.

1946, p. 363; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii21.

No county, city, town or other public body, or person shall discharge, or suffer to be discharged, directly or indirectly into any waters of the district any sewage, industrial wastes or other refuse which may or will cause or contribute to pollution of any waters of the district, provided, that this provision shall be applicable only to such part or parts of the waters of a district as shall be bounded and described in a notice, published in a newspaper or newspapers having, in the aggregate, general circulation in all of the counties and cities within which or bordering upon which such part or parts of the waters of the district are located, to the effect that the commission has provided facilities reasonably sufficient in its opinion for the disposal of sewage, which by discharge from public sewer systems might cause or contribute to pollution of the bounded and described part or parts of such waters, and that pollution of the same is forbidden by law. Such a notice shall constitute prima facie evidence of the existence of facilities sufficient for the disposal of such sewage. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit the disposal of sewage and industrial wastes in the manner in which the same is now being disposed of, or in any other reasonable manner, by any county, city or town, no part of which constitutes a part of any district, or by any person in any such county, city or town, no part of which constitutes a part of any district.

1946, p. 363; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii22.

No county, city, town or other public body, or person shall discharge, or suffer to be discharged, directly or indirectly, into the sewage disposal system or any other facilities of or provided by a commission, any matter or thing which is or may be injurious or deleterious to such sewage disposal system or other facilities.

1946, p. 363; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii22.

Jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of the two preceding sections and to grant any remedy or relief authorized by this article shall be in the circuit court of any county and in the corporation court of any city in whole or in part embraced within the district, or within which are located any waters of the district. The remedies, relief and jurisdiction authorized by this section shall be concurrent and cumulative.

1946, p. 364; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii22.

Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished accordingly.

1946, p. 365; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 1560iii28.