ARTICLE III. PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

(a) Certain systems prohibited. The installation of private sewer systems other than soil absorption systems approved by the latest edition of the Commonwealth of Virginia State Board of Health Sewage Handling and Disposal Regulations and the York County Sanitary Sewer Standards and Specifications are prohibited.

(b) When soil absorption systems are permissible. When any lot or parcel has been legally created or can be created by an otherwise approvable subdivision, and lies in an area where no public sewer which can serve the property is available, the building sewer may be connected to an approved soil absorption system if the site is determined by the health officer to be suitable for such a system to operate properly and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter

(c) Provision of primary and secondary absorption areas. Every lot or parcel of land proposed for development where an approvable soil absorption system is proposed shall have and provide both a primary and secondary absorption area. The secondary absorption area shall be equal in size to the primary area. Both the primary and required secondary absorption areas shall be located outside of any RPA that may apply to the property under the terms of Chapter 23.2 of the County code. The secondary absorption area shall be used only in the event the primary absorption area fails and not for the purpose of expansion of the primary absorption area in order to accommodate additions to or enlargement of, the structure or structures served by the system.

(d) Soil absorption systems provisions for building. Before commencement of construction of an approvable soil absorption system , the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the health officer. The application for such permit shall be on forms furnished by the Health Department, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications, and other information deemed necessary by the health officer. The type, capacity, location, and layout of a soil absorption system shall comply with all requirements of the Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Virginia and of this chapter. The approved permit issued by the health officer, along with any supporting data must be submitted with the application for a building permit.

(e) Same—Inspection by health officer. An approved soil absorption system shall not be utilized until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the health officer. The health officer shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the health officer when the work is ready for final inspection and before any underground portions are covered.

(f) Same -Maintenance. The owner shall operate and maintain the soil absorption system in a sanitary manner at all times and in accordance with any state health department requirements and the requirements of this chapter including any special conditions which may have been placed on the permit by the health officer. Each septic tank and/or pumping chamber should either be pumped out and the solids removed at least once every five (5) years, be inspected by a qualified person every five (5) years and pumped if necessary, or install a filter approved by the Health Department.  Documentation or other proof satisfactory to the County Administrator or his designee of compliance with the maintenance requirements of this section shall be submitted to the County Administrator or his designee upon request.

(g) Same—Correction of violations or malfunctions. When notified by the health officer or the county of a violation of any provision of this chapter or of a malfunction, the owner of a soil absorption system shall complete the prescribed corrective actions within sixty (60) days. Failure to make such correction shall be a violation of this chapter.

(h) Use of private systems prohibited. Nothing in this article shall be construed to permit the continued use of a private sewer system if connection to a public system is required by this chapter.

(Ord. No. 098-23(R), 11/18/98; Ord. No. 02-6(R-1), 7/16/02; Ord. No. 06-32, 12/19/06)