Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 62.1-44.19 (2026)

Approval of sewerage systems and sewage treatment works

✓ current as of May 2026
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A. Before any owner may erect, construct, open, expand or operate a sewerage system or sewage treatment works which will have a potential discharge or actual discharge to state waters, such owner shall file with the Board an application for a certificate in scope and detail satisfactory to the Board.

B. If the application involves a system or works from which there is or is to be a discharge to state waters, the application shall be given public notice by publication once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or city where the certificate is applied for or by such other means as the Board may prescribe. Before issuing the certificate, the Board shall consult with and give consideration to the written recommendations of the State Department of Health pertaining to the protection of public health. Upon completion of advertising, the Board shall determine if the application is complete, and if so, shall act upon it within 21 days of such determination. The Board shall approve such application if it determines that minimum treatment requirements will be met and that the discharge will not result in violations of water quality standards. If the Board disapproves the application, it shall state what modifications or changes, if any, will be required for approval.

C. After the certificate has been issued or amended by the Board, the owner shall acquire from the Department of Environmental Quality (i) authorization to construct the systems or works for which the Board has issued a discharge certificate and (ii) upon completion of construction, authorization to operate the sewerage system or sewage treatment works. These authorizations shall be obtained in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board.

D. Any owner operating under a valid certificate issued by the Board who fails to meet water quality standards established by the Board solely as a result of a change in water quality standards or in the law shall provide the necessary facilities approved by the Department of Environmental Quality, in accordance with the provisions of subsection C of this section, within a reasonable time to meet such new requirements. The Board may amend such certificate, or revoke it and issue a new one to reflect such facilities after proper hearing, with at least 30 days' notice to the owner of the time, place and purpose thereof. If such revocation or amendment of a certificate is mutually agreeable to the Board and the owner involved, the hearing and notice may be dispensed with.

E. The Board shall revoke the certificate in case of a failure to comply with all such requirements and may issue a special order under subdivisions (8a), (8b), and (8c) of § 62.1-44.15.

Code 1950, § 62.1-33; 1968, c. 659; 1970, c. 638; 1976, c. 661; 1991, c. 194; 2003, c. 614.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases, 1976–2013 · leading case: Crutchfield v. State Water Control Bd., 612 S.E.2d 249 (Va. Ct. App. 2005).
Crutchfield v. State Water Control Bd., 612 S.E.2d 249 (Va. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 6× “Code § 62.1-44.19. Here, substantial evidence supported the trial court’s ruling that the SWCB issued the permit in accordance with the applicable water control laws and regulations.”
All. to Save the Mattaponi v. Commonwealth, 519 S.E.2d 413 (Va. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 8× “5 *700 Code § 62.1-44.19 authorizes the Board, inter alia, to certify the construction, expansion or operation of a sewerage system or sewage treatment works and to determine minimum treatment requirements.”
Comm. Ex Rel. State Water Control Bd. v. Cnty. Utils. Corp., 12 Envtl. L. Rep. (Envtl. Law Inst.) 20892 (Va. 1982). “§62.1-44.19. Any owner aggrieved by a final decision of the Board in this respect may have judicial review in an appropriate circuit *540 court pursuant to §62.”
Food & Water Watch v. United States Env't Prot. Agency, 5 F. Supp. 3d 62 (D.D.C. 2013). “, Va. Code Ann. § 62.1-44.19 :12 (West 2013) (explaining that because of the 2000 Chesapeake Bay Agreement, the “General Assembly finds and determines that adoption and utilization of a watershed general permit and market-based point source nutrient credit trading program will…”
O'Brien v. Appomattox Cnty., Virginia, 213 F. Supp. 2d 627 (W.D. Va. 2002). · cites it 2× “During the 2001 legislative session, the General Assembly passed Va. Code Ann. § 62.1-44.19 :3(0. It provides, “Any county, city, or town may adopt an ordinance that provide for the testing and monitoring of the land application of sewage sludge within its political boundaries…”
Captain's Cove Util. Co. v. State Water Control Bd., 74 Va. Cir. 253 (Accomack Cir. Ct. 2007). · cites it 6× “Va. Code Ann. § 62.1-44.19 (B) (2006 Repl.”
Crutchfield v. State Water Control Bd., 64 Va. Cir. 211 (Richmond County Cir. Ct. 2004). · cites it 5× “See Va. Code § 62.1-44.19 and 9 VAC 25, ch. 31 (Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Regulations).”
State Water Control Bd. v. Captain's Cove Util. Co., Inc. (Va. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 4× “2 When DSS 1 Code § 62.1-44.19 requires “any owner” seeking to “construct” “a sewerage system or sewage treatment works which will have a potential discharge or actual discharge to state waters” to “file with the [State Water Control] Board an application for a certificate in…”
Stafford Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors v. Shanholtz, 9 Va. Cir. 394 (Richmond County Cir. Ct. 1976). · cites it 2× “Are the duties imposed upon defendant by Section 62.1-44.19 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, to review plans as therein set forth discretionary duties or ministerial duties? 2.”
South Wales Util., Inc. v. Commonwealth ex rel. State Water Control Bd., 22 Va. Cir. 16 (Culpeper Cir. Ct. 1990). · cites it 2× “Code Section 62.1-44.19(2). The SWCB, upon being advised of litigation pending in a court having jurisdiction concerning the locality’s certification required by Code § 62.”
Campbell Cnty. v. Royal (Va. 2012). “§ 62.1-44.19. Id. While not binding on this Court, I find a subsequent decision from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia that considered these code sections in deciding whether strict liability extended to the discharge of oil onto private…”
— Va. Code Ann. § 62.1-44.19(2) — 1 case
South Wales Util., Inc. v. Commonwealth ex rel. State Water Control Bd., 22 Va. Cir. 16 (Culpeper Cir. Ct. 1990). “Code Section 62.1-44.19(2). The SWCB, upon being advised of litigation pending in a court having jurisdiction concerning the locality’s certification required by Code § 62.”
— Va. Code Ann. § 62.1-44.19(A) — 2 cases
Crutchfield v. State Water Control Bd., 612 S.E.2d 249 (Va. Ct. App. 2005). “Code § 62.1-44.19. Here, substantial evidence supported the trial court’s ruling that the SWCB issued the permit in accordance with the applicable water control laws and regulations.”
Crutchfield v. State Water Control Bd., 64 Va. Cir. 211 (Richmond County Cir. Ct. 2004). “See Va. Code § 62.1-44.19 and 9 VAC 25, ch. 31 (Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Regulations).”
— Va. Code Ann. § 62.1-44.19(B) — 2 cases
Crutchfield v. State Water Control Bd., 612 S.E.2d 249 (Va. Ct. App. 2005). “Code § 62.1-44.19. Here, substantial evidence supported the trial court’s ruling that the SWCB issued the permit in accordance with the applicable water control laws and regulations.”
Captain's Cove Util. Co. v. State Water Control Bd., 74 Va. Cir. 253 (Accomack Cir. Ct. 2007). “Va. Code Ann. § 62.1-44.19 (B) (2006 Repl.”
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