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Connect to the Public Sanitary Sewer System
ON THIS PAGE
Sanitary Sewer Ownership
Sanitary (wastewater) and stormwater sewers are not the same in Fairfax County. View a diagram of proper and improper connections to the sanitary system and where private ownership responsibilities begin and end.
Approved Sewer Service AreaApproved Sewer Service Area
In order to connect a structure to the sanitary sewer, it must be located within the approved sewer service area and public sewer must be deemed available to the property. On July 2, 1979, the Board of Supervisors adopted the following wording to clarify Board policies on extending sanitary sewer service:
"The delineation of the sewer service area boundary is determined to include the immediately adjacent area which can be served by the smallest allowable gravity lines installed in accord with the normal engineering practices which will result in the safest and most cost-effective operations and, further, any extension of a sewer line across the surface drainage divide of an approved sewer service area shall not exceed a distance of 400 feet nor a manhole depth of 12 feet without approval by the Board of Supervisors."
Outside the Approved Sewer Service Area?
Serving someone beyond 400 feet outside of the approved sewer service area (ASSA) with public sewer will require an expansion of the ASSA. Expansion of the ASSA must be considered and adopted by the Board of Supervisors, if an existing structure has a failed or failing on-site sewage disposal system which poses an imminent health threat to the public and the environment. Expansion of the ASSA must be adopted by the Board of Supervisors and requires documented public and/or environmental health issues validated by the Health Department.
Please note that historically, the Board of Supervisors has not allowed an expansion of the ASSA for new development and redevelopment. The expansion process starts with the Department of Planning and Development in collaboration with Wastewater Management.
To request public sewer extension beyond 400 feet outside the ASSA, please contact the Department of Planning and Development at 703-324-1380 , TTY 711, provided the above conditions are met.
Questions about the Fairfax County Sewer Service Area?
Call the Wastewater Planning and Monitoring Division at 703-324-5015 , TTY 711.
Public Sanitary Sewer AvailabilityPublic Sanitary Sewer Availability
- For single-family attached or detached dwelling units: within 300 feet of the structure.
- All other structures: within 500 feet of the structure.
Pumped sewage systems will only be permitted in unusual circumstances when it can be proven that gravity connection to the sanitary sewer is technically unfeasible.
Any extension of public sewer shall be made at the expense of the owner of the premises to be served.
