Click here to access our permit manual: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/Permit-Manual-Final.pdf
Permit Types
Operation Permit
12VAC5-590-190 of the Waterworks Regulations requires all waterworks in Virginia to be operated under the authorization of an Operation Permit issued by the Commissioner.
A new Operation Permit is issued for
- New waterworks; or
- Waterworks that have a change in ownership.
An Operation Permit may be amended for
- Changes in source, treatment, storage, pumping or distribution facilities; or
- Operating conditions.
The permitted capacity of the waterworks is the limiting hydraulic capability of the waterworks, taking into consideration the source water withdrawal, treatment facilities, finished water storage, delivery and distribution system.
ODW issues 2 types of Operation Permits: Standard and Temporary.
- Standard Operation Permits have no expiration date.
- Temporary Operation Permits have an expiration date; typically 12 – 18 months from the issuance date. A Temporary Operation Permit allows additional time for the waterworks to achieve required reliability, collect additional data, and perform tests and/or determinations to establish hydraulic capacity and treatment performance.
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A Permit Application is required for all new Operation Permits. |
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An approved Waterworks Business Operations Plan may be required for new waterworks. |
Construction Permit
12VAC5-590-200 of the Waterworks Regulations requires an owner or authorized agent to submit an application for a permit from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to construct, expand, or modify a waterworks.
The following types of projects do not require a construction permit, if you have any questions about applicability, please contact ODWConstructionPermits@vdh.virginia.gov:
- Waterline projects approved by a locality with an ODW General Permit.
- Waterline projects serving less than 15 connections and consisting of pipes less than or equal to 8 inches in diameter and a design demand of less than 6,000 gallons per day.
- Replacement-in-kind and maintenance - Some examples include, replacing a 1,000 gallon pressure tank with another 1,000 gallon pressure tank with the same dimensions and appurtenances, replacing a chemical metering pump with a chemical metering pump of equal or greater capacity, or replacing a 2-inch water main with a 2-inch water main in the same street. Maintenance could include painting a storage tank or rebuilding a water service pump. Replacement and maintenance items must comply with all requirements of Part III of the Regulations.
- Projects not impacting the withdrawal, treatment, conveyance, or storage of drinking water, including water plant laboratories, or emergency generators.
If the project includes source (i.e. wells or intakes), pumping, storage, or treatment facilities, contact the regional ODW field office to determine if a Preliminary Engineering Conference (PEC) or Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) are required.
The Preliminary Engineering Conference (PEC) is a feasibility discussion that establishes the project's direction and scope for construction of a new waterworks or modification or expansion of an existing waterworks.
If a PER is required, you will be provided with details on the submittal process.
- Following completion of the PEC (if required), and approval of the PER (if required) and development of plans and specifications:
- The design engineer and applicant complete the Construction Permit Application, and submit the application and all submittal documents detailed in the application in pdf format to ODWConstructionPermits@vdh.virginia.gov. The ODW plan review engineer will contact you to confirm receipt. If you have not received this notice within 3 business days of submitting documents, please contact Aaron Moses at aaron.moses@vdh.virginia.gov or (540) 520-6507. Please note that state policy does not allow us to accept Drop Box or Google Drive downloads. Large files can be sent to us through SharePoint.
- All submittals must be accompanied by a completed construction permit application and all applicable design checklists. The purpose of the checklists is to ensure that design criteria required by the Virginia Waterworks Regulations are adequately addressed by the plans and specifications to allow for timely approval. All hydraulic models must be accompanied by a Hydraulic Model Summary and a Hydraulic Model Certification.
- Construction Permit Application
- Waterline Checklist
- Hydraulic Model Summary
- Hydraulic Model Certification
- Groundwater Well Checklist
- Pump Station Checklist
- Atmospheric Storage Tank Checklist
- Pressure Tank Checklist
- Liquid Chemical Feeder Checklist
- Powdered Chemical Feeder Checklist
- Hypochlorite Disinfection Checklist
- Fluoridation Checklist
- Iron and Manganese Control Checklist
- Cation Exchange Softening Checklist
ODW may request additional information or changes to submittal documents. When ODW determines that the submittal documents are acceptable, ODW will issue a construction permit. The construction permit provides authorization to construct the proposed project in accordance with the submitted documents.
Any deviations from the permitted submittal documents affecting the functioning of treatment processes or the water quality delivered must be approved by this Office before any such changes are made. If any such changes are made, submit revised plans and specifications to ODWConstructionPermits@vdh.virginia.gov in time to permit review and approval before construction. Note the associated construction permit number in this email.
- The owner must submit a Substantial Completion Statement signed by a professional engineer licensed in Virginia certifying that the work was completed in accordance with the approved documents to the regional ODW field office.
- Click to access the Statement of Completion Template Word Document
- If the construction permit requires a final inspection, the owner must schedule a final inspection to be performed by the regional ODW field office.
General Permit for Construction of Water Distribution Mains
In lieu of obtaining a construction permit for each distribution main project, a waterworks owner may elect to obtain a General Permit.
- All requests for a General Permit are directed initially to the appropriate ODW field office.
- The waterworks must have an approved Local Review Program that includes General Specifications and Plan Details (Standards) for water distribution mains.
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