Last Updated: April 11, 2025
Environmental Health plays a huge role in RHHD’s public health work. In 2024 alone, this team conducted 4557 food service inspections, investigated 1,799 animal bite incidents to prevent rabies, and worked with more than 200 well and septic system applications—whew!
Mike Callahan says that RHHD’s well and septic system expertise are often untapped resources for our communities. Mike began EH work in Henrico in 2001—he and his team have decades of experience! Environmental Health maintains onsite records going back to the 1960s, so they can often help new homeowners or renters figure out what’s on the property.
If you have a well or septic system, it’s good to know the basics. Below, Mike shares some tips for keeping your wells and septic systems safe:
Know your well.
- Find your well’s location. Is your well on higher ground that will shed surface water, or is it located somewhere surface water might pool? Knowing the location of the well can help you make sure that any septic systems, fertilizers, or new drainage systems stay far away. You’ll also be able to plan when flooding occurs.
- Identify your well type. Do you have a modern, deep well or an older, bored well? That information will help you know how often your well should be tested for bacteria.
- Get to know your wellhead. The wellhead is the visible part of your water well. A normal wellhead should be fully sealed with no cracks. If you know what your wellhead looks like normally, you will be able to spot damage quickly and prevent contaminants from entering the water.
- Plan for testing. Bacteria testing quickly spots problems with your water supply. If you have a shallow bored well, you should plan to test every year. Drill wells can be tested every 3-5 years. Learn more about testing options through the Virginia Household Water Quality Program.
- Abandon responsibly. If you decide you no longer want to use the well on your property, call RHHD for help at 804-501-4529. We can complete the well abandonment permitting process at no charge.
Keep those septic systems functional!
- Find your septic system’s location. Know where your drain fields and distribution box are. This information is important because you should avoid driving or building structures on top of the septic system.
- Be conscious of your water usage. Leaks can flood out a septic system, so notice and fix them quickly.
- Take care of your drains. Pouring chemicals, paints, bleach, or water softeners down the sink can kill beneficial bacteria that break down waste in your septic system.
- Minimize garbage disposals. Foodstuff increases grease development in your septic system, which means you will have to pump it out more frequently.
- Maintain based on your septic system type. Knowing more about your system will help you plan for maintenance. If you can’t find this information, call 804-501-4529. Mike and his team can bring you a copy of your permit and walk you through your septic system’s needs.
For an overview of septic systems, care, and maintenance, check out the Environmental Protection Agency webpage.
Learn more about what Mike and our other Environmental Health teammates do at our Henrico and Richmond city webpages!
