A Virginia law requiring mandatory maintenance for all alternative onsite systems activates on July 1, 2009. According to K.R. “Trapper” Davis of Coastal Plains Environmental Group in New Kent, alternative technologies include aerobic treatment units, peat biofilters and soil-based systems such as drip dispersal, low-pressure pipe, or mounds used with septic tank effluent. On that date, certified maintenance operators, installers, soil evaluators and designers must be licensed by passing a test and showing experience. Licensed alternative onsite system evaluators (ASOE) and designers (ASOD) may design systems of 1,000 gpd or less for single-family homes. Anything above that requires an engineer
