Sewer System

Fees. The cost of public sanitary sewer service is defrayed by user charges, rather than a county-wide tax, so that only those receiving the service bear the cost. Fees are set by the Board of Supervisors. Sewer service charges are based on the amount of water used for individual residences and are collected by the Fairfax County Water Authority, 698-5600. The quarterly charge is governed by a residence's water consumption during the prior winter quarter. Premises which have sanitary sewer service but no public water service are billed by the Fairfax County Water Authority.

Backup problems. The County Department of Public Works can determine the location free of charge and will dispatch a repair crew if the problem is in the County's sewer line. Call 323-1211 (24 hours). If the problem is on your premises or in the "lateral line" (from your premises to the County's sewer line), you are responsible for correcting it.

Other problems call the County Department of Public Works at 250-2003. Call the County Health Department at 246-2201 regarding septic systems or other health matters. For storm sewers, see FLOODING.