In order to protect the streams and rivers of the City of Suffolk and the Chesapeake Bay, the City has responded to a State law that requires owners of septic tanks to pump out at least once every five (5) years or have a sewage hauler inspect the system and certify that it does not need to be pumped out. By having a septic tank pumped, the number of solids leaving the septic tank and migrating into the drainfield is greatly reduced which allows the drainfield to function as designed for a much greater length of time and also reduces groundwater pollution.  
 
Approximately two-thirds of the City is located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed as shown on the Septic Tank Pump Out Program map. Within this watershed, the City has assigned five (5) zones for compliance which will be implemented from July 2009 through June 2014 when the process will start over again.  Areas further to the south are within the watershed that drains toward the Albemarle Sound and are not required to pump out but are encouraged to do so on a regular basis.
 
As of July 1, 2009, the City started sending letters to those property owners who live in Zone 1 (Area west of NansemondRiver, east of Godwin Boulevard, north of the Route 58 Bypass and south of the Isle of Wight county line) and who are served by a septic system. Those owners will have until June 30, 2010 to get their tanks pumped out. A copy of the receipt from the hauler as well as the Property Owner's Certification form needs to be returned to the Department of Planning and Community Development in order to ensure compliance with this requirement. This cycle will continue over a 5-year period with letters being mailed out in July of each year for each of the remaining zones. For property owners who have had their tank pumped out within the past 5 years, a copy of the haulers receipt would need to be provided to the City. For newly constructed houses, that are less than 5 years old, owners would only need to let the City know the age and address of the house.   

The septic tank pump out program is mandated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Board with no funding provided by the State.  The property owners are responsible for paying for the pump out.  The Health Department can provide a list of sewage haulers who have been certified by the State for providing this service. 
 
For questions or for more information, contact the Department of Planning and Community Development at 514-4060 or the Health Department at 514-4751.

 

 

The Southeastern Public Service Authority will be on hand to take household hazardous waste such as paint, batteries, aerosol cans, pesticides and degreasers. Residents will also be able to recycle tires, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, newspaper and glass. We do ask that residents be sensible and considerate of other residents with their tires. This is not a tire amnesty event. "What we recycle today will go a long way toward a cleaner environment tomorrow. The answers to the question, 'Why recycle?' are countless," said Hattie Lester, Suffolk Litter Control Coordinator. "One that sticks out in my head is to save landfill space."  

 

Shred-It! will also be on hand for on-site paper shredding. Residents are encouraged to bring old tax forms and other sensitive documents in their home files that need shredding.

 

There will be giveaways sponsored by the Suffolk Clean Community Commission.