FARMVILLE — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is joining the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in recognizing Sept. 18-22 as SepticSmart Week throughout Virginia. According to a press release, SepticSmart Week is an annual initiative to remind homeowners of the importance of maintaining their on-site sewage disposal systems.

“In the Piedmont Health District — which contains Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward Counties — the majority of homes are on septic systems,” officials said in the release. 

VDH advises that homeowners should have their system inspected every three years by a licensed contractor and have their tank pumped when necessary.