The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recently applauded Hampton Roads’ web-based Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reporting System (SSORS), noting in a July 31, 2012 memorandum to HRPDC that “SSORS reporting is viewed as one of the best sewage notification systems in the Commonwealth.” SSORS, which is administered by HRPDC and funded by local governments and the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD), is used by wastewater utilities to document and immediately report sewer spills to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and VDH.

Timely reporting through SSORS facilitates DEQ and VDH actions to protect public health and the environment. VDH uses SSORS to assess sanitary sewer overflow impacts to drinking water sources, shellfish waters, fish consumption, and recreational swimming areas. Follow-up may include beach closures, fishing advisories, water quality testing, and other regulatory actions.

The recent SSORS user group meeting resulted in confirmation of system reliability and performance, reinforcement of user and VDH understanding of system functionality, and recommendations for future system upgrades. Through SSORS, local governments, HRSD, and HRPDC continue to support water quality and public health protection efforts across the region.