In Virginia, the reclamation of either municipal or industrial wastewater and reuse of the reclaimed water is regulated in accordance with the Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulation (9VAC25-740). Facilities that will typically require a permit for water reclamation and reuse include reclamation systems, satellite reclamation systems and reclaimed water distributions systems. End users of the reclaimed water will rarely be required to obtain a permit.  

A reclamation system associated with wastewater treatment works that has or will have a surface water discharge will be covered under the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit issued to the wastewater treatment works. A reclamation system associated with wastewater treatment works that does not or will not have a surface water discharge will be covered under the Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) permit of the wastewater treatment works. Water reclamation systems independent of treatment works and reclaimed water distribution systems will require a VPA permit. 

In addition to either a VPDES or VPA permit application, applicants proposing a water reclamation and reuse project must complete the Water Reclamation and Reuse Application Addendum (Addendum) (MS Word - 236kb) for a VPDES or VPA Permit.  The Addendum is not a stand alone application form.

For existing VPA or VPDES permitted wastewater treatment works that will expand or modify their facilities to include water reclamation and reuse, there will be no fee in most cases, for a minor modification of a VPA permit or administrative authorization associated with a VPDES permit to add or attach standards, monitoring requirements and special conditions for water reclamation and reuse. The permittee, however, will be required to submit a complete Water Reclamation and Reuse Application Addendum and possibly some revised information on the VPDES and VPA permit application forms.

Guidance currently used by DEQ staff to implement the Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, specifically Guidance No. 10-2001, is available here.

The DEQ has funding available through the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (VCWRL Fund) for water reclamation and reuse projects that are publicly-owned and involve the treatment and reuse of municipal wastewater or sewage. The VCWRL Fund offers additional ranking points, as well as slightly reduced interest rates on the loans for projects that employ water reclamation and reuse technologies. Privately owned or industrial facilities are not eligible to receive loans from the VCWRL Fund.