What's New
Virginia Draft Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan available
Virginia's Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan for the Chesapeake Bay TMDL
Upcoming public meetings:
- February 1: Powells Creek, Quantico Creek, South Fork Quantico Creek, North Branch Chopawamsic Creek, Austin Run, Accokeek Creek, Potomac Creek, Potomac Run, and UT to the Potomac River - Prince William, Stafford, Fauquier
- February 15: Flat Swamp, Three Creek (Lower and Upper), Mill Swamp, Darden Mill Swamp, and Tarrara Creek - Southampton County
Other information:
- Characterization of 2010 Base Flow and Pulse Flow Water Quality in the Jackson River
- Class VII - Swamp Waters Natural Conditions reports
- TMDL Progress Report (2000 - 2006) and Summary Booklet
- BST Analyses to support Virginia's TMDLs
- Virginia's Watershed Planning Process for Water Quality Management (A Continuing Planning Process)
- Public Participation Procedures for Water Quality Management Planning
TMDLs in Virginia
DEQ extensively tests Virginia's rivers, lakes, and tidal waters for pollutants. Over 130 different pollutants are monitored annually to determine whether the waters can be used for swimming, fishing and drinking. Most rivers, lakes and estuaries in Virginia do meet standards as described in our biennial 305(b) Water Quality Assessment Reports. Waters that do not meet standards are reported to the citizens of Virginia and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the 303(d) Impaired Waters Report. Those impaired waters are the subject of this web site.
DEQ has developed lists of impaired waters in every even year since 1992. This impaired waters list individually describes segments of streams, lakes, and estuaries that exhibit violations of water quality standards. The report details the pollutant responsible for the violations, and the cause and source of the pollutant. Since 1998, DEQ has developed plans, with public input, to restore and maintain the water quality for the impaired waters. These plans are called "Total Maximum Daily Loads," or TMDLs. TMDL is a term that represents the total pollutant a waterbody can assimilate and still meet standards.
