DEQ Announces $20 Million in Grants to Reduce Water Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay  Read more
	Now Available! Surface Water Withdrawal Data Portal Read more
	Stormwater Grants for Local Governments – Apply now! Read more
	Sign Up Today for DEQ’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Webinar Read more
	Register Today! DEQ E-Tools and Resources Webinar Read more
	Virginia FY25 EPA Brownfields Grant Webinar Read more
	DEQ Disburses $150.7 Million in ARPA Funds for Wastewater Improvements Read more
	DEQ Staff Tour Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s New Facility Expansions Read more
	New Legislative Information System (LIS) Launching on September 23 Read more
	DEQ Supports VDH Water Quality Investigation in Orange County Read more
	More Good News for Tangier Island Read more
	Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program Hosts Virginia Ocean Plan Forum Read more
	DEQ Office Spotlight: Valley Regional Office Agricultural Program Read more

DEQ Announces $20 Million in Grants to Reduce Water Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay 

As part of Virginia’s enduring commitment to restoring the Chesapeake Bay, DEQ has announced the innovative $20 million Pay-For-Outcomes Nonpoint Source Pollution Reduction grant program. Nonpoint pollution sources do not usually come from one place like a pipe, but instead runoff from larger areas and are the largest manageable sources of pollution entering the Bay. This one-year pilot program will provide payments based on the number of pounds of pollution actually removed or prevented. DEQ intends that the Pay-For-Outcomes program will help identify cost-effective means of reducing nonpoint source pollution and encourage innovation. In doing so, Virginia will continue its commitment to improving the environmental quality of the Chesapeake Bay. Applications are due Feb. 3, 2025. An informational webinar will be held on Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. Additional information, including a link to register for the webinar, is available on the DEQ website. 

Now Available! Surface Water Withdrawal Data Portal

In response to higher volumes of information requests and in an effort to improve agency transparency, DEQ has published a brand-new page for the most recent surface water withdrawal data. Now instead of submitting a Freedom of Information Act request, members of the public can view the data anytime online.  

The Surface Water Withdrawal Data link can be found on the DEQ Water Supply Planning page  under Resources.  Monthly surface water withdrawal data is uploaded to this myDEQ portal page and can be categorized by date, facility, Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC12) location, or permit number.  The data includes surface water withdrawal volumes for both permitted and unpermitted facilities that are required to report this information to DEQ.   Additionally, there is a HUC 12/6th Order Boundary Map link to help with determining watershed boundaries in Virginia and obtain HUC12 codes.

Stormwater Grants for Local Governments – Apply now!

DEQ’s Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) is accepting applications through October 1. This fund provides financial assistance for nutrient credit purchases and several types of stormwater projects – including stream and wetland restoration, new stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) and BMP retrofits. Completed SLAF applications must be submitted via the MyDEQ Portal. In addition to the online application submittal, applicants must submit hard copies of certain documents associated with each project type. Hard copy submissions must be postmarked by October 1 and mailed to DEQ, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, Richmond, VA 23219 or PO Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218 – Attn: CWFAP Deputy Director. Visit our website for more information.

Sign Up Today for DEQ’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Webinar

On Oct. 10, join DEQ for an introduction to the second phase of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) action planning process. This webinar will discuss the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), which is the second plan required under the CPRG planning grant. The CCAP will cover all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions sectors and evaluate current and future projected GHG emissions under several different scenarios. The webinar will describe the general action plan development process and the required components of the plan. Other topics to be covered include: 1) a review of the progress made by DEQ under the CPRG program to date, 2) the current GHG inventory for Virginia, and 3) the planning and engagement process and schedule.
Please register for one of the two webinar sessions below on the CPRG Comprehensive Climate Action Plan process.

October 10, 2024 (11:00am - 12:00pm) 
October 10, 2024 (6:00pm - 7:00pm) 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. A recording of the webinar will also be provided to registered participants.

Register Today! DEQ E-Tools and Resources Webinar

DEQ and the Mid-Atlantic Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities program are hosting a webinar Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. to provide an overview of 2025 EPA Brownfields Grant requirements. Attendees will learn about state-specific requirements, resources, and tips for a successful application. Bring questions about your site(s) and get the inside scoop from your EPA Project Officer! Did you attend the introduction to this series, Brownfields Breaking News: Mid-Atlantic TAB, Grant Season, and More? Get a refresher or watch it for the first time here!

 DEQ Disburses $150.7 Million in ARPA Funds for Wastewater Improvements

DEQ is pleased to announce that it has disbursed $150.7 million and counting in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to wastewater treatment plants across Virginia. These funds are investments to address much-needed combined sewer overflows, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. Wastewater projects include collection and conveyance systems, advanced and enhanced nutrient removal, and the retirement of aging septic systems. So far, recipients of these funds include the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, Cities of Richmond and Lynchburg, and the Towns of Quantico and Wachapreague. In total, DEQ plans to disburse $656.7 million in ARPA funds to assist wastewater infrastructure maintenance and upgrades across the Commonwealth.

DEQ Staff Tour Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s New Facility Expansions

Recently, DEQ staff were provided a boat tour by the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) of the new Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) expansions at their Nansemond facility. SWIFT intends to reduce land subsidence and impacts of relative sea-level rise, create a sustainable ground water supply, and reduce nutrient discharge to the Chesapeake Bay. 

As part of HRSD’s SWIFT implementation and compliance with the Enhanced Nutrient Removal Certainty Program, HRSD's Boat Harbor facility in Newport News is slated for closure, with flow transferring across the James River to HRSD's Nansemond facility. The Nansemond facility is undergoing an expansion now to accept that flow and the Nansemond SWIFT facility will have the capacity to treat the combined dry weather flows from Boat Harbor and Nansemond. This tour was an opportunity for DEQ staff to view the HRSD work from the water and see the Boat Harbor force main construction in action. 

HRSD’s design-build contractor, Garney/Dewberry, is installing the force main in the James River using the open-cut marine trenching technique. The open-cut marine trenching technique uses equipment staged on a series of four barges that will excavate a trench in the river sediments, weld pipe sections, attach anchor blocks to the pipe, place the pipe in the bottom of the trench, and backfill the trench. Divers will be in the water periodically to perform selected under-water tasks and to ensure the work’s quality.

New Legislative Information System (LIS) Launching on September 23

The Division of Legislative Automated Systems (DLAS) and the Clerk’s Offices of the House of Delegates and the Senate are excited to announce the Sept. 23 launch of a new Legislative Information System (LIS). The new LIS website has been built upon feedback from Virginia General Assembly staff and other LIS users, and is designed to create a new, more secure, and overall improved experience.

New and updated features to LIS include advanced search capability, cloud architecture, enhanced system security and safeguards, increased process automation, accessing data through APIs, and mobile compatibility. The URL for LIS will remain unchanged, but the login credentials have changed for existing Lobbyist-in-a-Box (LIAB) users. When logging on to LIS for the first time, LIAB users will use the email address they registered with instead of their UserID. The login password will remain the same, but users will be prompted to create a new password after successfully logging in for the first time. For questions about the new LIAB login process on LIS, please call (804) 786-9631 or email LIS@dlas.virginia.gov.

DEQ Supports VDH Water Quality Investigation in Orange County

On Aug. 21, residents in Orange County reported fuel-like odors in their tap water to the Radian Service Authority (RSA). Upon confirmation of the odor at the water treatment plant, RSA immediately notified the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (VDH-ODW). In response, a "Do Not Use" advisory was issued to over 13,000 customers while DEQ launched an investigation into the source of the contamination. 

The investigation involved multiple DEQ programs, including the Petroleum, EPCRA, Water Compliance, and Hazardous Waste Compliance programs, as well as Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment. Initial inquiries examined the possibility of a pipeline release, nearby industrial activities, recent pollution and sewer overflow reports, and other potential contamination sources. However, none of these investigations identified a clear cause.

Expert panels were convened to explore additional investigative avenues, and the feedback led to further actions by RSA and VDH. Water samples were collected and sent to various labs, including one in Texas, led by a renowned expert in taste and odor compounds. This collaboration was made possible through professional networks and the involvement of DEQ.

As the odor diminished, the advisory was downgraded from "Do Not Use" to "Do Not Drink," and was ultimately lifted. Nevertheless, the Governor and state officials urged continued efforts to pinpoint the source of the contamination. The combined efforts of VDH-ODW, DEQ, and the Texas expert led to the identification of a potential source, with further evaluations underway. The investigation is expected to conclude in the coming weeks.

More Good News for Tangier Island

Earlier this month the Town of Tangier was selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP). This is a funding and technical assistance program that provides assistance to geographically isolated communities that face unique energy challenges. Tangier seeks to leverage ETIPP assistance to develop an energy transition plan that charts a pathway to a cleaner, more resilient future for the island, potentially starting with a full utility-scale microgrid. Entry into the program includes a $50,000 grant.  Part of these grant funds will be used to switch the fuel source of 21 homes currently heated with kerosene, which will eliminate the need to provide kerosene storage on the island. 

Participating in the energy transition program, along with the $2.3 million grant recently provided by DEQ, will allow Tangier Island to implement several important environmental protection and mitigation projects. One of the largest projects is replacement of the island’s fuel storage facility with tanks that provide secondary containment to prevent spills or breeches from reaching the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. 

Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program Hosts Virginia Ocean Plan Forum 

Recently, the Virginia Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program hosted a dynamic Community Open Forum at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach, where over 60 participants gathered to discuss the development of a Virginia Ocean Plan. The forum brought together experts and community members to explore ocean use management and resource preservation.

DEQ staff were excited to meet Amber Zufelt, Mrs. USA Earth Water 2024 and naval officer in Norfolk! Her commitment to environmental issues, including Keep Virginia Beautiful's "Kicking Butts" program to reduce cigarette litter and microplastic pollution, aligns perfectly with Virginia CZM and DEQ goals.

Want to add your voice? Join Virginia CZM’s virtual forum on Oct. 23 or take their brief survey. Your input will help shape the future of Virginia’s ocean planning.

DEQ Office Spotlight: Valley Regional Office Agricultural Program

The DEQ Valley Regional Office Agricultural Program Team, located in Harrisonburg, continues to strengthen working relationships with the poultry industry and other regulated agriculture communities through the active engagement of new staff members. After decades of service, several of the program’s staff celebrated their retirements. This left a tremendous void of experience and knowledge for a region that, by far, has the most agricultural permits, agricultural community and agricultural industry to serve. To ensure minimal disruption in service. DEQ quickly hired a program team leader and three inspectors who have an extensive agricultural background and a working knowledge of the agricultural industry. Since then, the new team has been hard at work establishing themselves with the public and industry leaders.

In February 2024, the team spoke about the new poultry litter reporting requirements at the Virginia Poultry Federation Lunch and Learn, where valuable connections were made with poultry growers and poultry industry representatives. The Valley Regional Office Agricultural Program also assumed responsibility for covering the permitted agricultural community in the Northern Region boundaries and hosted an outreach event in July 2024 that was sponsored by the Virginia Dairyman's Association and the Virginia Poultry Federation with support from the Virginia Cattleman's Association, Cargill Turkeys, and the Virginia Poultry Growers Co-operative. The same month, the team spoke to nearly 200 poultry growers and poultry industry representatives at the Virginia Poultry Federation Health and Management Seminar held at James Madison University. Much of the presentation focused on what flock supervisors and managers can do to help their growers maintain environmental compliance.

This is only the beginning for the Agricultural Program’s outreach efforts. For any questions or to stay in touch, please contact the program manager, Doug Hughes.