In 1993, DEQ started fish tissue monitoring on the James River and its tributaries. In 2004, the Virginia Department of Health issued a fish consumption advisory after test samples taken by DEQ revealed elevated levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs. This prompted DEQ to begin developing an extensive and challenging cleanup plan (known technically as a TMDL) for the James River. As the watershed is so large, the initiative has been divided into two projects. The first project consists of the Elizabeth River, all 110 miles of the tidal James River from Richmond to its mouth and tidal portions of its tributaries. The second project includes the Jackson River, Maury River and the remaining 236 miles of the James River from its headwaters to Richmond. The table below show the cities and counties covered by each project.

Within the James River Watershed, extending from its headwaters in the Appalachian Mountains to the fall line in Richmond, there are three river segments where monitoring has shown that the fish have unsafe levels of PCBs in their tissue. As a result, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs, also known as cleanup plans) are being developed to reduce the amount of PCBs in these rivers and the fish that live in them.

The river segments to be studied include 13 miles of the Jackson River, 17 miles of the Maury River and 182 miles of the James River. Since 2004, VDH issued fish consumption advisories on portions of the Maury River and James River based on the high levels of PCBs that DEQ monitoring revealed in fish tissue. Additionally, water monitoring data found PCB concentrations above the PCB water quality criterion in Fishing Creek (six-mile segment), located in Lynchburg, and Reedy Creek (one-mile segment), in Richmond. These two creek segments and the three river segments are identified as impaired for PCBs on Virginia’s 2022 impaired waters list.

To support the development of a cleanup study for these waterways, DEQ collected 155 water column samples and 41 sediment samples from river bottoms at 63 locations from 2017-2019. Additional fish tissue samples were also collected at select locations throughout this time to support the existing data record that began in 1995.This dataset now contains data from nine separate years totaling 440 samples at 57 locations. The map below shows the sample locations and PCB impairments within the study area watershed.

It is important to have public input throughout the cleanup study development process. Among many possible benefits, this input helps to ensure that the final pollution reductions are reasonable, realistic and reflect local insight. If you would like to stay informed about this project, contact Mark Richards at Mark.richards@deq.virginia.gov or 804-659-1126.

Presentations and Meeting Materials

First Public Meeting: Jan. 12, 2021

• Comment-Response Document
• First Public Meeting Presentation
• Recording of Meeting
• Meeting Announcement and Public Comment Period Information

Fish tissue monitoring began on the Elizabeth River in 1993, and in the tidal James River and tributaries in the following years. In 2004, the Virginia Department of Health issued a fish consumption advisory for the Elizabeth River, the tidal James River and its tidal tributaries. Water quality monitoring to support the development of a cleanup plan began in 2009, with around 275 water column and sediment samples collected. Data from this monitoring effort allowed for an assessment of PCB sources and also identified additional PCB hotspots in six tributaries.

In an effort to make fish safer to eat by cleaning up PCBs in the area, DEQ began developing a cleanup plan. The collected data was used to develop an initial computer model to determine PCB levels and identify the reductions necessary to meet water quality standards. The goal is to complete the project by the end of 2022. 

It is important to have public input throughout the cleanup plan development process. Among many possible benefits, this input helps to ensure that the final pollution reductions are reasonable, realistic and reflect local insight. If you would like to stay informed about this project, contact Mark Richards at Mark.Richards@DEQ.Virginia.gov or 804-698-4392.

Public Meetings

 Tidewater Region (TRO) Meeting – Jan. 26, 2021

• Meeting Announcement and Public Comment Period Information
• Meeting Presentation
• Recording of Meeting

Piedmont Region (PRO) Meeting – Jan. 28, 2021

• Meeting Announcement and Public Comment Period Information
• Meeting Presentation
• Recording of Meeting

DEQ worked with VIMS to provide structural support for the TMDL modeling. Presentations on their work were given at the TRO meeting and the PRO meeting.

Comment-Response Document from First Public Meetings

Piedmont Region (PRO) Technical Advisory Subcommittee Meeting – March 25, 2021

• Meeting Presentation
• Recording of Meeting
• Meeting Summary

Tidewater Region (TRO) Technical Advisory Subcommittee Meeting – March 30, 2021

• Meeting Presentation
• Recording of Meeting
• Meeting Summary

DEQ started monitoring fish in Mountain Run in Culpeper in 1999; monitoring was also conducted in 2001. In 2004, the Virginia Department of Health issued a fish consumption advisory for American eel (≤2 meals/month). Additional DEQ fish tissue monitoring occurred in 2006 and 2013. In preparation for PCB TMDL development, monitoring of PCBs in the water column and in the creek bottom (sediment) of Mountain Run and its tributaries occurred in 2013 through 2015 and in 2018.

Presentations and Meeting Materials

First Technical Advisory Committee Meeting: Jan. 12, 2021

• Meeting Presentation
• Meeting Recording

First Public Meeting: Jan. 13, 2021

• Meeting Presentation
• Meeting Recording
• Meeting Public Comment Response

Second Technical Advisory Committee Meeting: Jul. 26, 2022

• Meeting Presentation
• Meeting Minutes
• Fact Sheet

Final Public Meeting: September 6, 2023

• Meeting Announcement and Public Comment Period Information
• Meeting Agenda
• Draft report
• Meeting Presentation
• Meeting Summary

DEQ is working with Virginia Tech's Biological Systems Engineering department to provide structural support for the TMDL modeling. Presentations on their work were given at the public meeting and the TAC meeting.

Below are various PCB monitoring, analysis and pollutant minimization resources for regulated point sources.

PCB Pollution Minimization Plan Guidance

*PMP guidance under development*

Supporting documentation

• Pollution Minimization Plan Technical Resource Guide
• Table 1 - Media and Technologies
• Table 2 - Technology Summaries

PCB Monitoring and Analysis

TMDL Guidance Memo No. 09-2001 provides a listing of the different types of point source categories that should be screened for PCBs. Additionally, an expanded list of recommended point source types for PCB screening was prepared by SIC code. The guidance also includes recommended procedures for sample collection, PCB analysis using EPA Method 1668, and PCB reporting requirements.

• Guidance for Monitoring of Point Sources for TMDL Development Using Low-Level PCB Method 1668
• Monitoring of Point Sources, Amendment No. 1
• PCB laboratories
• Virginia Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (VELAP) (where to find accredited laboratories)

Electronic Deliverable Data (EDD) files available for download in accordance with the PBC Point Source Monitoring Guidance Appendix E. Note: The three interactive spreadsheets are the most current available (as of April 7, 2014) and should be used for future PCB data submittals.

• Analytical Results (February 2013)
• Location (May 2011)
• Chain of Custody (January 2012)

Procedures to Review Method 1668 Data and Derive Total PCB Concentrations

TMDL Guidance Memo No. 14-2004 outlines steps for:

1. Ensuring a standardized procedure to review data
2. Calculating Total PCB Concentrations.

• Procedures for Reviewing and Determining PCB concentrations from samples analyzed using low-level PCB method 1668 to be used in the development and implementation of TMDLs
• Supplemental Documents (current as of April 7, 2014):
  • "How To" Review, Blank Correct and Calculate Total PCB
  • tPCB Auto-CALC Interactive Spreadsheet