Virginians enjoy more than 100,000 miles of streams and rivers, 248 publicly owned lakes, over a million acres of freshwater and coastal wetlands, and over 120 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline. Despite this bounty, the use of Virginia’s water resources must be actively managed to meet all the demands of a diverse, growing and dynamic state.  

DEQ is responsible for the equitable and sustainable management of surface water and groundwater resources. The agency also protects the many beneficial uses of these resources, including water supply to aquatic life and recreation. DEQ collects and analyzes data about water usage and the available volumes of surface and groundwater.

DEQ’s Office of Water Supply manages water resources through several integrated programs: Water supply planning and analysis, groundwater characterization, and groundwater monitoring. 

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