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Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Environmental Quality
 
Board
State Water Control Board
 
chapter
Ground Water Withdrawal Regulations [9 VAC 25 ‑ 610]
 
Guidance Documents
Chapter Information
Description Establishes criteria for the declaration of ground water management areas and criteria for the issuance of ground water withdrawal permits for withdrawers of ground water in excess of 300,000 gallons permit month in a declared area.
State Authority Sections 62.1-254 - 62.1-270 of the Code of Virginia
Federal Authority n/a
Text of Regulation Link to Virginia Administrative Code
Goals of Regulation To protect public health and/or welfare with the least possible costs and intrusiveness to the citizens and businesses of the Commonwealth.

To minimize the impacts of new permitted withdrawals on pre-existing ground water users to be measured by the number of documented reports of unmitigated impacts on existing ground water users atributable to permitted withdrawals.

To preserve existing high quality ground water for future beneficial uses to be measured by the number of documented reports of ground water quality declines (specifically increases in chloride concentrations) at permitted withdrawal sites that monitor ground water quality.
Meetings See all meetings (11) relating to this chapter.

Contact Information
Name / Title: Eric Seavey 
Address: 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218
Email Address: eric.seavey@deq.virginia.gov
Telephone: (804)754-6250    FAX: ()-    TDD: ()-
Current Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
Amendments Establishing Criteria for Water Auditing Plans and Leak Detection and Repair Plans and Requiring Applications to Include Plans Final Final Adoption period is underway and will end on 08/13/2025.

Past Actions
Action Title Latest Stage Status
2024 40 CFR Part 136 Reference Update/Methods Update Rule
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/18/2024.
Amendment to the Virginia Water Protection Permit Program Regulation (9VAC25-210 et seq.) and Groundwater Withdrawal Regulations (9VAC25-610 et seq.) in response to Chapter 251 of the 2024 Virginia Acts of Assembly
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/25/2024.
2023 40 CFR Reference Update/Methods Update Rule
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 03/27/2024.
Final Exempt CH 610 Changes in Response to 2022 Board Bill
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/23/2022.
Creation of a General Permit for Use of the Surficial Aquifer on the Eastern Shore Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 12/21/2022.
9VAC25-610 DMME Name Change
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/27/2021.
Chapter 610 Citation Correction
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/04/2019.
Incorporate Statutory Changes Related to New Subdivisions Served by Private Wells
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/14/2018.
Amend Permit Term and Permit Fee - Chapter 424 of 2018 Acts of Assembly
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 11/14/2018.
40 CFR Annual Update 2017 and Methods Update Rule
Action is Exempt from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act
Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 06/13/2018.
Amendment to the Groundwater Withdrawal Regulations (Rev. A15) Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 09/22/2016.
Periodic Review and Amendment Final Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 01/01/2014.

Periodic Reviews
Last Activity Status
4/10/2019 Agency Completed Amend
5/17/2013 Agency Completed Retain As Is