PURPOSE OF NOTICE: 

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is announcing the availability of the 2024 Water Quality Monitoring Plan (Monitoring Plan). The 2024 Monitoring Plan is available on the agency’s website at:

https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/water-quality/monitoring/water-quality-monitoring-plan

An interactive map of the 2024 monitoring plan stations will be posted in mid-February through DEQ’s online GIS map viewer at the following link: https://apps.deq.virginia.gov/EDM/

BACKGROUND:

Every year, DEQ staff from the agency’s six regional offices collect water samples for testing from more than 1,500 locations across the Commonwealth.  The agency’s various monitoring activities for each calendar year are outlined in the annual statewide Monitoring Plan.

2024 MONITORING PLAN:

The 2024 Monitoring Plan summarizes DEQ’s water quality monitoring activities to be conducted from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, and is developed for the purpose of implementing the goals and objectives of DEQ’s Water Quality Monitoring Strategy, available at: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/water-quality/monitoring. This water quality information is presented in compliance with the Virginia Water Quality Monitoring, Information and Restoration Act (VA Code § 62.1-44.19:5) to help ensure public awareness of water quality issues and conditions.  The Monitoring Plan contains detailed information on DEQ’s monitoring activities including the station locations, specific conditions, frequency of monitoring and costs.

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Requests for more information on the 2024 Monitoring Plan can be directed to Roger Stewart at (804) 659-1384 or Roger.Stewart@DEQ.Virginia.gov.  Additional information is also available on DEQ’s Water Quality Monitoring website at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/water-quality/monitoring

CITIZEN NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2024 MONITORING PLAN:

Citizens can nominate portions of lakes, streams. and rivers of Virginia for water quality monitoring by DEQ. Nominations received on or before April 30, 2024, will be considered for inclusion in DEQ’s 2025 Monitoring Plan. More information on the citizen nomination process is available on DEQ’s Citizen Monitoring website at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/water-quality/monitoring/citizen-monitoring. Contact Meighan Wisswell at 571-866-6494 or citizenwater@deq.virginia.gov, for more information.