PURPOSE OF NOTICE:

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is announcing the availability of the 2019 Water Quality Monitoring Plan (MonPlan). The 2019 MonPlan is now available on the agency’s website at the following link: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs/WaterQualityMonitoring/AnnualWaterQualityMonitoringPlan.aspx.

A map view of the 2019 MonPlan is available through DEQ’s VEGIS viewer at the following link:  https://apps.deq.virginia.gov/mapper_ext/default.aspx?service=public/wimby&bg=World%20Topo%20Map&lon=-77.46749195575637&lat=37.51854854802639&scale=288895&vis=[{"name":"public/wimby","vis":[0,9,30]}]

BACKGROUND:

Every year, DEQ staff from the agency’s six regional offices collect water samples for testing from more than 1,000 locations across the commonwealth.  The agency’s various monitoring activities for each calendar year are outlined in the annual statewide MonPlan.

2019 MONPLAN:

The 2019 MonPlan 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 2013 Water Quality Monitoring Strategy[1]. This water quality information is presented in compliance with the Virginia Water Quality Monitoring, Information and Restoration Act (§ 62.1-44.19:5) to help ensure public awareness of water quality issues and conditions.  The MonPlan contains detailed information on DEQ’s monitoring activities including the station locations, specific conditions, frequency of monitoring and costs.

BACTERIA MONITORING PILOT:

Virginia is in the process of adopting the updated bacteria criteria for human health protection in recreational waters[2].  In order to prepare to fully assess against the new bacteria criteria once it has been adopted, DEQ is piloting high frequency (i.e., weekly or biweekly during the recreational season) bacteria monitoring at approximately 40 monitoring stations across the state. DEQ plans to host a webinar in late 2019 to review the results of the pilot, and discuss plans for future monitoring and assessment.

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Requests for more information on the 2019 MonPlan can be directed to Roger Stewart at 804-698-4449 or Roger.Stewart@DEQ.Virginia.gov.  Additional information is also available on DEQ’s Water Quality Monitoring website at  http://www.DEQ.Virginia.gov/Programs/Water/WaterQualityInformationTMDLs/WaterQualityMonitoring.aspx 

CITIZEN NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2020 MONPLAN:

Citizens can nominate portions of lakes, streams and rivers of Virginia for water quality monitoring by DEQ. Nominations received on or before April 30, 2019, will be considered for inclusion in DEQ’s 2020 MonPlan. More information on the citizen nomination process is available on DEQ’s Citizen Monitoring website at http://www.DEQ.Virginia.gov/programs/water/waterqualityinformationtmdls/waterqualitymonitoring/citizenmonitoring/followupmonitoring.aspx. Contact Stuart Torbeck at (804) 698-4461 or Charles.Torbeck@DEQ.Virginia.gov, for more information.

[1] The 2013 Water Quality Monitoring Strategy is available on DEQ’s website at the following link:  http://www.DEQ.Virginia.gov/programs/water/waterqualityinformationtmdls/waterqualitymonitoring/deqswaterqualitymonitoringstrategy.aspx

[2] http://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewAction.cfm?actionid=3171