As water demands change in the Commonwealth, the importance of proper water supply planning grows. The water supply planning process is a long-term collaborative effort involving a number of state and local stakeholders. Localities take the lead role in identifying the future water needs of their communities and DEQ provides technical analysis and oversight. To that end, DEQ recently completed kickoff water supply planning meetings with all Regional Planning Areas: communities within a defined geographical area of a watershed. To support the development of Regional Water Supply Plans, $231,000 in grant funds has been distributed among 22 Regional Planning Areas.

DEQ is now accepting applications for 2026 Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Grants. Applications must be submitted by Aug. 31. Awarded proposals are expected to perform project activities between January and December 2026. 

On July 1, the Chesapeake Bay Program released a draft revised version of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, a roadmap for a restored Chesapeake Bay watershed signed by the governors of the six watershed states, mayor of Washington, D.C., administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of the federal government and the chair of the tri-state legislative Chesapeake Bay Commission in 2014. From July 1 – Sept. 1, the public is invited to provide written feedback on the proposed revisions to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

DEQ is still developing a statewide Comprehensive Climate Action Plan and wants your input on potential ways to reduce climate pollution across the state. Find out what this means for you and your community, and share your thoughts through DEQ’s community survey before the survey closes at 5 p.m. on Aug. 8.

Feedback will help DEQ shape a plan that reflects the priorities of Virginia’s communities. For more information, please visit the CPRG webpage or email our team at CPRG@deq.virginia.gov.

DEQ recently completed the installation of three Climate Response Network wells in the City of Harrisonburg and in Giles and Shenandoah Counties. These new research stations are outfitted with real-time telemetry equipment that measures the hydrostatic pressure of the fractured-rock aquifer system to monitor and evaluate the relation between long-term climatic trends and groundwater levels. The long-term statistics generated by each research station are essential components for drought designations and groundwater resource evaluations throughout the state. 

Director Mike Rolband recently visited, and biked, the Upper Occoquan Service Authority (UOSA) wastewater treatment facility in Northern Virginia. This 54-million-gallon-per-day facility provides sanitary sewer service to a large portion of the surrounding cities and counties. The guided bike tour was led by UOSA’s Chief Executive Director, Brian Steglitz and joined by UOSA’s Chief Operating Officer, Douglas Hague and DEQ staff member Sarah Sivers. The group visited each component of the high-performance facility’s treatment processes, from the influent arriving via the sewage collection system, through aeration and to the treated final effluent which meets some of the most stringent discharge limits in the United States. This is necessary because UOSA discharges into Bull Run, a tributary to the Occoquan Reservoir which serves as a source of drinking water for a large part of Northern Virginia.

For the first time since 1987, a Virginian has been appointed to the executive board of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). Lou Ann Jessee-Wallace, Chair of the Virginia State Water Control Board, was appointed as treasurer of the ORSANCO executive board at its recent meeting. ORSANCO is an interstate commission representing eight states and the federal government, including Virginia. ORSANCO operates programs to improve water quality in the Ohio River and its tributaries, including: setting wastewater discharge standards; performing biological assessments; monitoring for the chemical and physical properties of the waterways; and conducting special surveys and studies. Congratulations to Lou Ann!