On July 15, Governor Spanberger called for increased commonsense water conservation as the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force recommended considering a Drought Emergency declaration for the Roanoke Drought Evaluation region.
Did you know that food waste makes up approximately 25% of the space in Virginia’s landfills? DEQ is partnering with The Ohio State University to better understand the best food waste reduction strategies. Take thisshort survey about food in your home to contribute to the research.
On July 17, Virginia experienced its smokiest day in decades due to particulate pollution from Canadian wildfires. DEQ's meteorologists and air quality scientists monitor air quality, issue daily air quality forecasts, as well as health alerts, to keep Virginians safe.
Join DEQ for a Town Hall on July 29 at the DEQ Tidewater Office in Virginia Beach to discuss an updating the Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance. The meeting will also be livestreamed.
Aug. 1 will mark one month of Virginia’s Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) ban and we are celebrating advocates and early adopters that brought the movement to fruition.
DEQ will accept applications for the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund starting on Aug. 3. All local governments in Virginia are eligible to apply for these funds to reduce stormwater pollution.
On July 1, AlexRenew — Alexandria Virginia’s wastewater treatment authority — celebrated activation of the RiverRenew project, the largest infrastructure project in Alexandria’s history.
DEQ and the State Corporation Commission (SCC) are clarifying their respective roles as they relate to interconnection facilities and substations on small renewable energy projects. This renewed clarity will create more efficiency for permittees.
Visit the DEQ website for comment opportunities on pending enforcement orders and permit actions. The following regulatory actions are available for public comment:
Notice of Intended Regulatory Action- Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) General Permit for Concrete Products Facilities (9VAC25-193) -CH 193 – Amend and Reissue the Existing General Permit Regulation- submit comments by 7/29/2026
Notice of Intended Regulatory Action- Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) General Permit for Discharges of Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) (formerly Part XV, 4VAC50-60) (9VAC25-890)- submit comments by 8/12/2026
Notice of Intended Regulatory Action- Financial Assurance Regulations for Solid Waste Disposal, Transfer and Treatment Facilities (9VAC20-70)- Amend Regulations to Ensure Financial Assurance is Sufficient for Proper Closure, Post-Closure Care, or Corrective Action at Solid Waste Management Facilities-submit comments by 8/12/2026
Proposed amendments to Water Quality Standards (9VAC25-260) - Triennial Review 2024 Rulemaking to adopt new, update, or cancel existing water quality standards as required by § 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia and the Federal Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251-submit comments by 9/11/2026
Employment Opportunities
Are you committed to protecting human health and the environment? Apply for a job at DEQ. Current openings include:
Air Inspector (Virginia Beach, closes Aug. 3)
Air Permit Writer (Virginia Beach, closes Aug. 7)
AFO Inspector (Harrisonburg, closes July 31)
Manager, Office of Stormwater Permitting and Compliance (Richmond, closes July 30)
Pollution Response Coordinator/Remediation Geologist (Harrisonburg, closes Aug. 5)
