DEQ News Vol. 5, No. 9

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality sent this bulletin at 11/02/2026 01:21 PM EST

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DEQ NEWS

Nov. 2, 2026

Vol. 5, No. 9

In This Edition

Comment on Changes to Enforcement Manual
Changes to Stormwater Fee Collection Procedures
Renewable Energy Regulatory Revisions
Apply for 2027 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards
Refreshed Storymap Shows Brownfields Success
DEQ Email Size Limit Reduced Starting Nov. 30
Drought: Western Virginia Improves; Southeast Worsens
Permit Review System is Adding Construction Stormwater
Technology Updates: DEQAct Preview and Taxpayer Identification Numbers

Comment on Changes to Enforcement Manual

DEQ's draft revisions of Chapter 4 of the DEQ Enforcement Manual is available for public comment until Nov. 9.

This chapter addresses how DEQ staff calculate appropriate civil charges and penalties.

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Changes to Stormwater Fee Collection Procedures

mobile phone showing online stormwater handbook

New amendments to Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management took effect on Oct. 22 to improve fee collection procedures, clarify regulatory requirements, and provide greater consistency with the fees for permits and certificates.

Learn More

Renewable Energy Regulatory Revisions

The Renewable Energy Permit by Rule program completed three regulatory revisions to address change in state law which expands small renewable energy projects to include dedicated interconnection facilities.

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Apply for 2027 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards

Has your facility been working to reduce its environmental footprint? Do you have an outstanding sustainability initiative or an innovative strategy that’s making a real difference for the environment?

If so, consider applying for the 2027 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards.

Applications are open until Dec. 8.

Learn More

Refreshed Storymap Shows Brownfields Success

DEQ’s Brownfield Success Story Storymap has been updated to showcase standout revitalization projects across the Commonwealth.

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DEQ Email Size Limit Reduced Starting Nov. 30

digital file folders between two fingers

The Virginia Information Technologies Agency is implementing a statewide change on Nov. 30 that will reduce the maximum email size from 60 MB to 20 MB for all state agencies.

DEQ is deploying a new solution that will allow the public to send large files to DEQ.

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Drought: Western Virginia Improves; Southeast Worsens

Due to variable rainfall across Virginia, DEQ and the Drought Monitoring Task Force have recommended drought advisory an escalation in southeast Virginia and de-escalations in western parts of the state.

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Permit Review System is Adding Construction Stormwater

DEQ’s Permit Review System will include Construction Stormwater starting in mid-November.

Using PRS is free to applicants now through December.

Learn More

Technology Updates: DEQAct Preview and Taxpayer Identification Numbers

On Dec. 1, DEQ will begin a partial launch of the new DEQAct system for external customers. Join us for a DEQAct webinar on Nov. 19.

Starting in mid-November, DEQ will begin to use Taxpayer Identification Numbers to streamline customer information management.

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Public Participation Opportunities

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 (NOIRA)- Virginia Water Protection Permit Program Regulation (9VAC25-210)- Surface Water Withdrawal Permitting Exclusion for Existing Withdrawals - Amendments to Address Grandfathered Withdrawals (NOIRA also covers related chapters- Water Withdrawal Reporting (9VAC25-200), Surface Water Management Area Regulation (9VAC25-220), and Local and Regional Water Supply Planning(9VAC25-780)) - submit comments by Nov. 18
Proposed amendments to Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) General Permit Regulation for Vehicle Wash Facilities and Laundry Facilities (9VAC25-194) - Amend and Reissue the Existing General Permit Regulation - submit comments by Jan. 4, 2027.

Employment Opportunities

Are you committed to protecting human health and the environment?
Apply for a job at DEQ. Current openings include:

VPA Program Supervisor (Richmond, closes Nov. 2)
Enforcement Specialist (Harrisonburg, closes Nov. 2)
Director of Information Services (Richmond, closes Nov. 4)

See All Opportunities

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DEQ does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or handicap in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, the administration of its programs or activities. DEQ does not intimidate or retaliate against any individuals or groups because they have exercised their rights to participate in actions protected, or oppose actions prohibited, by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7 and related nondiscrimination statutes, or for the purpose of interfering with such rights. Sharon Baxter, Title VI Nondiscrimination Coordinator, is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning nondiscrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7 (Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance and Nondiscrimination in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency), including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended; and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a DEQ program or activity, you may contact the Title VI Nondiscrimination Coordinator or visit our DEQ Nondiscrimination page at deq.virginia.gov/nondiscrimination to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination. For more information and to request language access or disability access services, please contact the Title VI Nondiscrimination Coordinator. If you have any questions about this notice or any of DEQ’s nondiscrimination programs, policies, or procedures, you may contact the Title VI Nondiscrimination Coordinator: Sharon Baxter; Virginia Department of Environmental Quality; P.O. Box 1105; 1111 E. Main St., Suite 1400; Richmond, Va. 23219; (804) 698-4000 (phone); (800) 592-5482 (toll-free); TTY: dial 711; CivilRights@deq.virginia.gov. For more information, visit deq.virginia.gov/nondiscrimination.