"Effective sediment control starts before runoff ever reaches a trap, basin, or perimeter BMP." says Luke Owen, founder of the NPDES Stormwater Training Institute. "Stormwater volume, velocity, and sediment load must be reduced at or near the point where rain hits disturbed soil. That means stabilizing soils early, breaking up flow paths, slowing runoff with surface roughening, rock filter dams, check dams, and diversion practices, and minimizing the amount of detached sediment..." Click 'Learn More' to read his full insights formed over 40 years of experience in our guest column.
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Southeastern Public Service Authority’s (SPSA) Alternative Waste Disposal project is designed to divert 50% of material collected for disposal from its landfill in Suffolk using AMP Robotics AI Sortation technology. This alternative waste disposal process will reduce the waste stream by 50% and extend the life of SPSA's regional landfill through the year 2095. |
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In December 2025, DEQ and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed the last of 20 new groundwater observation well installations across central and western Virginia. This effort doubled the groundwater monitoring network in Virginia’s fractured bedrock aquifers, greatly enhancing drought monitoring in the regions west of Interstate 95.
This success reflects years of planning, collaboration, and demanding field work by geologists from DEQ’s Groundwater Characterization and Monitoring Program.
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As one of DEQ’s newest offices, 2025 was the first full year of the Office of Permitting Assistance (OPA). Over the course of the year, OPA held over 250 project meetings to track the status of more than 100 high-priority economic development projects. OPA rigorously vets these projects to ensure companies and existing permits are in good standing. OPA also led the effort to develop procedures for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s expedited permitting program pursuant to legislation passed in 2024. 2026 is already slated to be a busy year for OPA with the late 2025 addition of the Mitigation and Nutrient Banking team. Need help with complex permits? Contact OPA here.
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Current Virginia Water Protection General Permits coverage will expire on Aug. 1, 2026. New GP regulations, approved by the State Water Control Board during their Nov. 18, 2025 meeting, will become effective on Aug. 2, 2026. For current projects that will not be completed by Aug. 1, 2026, permittees will need to apply for new coverage. For more information and important dates, check the 'Program News' section of DEQ's VWP webpage.
Register for the Feb. 10 webinar with experts from Virginia and Vermont on the economic impacts and differences in state programs addressing the development of Brownfield properties.
Brownfields are industrial or commercial sites that are more difficult to develop due to previous history of hazardous waste, contamination, or pollution.
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Check out DEQ’s just-launched dynamic user-friendly dashboard for the Annual Water Quality Monitoring Plan. This platform represents a significant advancement in how DEQ communicates and manages our monitoring efforts. This new tool allows users to explore monitoring data across the Commonwealth, with filtering options by program, region, river basin, and other parameters.
On June 18, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposed reissuing 56 existing nationwide permits (NWPs) and issuing one new NWP. The final 57 NWPs, the general conditions, and the associated definitions were published on Jan. 8, 2026, and will become effective March 15, 2026. The reissued NWPs will expire on March 15, 2031.
DEQ provided its final Section 401 Water Quality Certification decisions for the 2026 Nationwide Permits on Nov. 6, 2025, after having public noticed its tentative decisions for 30-days on the Virginia Town Hall and DEQ websites.
Many activities authorized under the final NWPs will not require action by DEQ’s Virginia Water Protection permit program. For more information, see “Related Permits” on DEQ's website.
Explore sustainable tourism practices, connect with industry leaders, and discover innovative approaches to eco-friendly travel throughout Virginia. The conference will be held March 19-20, 2026 at Massanutten Resort and Conference Center. This year the conference theme is Sustainability By Nature: Building a Resilient Tourism Economy.
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