Virginia Pollution Abatement Permit Program

The treatment of sewage sludge, storage and land application of biosolids, industrial wastes (sludge and wastewater), municipal wastewater, and animal wastes (manure/litter from livestock and poultry) are regulated activities in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  A Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) permit may be issued by DEQ whenever an owner handles waste and wastewater in a manner that does not involve discharging to a sewage treatment work, or to state waters pursuant to a valid Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit.  In general, land application of biosolids, industrial sludge or spray irrigation of industrial and municipal wastewater is covered by a VPA individual permit.

Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) are covered by a VPA individual or general permit.  A separate VPA general permit covers confined poultry feeding operations for poultry waste management. VPDES permits may be required for some Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

Welcome to the Virginia Pollution Abatement Permit Program

Featured Topics

4/4/2013 Biosolids New Land Applicator Course and Exam - Please register for the April 22 - 23 class and exam by April 15.

3/18/2013 Biosolids Land Applicator Course and Exam Schedule - Spring 2013:  Classes for continuing education credits and new land appliers will be held in Roanoke on April 22 and 23, 2013, and in Glen Allen on May 15 and 16, 2013.  Please see the Biosolids Land Appliers and Local Monitors webpage for full details.

9/20/12 New Landowner Agreement Form: A new landowner agreement form has been added to the VPA permit application form.  Part D-VI Land Application Agreement (Rev 9/14/2012) replaces the previous form included with the permit application.  The form takes effect immediately.  Any landowner agreement submitted to DEQ that is signed after 10/19/2012 must be on the Rev 9/14/2012 Land Application Agreement form.

8/13/12 - Public Comment on Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA): The agency is seeking comments on the regulatory action to amend the Virginia Pollution Abatement Regulation related to Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs).  Anyone wishing to submit written comments may do so by mail, email or fax to Betsy Bowles, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, Virginia 23218, phone 804-698-4059, fax 804-698-4032 and betsy.bowles@deq.virginia.gov. Comments may also be submitted through the Public Forum feature of the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall web site. Written comments must include the name and address of the commenter. In order to be considered, comments must be received by 11:59 pm on the last day of the public comment period. The public comment period is  August 13 - September 12, 2012.

12/7/2011 - Regulatory Update: The final amendments governing biosolids is under Executive Review.  Check the Virginia Town Hall for updates related to this regulatory action.

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Virginia Department of
Environmental Quality
629 East Main Street
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218
(804)698-4000

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