Members of the GWPSC
- Department of Environmental Quality (Chair of the GWPSC)
- Department of Health
- Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
- Department of Business Assistance
- Department of Conservation & Recreation
- Department of General Services (Consolidated Laboratory)
- Department of Housing & Community Development
- Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy
- U.S. Geologial Survey, Water Resources Division
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
DEQ is responsible for implementing a wide range of environmental plans, laws, and regulations pertaining to water quality, air quality, and solid waste.
Among other activities, the DEQ administers the state's Ground Water Management Act, promotes voluntary wellhead protection activities, and chairs the GWPSC. In addition, staff implements the state's program for solid-waste landfills and for hazardous and toxic substances.
Web Site
Ground Water Contact: Mary Ann Massie
804-698-4042
mamassie@deq.virginia.gov
Waste Permitting Contact: Erich Weissbart
804-698-4393
ejweissbart@deq.virginia.gov
VDH operates programs under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and several state statutes that regulate public water supplies, many of which use ground water. The program includes construction-standards, monitoring, and compliance components. VDH also operates regulatory programs governing homeowner and other individual wells and on-site waste water disposal (typically septic tanks), including the Source Water Assessment and Protection program.
Web Site
Contact: Chris Adkins
804-864-7495
chris.adkins@vdh.virginia.gov
Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE)
VCE helps people to shape their futures through research-based educational programs. One of the ways this has been addressed is county ground water testing in many locations around the state. VCE also administers the Farm*A*Syst program, which aids farmers in their ground water protection efforts.
Web Site
Contact: Brian Benham
540-231-5705
benham@vt.edu
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
VDACS promotes the economic growth and development of Virginia agriculture, provides consumer protection, and encourages environmental stewardship. Agriculture is a major user of ground water in Virginia. Agriculture can also affect ground water as a result of activities involving pesticides, fertilizers, animal wastes, and other materials.
Web Site
Contact: Roy Seward
804-786-3535
roy.seward@vdacs.virginia.gov
Rebecca Askew
804-786-7157
rebecca.askew@vdacs.virginia.gov
Department of Business Assistance (DBA)
The Department of Business Assistance strengthens the Commonwealth's economy by providing value-added services (such as workforce training, financing, and small business development) to Virginia businesses. Through an industry visitation program, it serves as state government's principal point of contact for communications with business and industry. DBA can address the groundwater needs of industry and explain the state's programs for conserving and protecting ground water.
Web Site
Contact: Jim McKean
804-371-8227
jim.mckean@dba.virginia.gov
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
Through land management planning, funding, education and regulation, DCR activity touches many Virginians. One of the important programs from a ground water perspective is the 319 grant program, which has supported a variety of research and implementation projects by state agencies, Planning District Commissions, and universities in Virginia.
Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance exists to protect the public interest in the Chesapeake Bay and other waters by reducing pollution impacts associated with the use and development of land. The Department works toward this goal in partnership with local governments, promoting sound land use planning in a manner that balances the objectives of improved water quality and economic development. The Local Assistance Manual published by CBLAD includes sections on ground water protection in recognition of the link between ground and surface waters.
Web Site
Contact: Rick Hill
804-786-7119
rick.hill@dcr.virginia.gov
Department of General Services, Div. of Consolidated Laboratory Svcs. (DCLS)
DCLS provides diversified laboratory services for a wide variety of state needs. Water quality testing for state programs is one important example.
Web Site
Contact: Jim Pearson
804-648-4480
jim.pearson@dgs.virginia.gov
Tom York
804-648-4480
tom.york@dgs.virginia.gov
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
DHCD provides technical and financial assistance and regulatory oversight for housing and community development. DHCD administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program that annually funds work such as improved water and waste-water capacity for needy communities. DHCD also provides liaison and technical assistance to planning departments and commissions.
Web Site
Contact: Wyatt Little
804-371-7010
wyatt.little@dhcd.virginia.gov
Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME)
DMME is focused on the geology of the state and the relationship between activities like coal mining and ground water. DMME is also a source for many different types of maps of geologic and hydrologic interest.
Web Site
Contact: Lynn D. Haynes
276-523-8179
lynn.haynes@dmme.virginia.gov
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Virginia Water Science Center
USGS is a federal agency under the Department of the Interior that provides maps, reports, and information. Familiar to many are their topographic "quad" maps. The USGS Virginia Water Science Center, provides hydrologic information and scientific understanding to support the utilization and management of water resources in the Commonwealth of Virginia. A number of studies of ground water in Virginia have been completed by USGS, including reports on the Eastern Shore, Tidewater, and the northern Shenandoah Valley.
Web Site
Contact: George Harlow
804-261-2631
geharlow@usgs.gov