DEQ's Water Quality Monitoring Strategy

DEQ's Millennium 2000 Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) Strategy was first produced in draft form, formally presented, and submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and to DEQ’s Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) for review in December of 1999. DEQ subsequently delivered another formal presentation and submitted the Strategy document to an additional, independent Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) for review in 2001. Final comments and a general approval from the SAC were received in late 2002. During the intervening period, from 2000 through 2003, DEQ updated its strategy to incorporate a number of suggestions provided by the reviewing bodies and the public and to include the implementation of numerous new elements described in the original document. In addition, a number of previously existing programs were adapted to changing needs. The original strategy document was consequently updated and revised for final, formal approval by the agency and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

DEQ released a revised Water Quality Monitoring Strategy draft for EPA and public comment on August 9, 2004. In November of 2004 the revised Water Quality Monitoring Strategy was accepted by the USEPA.

DEQ’s 2007 Water Quality Monitoring Strategy

As  a result of the Agency’s continual planning process and consequent evolutionary changes in the Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Program, periodic updates and revisions of the WQM Strategy are a necessity. The 2004 edition of the WQM Strategy was reviewed and updated in 2006. Copies of the final draft of the 2006 revision were distributed to DEQ Management and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for review and comments in early February 2007. A copy of that draft revision was also posted on these web pages for review and comments by the general public from February 14 through March 15, 2007.

The final revised 2007 edition of DEQ’s Water Quality Monitoring Strategy has been accepted and is now available and may be downloaded in the form of a 57.5 MB zip file by clicking HERE.

NOTE: If you are using a Zip program like WinZip to open this file, use the command to "Extract" all files so that imbedded links are maintained.  If using Windows XP or more recent versions, the links are automatically maintained.

Questions and/or comments regarding the 2007 or the previous (2004) edition of the Water Quality Monitoring Strategy should be directed to :

Donald H. Smith, Ph.D.

DEQ Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Program
via e-mail to dhsmith@deq.virginia.gov
via US mail to P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, Virginia 23218

The  final edition of the 2007 Water Quality Monitoring Strategy is now available here for downloading as well as on CD-ROM. Please click HERE and provide your name and address if you would like a CD copy to be mailed to you.