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Frequently Asked Questions

Question What is the effective date of the Local and Regional Water Supply Planning Regulation?

November 2, 2005.

Question When are Local Water Supply Plans Due?

 

The regulation establishes a schedule for submittal of those plans based on a locality's latest population figures from the most recent U.S. Census.

  • November 2008 for Local Governments with Populations in Excess of 35,000
  • November 2009 for Local Governments with Populations in Excess of 15,000 but No More Than 35,000
  • November 2010 for Local Governments with Populations Less Than or Equal to 15,000
  • November 2011 for Regional Water Supply Plans

Local Governments electing to participate in the submittal of Regional Water Supply Plans must notify DEQ of the intent to participate in a Regional Plan by November 2008.

Question Who do I contact for assistance with the development of my local or regional water supply plan?

Current contacts for the Office of Water Supply Planning include:

  • Scott W. Kudlas, Manager of the Office of Water Supply Planning, 804.698.4456, scott.kudlas@deq.virginia.gov
  • Joseph P. Hassell, Environmental Program Manager, 804.698.4072, joseph.hassell@deq.virginia.gov (Will Assist Piedmont Region Localities)
  • Edward W. Morrow, Water Supply Specialist, 804.698.4487, edward.morrow@deq.virginia.gov
  • William K. Norris, Senior Water Supply Planner, 804.698.4022, william.norris@deq.virginia.gov (Will Assist Piedmont Region Localities)

In addition there will be 4 Environmental Program Analysts working in the DEQ Regional Offices to provide technical support to localities.  These positions will be in the Northern Regional Office in Woodbridge (Will Assist Northern Region Localities), the South Central Regional Office in Lynchburg (Will Assist South Central and Valley Region Localities), the West Central Regional Office in Roanoke (Will Assist West Central and South West Region Localities), and the Tidewater Regional Office in Virginia Beach (Will Assist Tidewater Region and Eastern Shore Localities). Contact information will be provided once these positions are filled.

Question Will there be funding available to support localities in the development of their water supply plans?

To help cover the cost of implementing this new regulation, DEQ has allocated $300,000 for awarding between seven and seventeen grants associated with water supply planning for FY 2006 to those localities that create the most cost-effective, feasible alternatives to meeting the requirements of the regulation.  DEQ will provide a maximum grant award of $50,000 toward eligible proposal costs.

Question Will funding be available for multiple year projects, such as Regional Plans?

Multiple year funding is possible.  The competitiveness of an individual grant proposal will depend on the nature of the request and the need for the funds.

Question What is the prospect for additional funding?

For Fiscal Year 2006, DEQ has been appropriated $300,000.  We don't know what future levels of funding will be.  We do know that we intend to seek additional funding and we anticipate that the General Assembly will provide adequate funds for implementation of this regulation.

Question Will preference be given to Regional Plans versus Local Plans in the distribution of funding?

Virginia localities may apply for a grant on an individual basis; however, regional planning of more than one political entity will receive priority for funding.

Question How will funding be made available for FY 2006?

A competitive process for Local and Regional Water Supply Planning Grants has been developed.  A Request for Proposals has been developed which establishes the FY 2006 funding priorities and ceiling guidelines as well as the evaluation criteria.  The deadline for proposals is January 6, 2006 with the announcement of awards anticipated by January 13, 2006.

Question Are there any "matching funds" requirements for these grants?

The individual locality or regional group must demonstrate commitment to the project.  Matching funds are one measure of commitment to the proposal on the part of the applicant.  Each proposal must contain a matching component but no match threshold is stipulated for this year.  Localities may use any funds from federal government sources specifically expended in support of this project as in-kind match for this grant.

Question What kind of documentation is needed to demonstrate local commitment to the project?

The applicant must provide resolutions from the governing bodies of each locality included in the proposal, which:

  • States that the locality's representative is authorized to apply for a grant from the DEQ;
  • Gives authority to the locality to enter into a contract with the DEQ; and,
  • States the locality's intent to provide matching funds for the project.

 

Question Are resolutions from all localities included in the Local and Regional Water Supply Planning Area required at the time of Grant Proposal application?

The FY 2006 Request for Proposal Guidelines require that the applicant "provide a resolution from the governing body of each locality included in the proposal, which: 1) States that the locality's representative is authorized to apply for a grant from the DEQ; 2) Gives authority to the locality to enter into a contract with the DEQ; 3) States the locality's intent to provide matching funds (if any) for the project."  The inclusion of these resolutions is a part of the evaluation criteria and the resolutions are required to be consistent with the Proposal Preparation Guidelines.  If needed, the proposal may include a statement that resolutions from each of the participating localities have been requested, if they are not all available at the time of proposal submittal.  However, ALL resolutions have to be provided to DEQ, before a grant can be awarded and any grant funds can be provided.


Question

What role do local water suppliers play in the process?

DEQ is looking for projects that demonstrate that local water suppliers are willing to be involved and to participate in the project.  Written statements from the water suppliers should be included as part of the grant proposal packet.  Projects without commitments from local water suppliers will not receive high priority for funding.

Question How does this requirement apply to an individual locality that participates in a regional service authority?

Section 9 VAC 25-780-40 encourages counties, cities, and towns to develop regional programs, but there is no requirement for a regional service authority to be the lead  -- only that they be involved in the planning process.  However, the regulations would allow for an Authority to develop the plan and to have the localities involved submit the plan.  The requirement is for a locality or a group of localities to submit the plan.  Localities could pass a resolution approving the plan and approving the submittal of the plan on their behalf by the Regional Authority.

Question What is the role of the State in development of local and regional water supply plans?

To assist local governments in the development of local programs, the State will:

  • Provide technical and financial assistance;
  • Provide guidance on compliance options;
  • Facilitate acquisition of existing resource conditions information;
  • Facilitate acquisition of existing use information that has been reported to the Department;
  • Facilitate acquisition of water management information;
  • Identify acceptable methods for the projection of future water demands;
  • Provide any information regarding known conflicts relating to the development of alternatives;
  • At the request of the applicant, convene a technical evaluation committee meeting; and,
  • Provide notice of local public hearings on the local programs upon notification by the locality.

Question

What "existing resource condition" information will the Department provide on its web site?

The Department will provide links on its web site to readily available sources for information on:

  • State or federal listed threatened or endangered species or habitats of concern;
  • Anadromous, trout and other significant fisheries;
  • River segments that have recreational significance including state scenic river status;
  • Sites of historic or archaeological significance;
  • Unusual geologic formations or special soil types;
  • Wetlands;
  • Riparian buffers and conservation easements;
  • Land use and land coverage including items such as percentage of impervious cover within a watershed and areas where new development may impact water quality of the source;
  • The presence of impaired streams and the type of impairment;
  • The location of point source discharges; and,
  • Potential threats to the existing water quantity and quality, other than those listed above.

Question

What population figures should be used when developing projected water demand estimates?


Population in aggregate and disaggregate formulations should be estimated according to the most current information from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the Virginia Employment Commission or other accepted source of population information, including but not limited to, local or regional sources.  Demand projection methodologies should be consistent with those outlined in the American Water Works Association manuals.

Question What is the purpose of the Technical Evaluation Committee?

The Technical Evaluation Committee is a committee of state agencies, including but not limited to the Department of Health, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Marine Resources Commission, the Department of Historic Resources, and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, convened by the Department of Environmental Quality at the request of an applicant, to provide comments on the impacts to or conflicts among in-stream and off-stream uses resulting from proposed alternatives for meeting projected water demands.

 

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