2002 305(b) Water Quality Assessment Report

Approved by EPA on March 3, 2003

The 2002 305(b) Water Quality Assessment Report describes water quality conditions in the Commonwealth of Virginia between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2000. The primary purpose of this report is to satisfy the water quality reporting requirements of the Commonwealth of Virginia under Sections 305(b), 106, 314 and 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act and the Virginia Water Quality Monitoring, Information and Restoration Act.

Virginia has nine major river basins with an estimated 50,415 milesof perennial rivers and streams and approximately 2,500 square miles of estuaries. The overall water quality for Virginia is assessed based on the ability of citizens to safely enjoy the designated uses of the waters as described in the Virginia water quality standards. These uses are aquatic life, fish consumption, shellfish consumption, swimming, and public water supply.

Of more than 9,800 miles of rivers and streams studied, about 56 percent have high water quality that meets designated uses. Approximately 44 percent of the rivers and streams studied do not fully support designated uses.

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Download a zip file containing the entire 2002 305(b) Water Quality Assessment Report (2.0 MB), or scroll down to view and download the individual components.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

List of Figures

List of Tables

Introduction

PART I: Executive Summary

PART II: State Background Information and Program Descriptions

• Chapter 2.1 General Background Summary Information
• Chapter 2.2 Water Pollution Control Programs
• Chapter 2.3 Cost/Benefit Analysis
• Chapter 2.4 Pollution Prevention
• Chapter 2.5 Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns
• Chapter 2.6 Virginia Coastal Resources Management Program Initiatives
• Chapter 2.7 Wetlands Program Initiatives
• Chapter 2.8 Regional Water Quality Initiatives

PART III Surface Water Assessment

• Chapter 3.1 Surface Water Monitoring Program
• Chapter 3.2 Assessment Methodology
• Chapter 3.3 Water Quality Assessment Summary
• Chapter 3.4 Individual River Basin Assessment Summary
• Chapter 3.5 Chesapeake Bay Program Assessment and Initiatives
• Chapter 3.6 Biennial Non Point Source Pollution Water Quality Assessment Report

Links to figures and maps are now available in the text of Chapter 3.6. You can also view the chapter, including the links to figures and maps, directly from the Department of Conservation and Recreation's website here.

PART IV Ground Water Assessment

• Chapter 4.1 Groundwater Protection Programs

PART V Appendices

• Appendix A: Clean Water Act References
• Appendix B:
  • Water Quality Monitoring Station Data and Appendix B Key
  • Potomac-Shenandoah River Basin
  • James River Basin
  • Rappahannock Basin
  • Roanoke River Basin
  • Chowan River Basin
  • Tennessee - Big Sandy Basin
  • Chesapeake Bay and Small Coastal Basins
  • York River Basin
  • New River Basin
• Appendix C: List of Significant Public Lakes
• Appendix D: Datasets Considered for 2002 305b2002 Assessment

Additional Information

• 2002 Water Quality Assessment Public Comment Issues and Responses
• Water Quality Assessment Summary Presentation
• Link to the 2002 303(d) Report webpage
• Archived 305(b)Water Quality Assessment Reports