RICHMOND, Va. – At its regular meeting held in Richmond today, the State Water Control Board approved amendments and reissuance of multiple general permits to manage certain water discharges through the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) program, and initiated public participation for the reissuance of additional VPDES general permits and water withdrawal regulations. The board received updates from DEQ staff and also approved the issuance of more than $307 million in low-interest loan agreements for localities and public service authorities (listed below) to improve wastewater infrastructure.

The board approved final regulations for the reissuance of the VPDES general permits for Non-Contact Cooling Water Discharges of 50,000 Gallons Per Day or Less (9VAC25-196) and for Potable Water Treatment Plants (9VAC25-860). The VPDES program issues permits for point source discharges into surface waters, municipal storm sewer systems, and stormwater from industrial activities to limit the degradation of surface waters. General Permits are written for a class of dischargers that generate similar effluent characteristics and are adopted as regulations and amended at least every five years. The board also approved the initiation of public comment periods to assist in the reissuance of VPDES general permits for Concrete Products Facilities (9VAC25-193) and for Discharges of Stormwater for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (9VAC25-890), both of which will expire in 2023.

As required by Senate Bill 1291 passed by the General Assembly in 2021, the board approved the initiation of a public comment period regarding amendments that would establish requirements for water auditing and leak detection and repair plans for surface water withdrawal permits (9VAC25-210) and groundwater withdrawal permits (9VAC25-610). Localities are required to report water loss statistics to DEQ and have reported losses of as much as 25%, which raises concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of public water use.

Finally, the board received updates on pending matters, including the Solar Project Siting Study (required by HB206), for which a final report will be issued on Dec. 1, pending stormwater guidance, which will become effective on Jan. 19, 2023, and DEQ’s ongoing investigation and response to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a “forever chemical,” that has been identified in waters throughout the country.

The board anticipates meeting again in March 2023.

Low-interest loan agreements approved through the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund are as follows:

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