The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will release the Draft 2024 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment (Integrated Report) on April 22, 2024, for public comment.

The Integrated Report combines both the 305(b) Water Quality Assessment and the 303(d) Report on Impaired Waters. Both are required by the Federal Clean Water Act and the Virginia Water Quality Monitoring Information and Restoration Act. The report will be available for download on our website at: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/water-quality/assessments/integrated-report throughout the public comment period, which will end May 22, 2024.

A public webinar summarizing the Integrated Report is scheduled for May 2, 2024, at 1pm.  The public is invited to submit questions pertaining to the report during this event. All submitted questions will be addressed in a comment response document that will be subsequently posted on the DEQ webpage.  Registration information for the webinar can be found at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4622324231096970840.

As required by EPA’s 2022-2032 Vision for Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Program, the 2024 Integrated Report also includes an update to the 303(d) Program Prioritization Framework, which describes long-term planning priorities for water quality restoration. Sections 6.1 and 6.2 outline DEQ’s priorities and approach to the 303(d) Program. Section 6.1 and Appendix 8 includes a listing of impaired waters prioritized for Total Maximum Daily Load or Advance Restoration Plan development through 2026.

Written comments on the Draft Integrated Report can be sent to: Sandra Mueller, DEQ Water Monitoring and Assessment Program, at P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, Virginia 23218, or via e-mail deqecology@deq.virginia.gov. Please include your name, (US mail) address, telephone number, and e-mail address.