Local Water Quality

Aerial Photo of small areas of land surrounded by tree-branch like waterways Hampton Roads Planning District is committed to providing localities with the best resources, information, and technical assistance related to local water quality. Reducing pollution in the form of high levels of nutrients, bacteria, sediment, and chemicals is critical to the health of our local waterways. A waterway in Virginia becomes impaired when monitoring results indicate failure to meet state water quality standards. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) then facilitates the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for various pollutants. HRPDC’s Water Resources Department coordinates with DEQ, Hampton Roads localities, and stakeholders to develop TMDL Implementation Plans and to conduct TMDL outreach activities. For more information on how to keep our waterways clean, check out askHRgreen.org’s knowledge center.

Map Image of 2022 Impaired Rivers and Estuaries in Hampton Roads

Many TMDLs, TMDL Implementation Plans, and TMDL Action Plans have been completed for waters located within or partially within the Hampton Roads region; others are under development. DEQ provides an interactive mapping application to view the water quality status of estuaries, reservoirs, and rivers based on their intended use. The 2022 Integrated Report is available, assessing all water bodies for impairments in the Commonwealth every 2 years.

Current Events and Information

DEQ is continuing to develop a TMDL for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the lower James and Elizabeth River watersheds. HRPDC staff are members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). All information related to this TMDL can be found on DEQ’s PCB TMDL page.