On April 2, 2024, Governor Glen Youngkin signed HB1085/SB243 into law to address PFAS pollution in Virginia’s drinking water. This law directs DEQ to determine the source of PFAS in drinking water, to form a PFAS Expert Advisory Committee to aid in this effort, and to report annually to General Assembly of DEQ’s efforts. The PFAS source assessments are to be performed for any public drinking water system that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) notifies DEQ of exceedance of the EPA’s Maximum Contaminate Levels (MCLs). The source assessments are to be performed using existing data DEQ has for PFAS occurrence and data generated from two authorities added by the law, self-reporting PFAS manufacture or use, and monitoring of discharge. Self-reporting of PFAS manufacture or use can be asked of any facility the department determines to be a potential source of PFAS. Monitoring can be required for any facility that DEQ deems a potentially significant source of PFAS. More information about Source Assessments, the PFAS Expert Advisory Committee, and General Assembly Reports are available in the following drop downs.

If you are required to self-report or monitor for PFAS, an FAQ is available to answer common questions.

Source Assessments

As of July 2025, VDH has notified DEQ of 59 drinking water systems with exceedances of the PFAS MCLs. Notifications to potential sources of PFAS to monitor and or self-report were sent on November 25 and 26 for the 28 systems DEQ received notification of MCL exceedances prior to September 1, 2024. The September 1 cutoff date was dictated by an enactment clause of the legislation.

Going forward additional systems needing source assessments will be characterized in the annual Prioritization Plan, which is required by the statute. Additional notifications to potential sources will be made as systems needing a source assessment are identified.   

PFAS Expert Advisory Committee

The PFAS Expert Advisory Committee was formed by the legislation to assist DEQ and VDH in identifying:

  • PFAS sources through PFAS assessments and associated monitoring and reporting,
  • public and private lab testing capacity issues, and
  • options for reducing PFAS in source waters causing exceedances of PFAS MCLs.

Members of the Committee are appointed by DEQ’s director and are to include:

  • representatives of public drinking water and wastewater system owners,
  • representatives of public health organizations,
  • potential PFAS source categories,
  • conservation organizations with expertise in water treatment, water science, or PFAS chemistry,
  • other experts as determined by the Department.

The Committee meets at a minimum twice a year. Members of the public are welcome to observe the meeting and speak during the public comment period. Information about the meetings is posted to Virginia Townhall as meetings are scheduled. To receive alerts about the meetings, agenda, and minutes of the PFAS Expert Advisory Committee sign up on Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and set your preferences on "Notification Preferences" tab on the landing page.

Materials distributed to members of the committee, meeting agendas, and minutes of past meetings are available on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall.

General Assembly Report

Every October, a report on DEQ’s activities related to PFAS assessments, including the self-reporting process, discharge monitoring, and activities of the Committee is sent to the Governor and General Assembly. Access the Committee's 2024 report here.