WQA Guidance

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Virginia bases its water quality assessment on the ability to support designated uses, determined by numeric and/or narrative water quality standards. A description of these designated uses and their corresponding assessment indicators are listed in the below table.

DESIGNATED USE	USE DESCRIPTION/INDICATORS
Aquatic Life Use, Chesapeake Bay Specific Uses	Description: The propagation, growth, and protection of a balanced indigenous population of aquatic life that may be expected to inhabit a waterbody
Aquatic Life Use, Chesapeake Bay Specific Uses	Indicators: Dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, chlorophyll-a, nutrients, water column and sediment toxics, toxicity tests, bottom-dwelling macroinvertebrates, submerged aquatic vegetation
Fish Consumption Use	Description: Game and marketable fish species that are safe for human health
Fish Consumption Use	Indicators: VDH notices, fish tissue toxics, water column toxics
Shellfishing Use	Description: Marketable shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels) that are safe for human health
Shellfishing Use	Indicators: VDH notices
Recreation (Swimming) Use	Description: Swimming, boating, and other recreational activities
Recreation (Swimming) Use	Indicators: VDH notices, bacteria
Public Water Supply Use	Description: Drinking water safe for human health
Public Water Supply Use	Indicators: VDH notices, water column toxics
Wildlife Use	Description: The propagation, growth, and protection of associated wildlife
Wildlife Use	Indicators: Water column toxics

*Chlorophyll-a and nutrients (total phosphorus) are assessed only in the lakes listed in Section 187 of the WQS. Chlorophyll-a is also assessed in the tidal James River.

Draft 2026 Water Quality Assessment Guidance

Virginia’s draft 2026 Water Quality Assessment Guidance contains the assessment procedures and methods to be used for the development of Virginia’s Integrated Report. The guidance addresses all key elements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2006 Assessment Guidance and subsequent updates current to January 2025, in addition to the assessment methodology for Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Standards.

Updates have been made to the guidance document since 2024. A complete list of significant guidance modifications is described in Section 1.

DEQ develops and publishes the procedures used for defining and determining impaired waters and provides for public comment on the procedures. The public is invited to submit written comments until May 2, 2025. Comments should include the name, address, telephone number and, if applicable, the e-mail address of each person and/or organization submitting comments. Comments and related correspondence should be addressed to Amanda Shaver. Responses to comments received will be made collectively via a response document, which will be posted on the Water Quality Assessments page along with the guidance once finalized.

Historical Guidance

Virginia DEQ

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WQA Guidance