Virginians enjoy more than 100,000 miles of streams and rivers, 248 publicly owned lakes, over a million acres of freshwater and coastal wetlands, and over 120 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline. Despite this bounty, the use of Virginia’s water resources must be actively managed to meet all the demands of a diverse, growing and dynamic state.  

DEQ is responsible for the equitable and sustainable management of surface water and groundwater resources. The agency also protects the many beneficial uses of these resources, including water supply to aquatic life and recreation. DEQ collects and analyzes data about water usage and the available volumes of surface and groundwater.

DEQ’s Office of Water Supply manages water resources through several integrated programs: Water supply planning and analysis, groundwater characterization, groundwater monitoring, and surface water investigations. 

You can: 

• Learn about water supply planning and read the State Water Resources Plan.
• Learn about resources for water supply plan development following amendments to the water supply planning regulation (9VAC25-780).
• Learn about annual water withdrawal reporting requirements.
• Learn about groundwater characterization and groundwater monitoring.
• Learn about the Surface Water Investigations Program and streamflow monitoring.
• Find current drought conditions in Virginia and learn how DEQ monitors for and coordinates responses to drought.