Projects proposing a groundwater withdrawal greater than 300,000 gallons per month in a GWMA for any beneficial use other than those excluded under 9VAC25-610-50.

Certain groundwater withdrawal activities are excluded from the requirements for a GWW permit (9VAC25-610-50). These exclusions are listed below:

• Withdrawals due to temporary construction dewatering that does not exceed 24 months in duration
• Withdrawals from state-approved groundwater remediation projects that do not exceed 60 months in duration
• Withdrawals for a groundwater source heat pump where the discharge is reinjected into the same aquifer
• Withdrawals from ponds recharged by groundwater without mechanical assistance
• Withdrawals used for geophysical investigations (pump tests)
• Withdrawals coincident with exploration for and extraction of coal or activities associated with coal mining regulated by the Department of Energy
• Withdrawals in any area not declared to be a GWMA
• Withdrawals authorized due to a special exception issued by DEQ
• Withdrawals of groundwater discharged from a free-flowing spring where the natural flow has not been increased by any method

GWW Permits can be authorized up to 15 years. In order to continue permitted withdrawal activities or complete any permit requirement that has not been completed, including compensation provisions, a new permit will be required. In accordance with 9VAC25-610-96, a new and complete permit application must be submitted at least 270 calendar days prior to the expiration of the current permit.

GWW Permit Application Process

All applications to withdraw groundwater within a groundwater management area must meet the requirements provided by 9VAC25-610. Individual groundwater withdrawal applications should be submitted as early as possible in the development of a project. Applications shall be submitted to the Groundwater Withdrawal Permitting Program at:

Office of Water Withdrawal Permitting
Attn: Caitlin Kelly and/or Eric Seavey

Mailing:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Attn: Office of Water Withdrawal Permitting
P.O. Box 1105
Richmond, VA 23218

Note: A pre-application meeting is required before submittal of a permit application.  The pre-application meeting will include a discussion of the permitting process, requested withdrawal amount, withdrawal location including what aquifer will be used, and the type of permitted use. To schedule a pre-application meeting please contact Caitlin Kelly at caitlin.kelly@deq.virginia.gov or (804) 774-0828 or Eric Seavey at eric.seavey@deq.virginia.gov or (804) 754-6250.

The target schedule for a GWW Permit is 255 days. It is important to note that these targets are based on a typical process and rely on all parties in the application review process providing complete and timely information.  Pending and recently completed permit actions for groundwater withdrawals in the Permitting Enhancement and Evaluation Platform will become available soon. 

Virginia Department of Health

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH)’s Office of Drinking Water ensures that all people in Virginia have access to an adequate supply of affordable, safe, drinking water that meets federal and state drinking water standards. VDH enforces drinking water regulations and standards of the Virginia Public Water Supply Law and the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. VDH also issues waterworks permits, monitors drinking water quality, supports voluntary source water protection efforts, provides technical assistance and training with respect to all drinking water issues, and provides financial assistance to improve drinking water systems.