POLLUTION LOCATOR| Water | State Clean Water Act Status Report
Clean Water Act Status: VIRGINIA
 
 
  • Clean Water Act Comparative Ranking
    Cleanest/Best States National Average Dirtiest/Worst States
    0%         50%         100%

    Percentage of Surface Waters with Impaired or Threatened Uses (state + EPA data):
    Number of Impaired Waterbodies (as reported by the state):

    NOTE: Data limitations affect the accuracy of these rankings.

    Rank counties in VIRGINIA or in the U.S. by assessed use impairments.
    Rank watersheds in VIRGINIA by assessed use impairments
    Rank states by assessed use impairments, impairments due to specific causes, or impairments due to specific sources

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  • 1998 Clean Water Act Status
    VIRGINIA contains a portion of 48 watersheds.
    Percentage of Surface Waters with Reported Problems (state + EPA data): 13%
    Number of Waterbodies with Reported Problems (as reported by the state): 883
    Beneficial uses not reported for 100% of waterbodies.

    Priority for Regulation     Number of Waterbodies
    Targeted 0
    High 0
    Medium 0
    Low 0
    Not Assessed for TMDL Priority 0
    Not Reported to US EPA for TMDL Priority 883
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  • Leading Pollutants/Stressors of Surface Waters
    Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 803
    Percent of Rivers, Streams and Creeks in VIRGINIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 39%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Fish Consumption Advisory 30%
    Ammonia 23%
    Pathogens 21%
    Impaired Biological Community 14%
    Low Dissolved Oxygen/Organic Enrichment 7%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 8
    Percent of Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds in VIRGINIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 93%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Ammonia 50%
    Impaired Biological Community 25%
    Low Dissolved Oxygen/Organic Enrichment 12%
    Fish Consumption Advisory 12%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Estuaries, Bays, and Coasts
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 53
    Percent of Estuaries and Bays in VIRGINIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 99%
    Percent of Coastal Shorelines in VIRGINIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 0%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Fish Consumption Advisory 81%
    Nutrients 13%
    Low Dissolved Oxygen/Organic Enrichment 4%
    Impaired Biological Community 2%
    Pathogens 2%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Fresh Water Wetlands
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 12
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    pH 75%
    Low Dissolved Oxygen/Organic Enrichment 58%
    Ammonia 17%
    Nutrients 17%
    Pathogens 8%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.
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  • Leading Sources of Water Quality Problems
    Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 803 (cause not reported for 42%)
    Percent of Rivers, Streams and Creeks in VIRGINIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 39%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Impairment source not reported 42%
    Nonpoint Sources 28%
    Unknown Sources 13%
    Agriculture 8%
    Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers 7%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 8 (cause not reported for 62%)
    Percent of Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds in VIRGINIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 93%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Impairment source not reported 62%
    Agriculture 25%
    Nonpoint Sources 12%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Estuaries, Bays, and Coasts
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 53 (cause not reported for 20%)
    Percent of Estuaries and Bays in VIRGINIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 99%
    Percent of Coastal Shorelines in VIRGINIA assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 0%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Nonpoint Sources 64%
    Impairment source not reported 21%
    Unknown Sources 15%
    Municipal Point Sources 11%
    Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers 2%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Fresh Water Wetlands
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 12 (cause not reported for 91%)
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Impairment source not reported 92%
    Unknown Sources 8%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.
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