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New: Regional water planning areas

Map of regional water planning areas with the Northern Neck circled.

According to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ),

As a result of recent amendments to the Local and Regional Water Supply Planning Regulation (9VAC25-780), 26 regional planning areas [PDF] have been established throughout Virginia. Localities within those regional planning areas are required to submit a single jointly-developed regional water supply plan by Oct. 9, 2029. The amendments further specify that the new regional water supply plans identify water supply risks and propose regional strategies to address those risks. (Source: DEQ News Vol. 3 No. 10)

The four counties of the Norther Neck―Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland―make up “Northern Coastal Plain 1” for the purposes of the new Local and Regional Water Supply Planning Regulation (9VAC25-780). Northern Neck Planning District Commission will continue to manage the water supply planning for the region.

To remain up-to-date on the status of the new regs, bookmark Water Supply Plan Development.

Wait. Why does this matter? DEQ explains:

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, and groundwater monitoring.




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