Virginia Non-Agency Monitoring Program Overview of How VADEQ Incorporates Submitted Data.

Virginia Non-Agency Monitoring Program

Overview of How VADEQ Incorporates Submitted Data

Some Facts To Know

Virginia has over 51,000 miles of rivers and streams For 2008, VADEQ assessed 15,951 miles (31%)

Non-agency Data

Citizen Volunteer Groups

Federal, non-DEQ State, and Local Agencies

Academia Private Industry

Volunteer stream walk

Since 1998 VADEQ began to actively seek citizen volunteer data

In 2002, the Virginia General Assembly codified the Virginia Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Program (§62.1-44.19:11)

In 2004, VADEQ expanded this effort by requesting data from other ‘non-agency’ sources

Non-agency monitoring significantly increases the reach of the VADEQ water quality monitoring program

How VADEQ Reviews Non-agency Data

Data submitters must use approved protocols and file a QAPP

Laboratories must pass QA/QC inspection

Data undergoes QA review to ensure data quality meets VADEQ requirements

Categories Of Non-agency Data

Level III - approved by DEQ- (Approved QAPP, and use VADEQ approved methodologies) Data used in both 305 (b) assessment and 303(d) list

Level II- partially approved-(Approved QAPP, use similar but not VADEQ or EPA approved methodologies) Could be used for 305(b) prioritization (Category 3C/3D

for insufficient data for assessment) Not used for 303(d) listing/delisting as alternative

methodologies may not be as accurate Level I- not approved- (no VADEQ approved QAPP or

methodologies or parameters do not have a WQS) Data may be used by VADEQ to identify sites that need

follow-up monitoring

Other Uses of Non-agency Data

Stream Assessment

Force Multiplier

Tracking

Rapid Response

Outreach

Education

- 305(b) assessment of stream health and 303(d) listing

- Help expand water quality monitoring coverage in the state

- Track water quality improvement during TMDL implementation

- Early detection of pollution events to help alert DEQ

- Work with local communities in a positive way

- Show the importance of water quality to the public

Ways VADEQ Does Not Use Non-Agency Data

Not used in enforcement actions Not used solely to develop TMDL

Implementation Plans Data is not assessed if it was collected in

permitted mixing zones or at permitted outfalls

Virginia vs. Other States

In 2006, VADEQ asked other states about how they use non-agency data

17 states replied

12 Have a QA/QC program similar to Virginia

1 Uses data for assessment not 303(d) listing/delisting

3 Use citizen data for screening only (similar to VADEQ Level II)

2010 305(b)/303(d) 2010 305(b)/303(d) Projections*Projections*

DEQ estimates 4,800 stream miles DEQ estimates 4,800 stream miles were monitored using non-agency were monitored using non-agency data (Level II and III)data (Level II and III) ~3,600 miles from citizen data~3,600 miles from citizen data ~1,200 miles from non-citizen data~1,200 miles from non-citizen data

In comparison, for 2008 305(b)/303(d) In comparison, for 2008 305(b)/303(d) DEQ monitored 11,800+ milesDEQ monitored 11,800+ miles

* Estimated totals, final tally ready by final 2010 IR in late 2010

Current Level II And III Monitoring*

* Map of citizen and other non-agency locations for the 2010 305/303 Report

CMON Benthic

CMON Ambient

CMON Ambient/Benthic

NONA Ambient

NONA Benthic

Other Ways DEQ Work With Non-agency Groups

Letter of Agreement between VADEQ and several citizen and non-agency groups

Citizen Nominations

Every year, DEQ solicits nominations from the public for waterbodies to receive agency monitoring

Requests are reviewed by DEQ If accepted, DEQ will monitor the following year On average, DEQ receives 10+ nominations and is

able to follow up on 70% of requests

Technical Support

Assist with training of volunteer groups

Technical review of methods and QA/QC procedures

2007 Citizen Monitoring Methods Manual

Online resources relating to water quality DEQ staff training volunteers

Coliscan TMDL Study

Since 2005, DEQ has trained and equipped over 40 volunteer groups

Groups agree to monitor in bacteria impaired TMDL watersheds

Program has been helpful in engaging communities

Data helps DEQ find E. coli ‘hot spots’ (Level II)

Citizen Monitoring Grant Program

Since 1998, DEQ has provided grant money to groups to cover monitoring and training needs

When available, most grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 per group

Some regional or statewide groups receive additional funding

Data is submitted to DEQ and must met QA requirements

Voluntary VPDES Monitoring

Voluntary monitoring by wastewater and industrial permitees

Monitor upstream of their facilities using their own equipment and staff

Opportunity for partnerships between facilities and citizen volunteers

Facility data will contribute to VADEQ monitoring network

Non-agency Database

Online database to store and display non-agency data

Anyone can register, upload, view, or query water quality data

Based on the EASI database used in PA

DEQ Citizen Monitoring website and database portal- www.deq.virginia.gov/cmonitor

DEQ Water Quality Monitoring Program- www.deq.virginia.gov/water

Impaired Waters GIS Application- http://gisweb.deq.virginia.gov

Helpful DEQ Links

For More Information

Water Quality Data

James Beckley

Quality Assurance Coordinator

(804) 698-4025

[email protected]

Non-Agency Monitoring

Stuart Torbeck

Water Quality Data Liaison

(804)698-4461

[email protected]

Contact: