The Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ) administers the City's air, water, and noise improvement programs, which help preserve and protect the environment and public health and welfare. More... 

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Upcoming Events

What's New

• Air Quality Action Days Program Starts May 1st
  On May 1, 2012, the City of Alexandria and other municipalities began their “Air Quality Action Days” program to increase awareness about the dangers of ground-level ozone, or smog and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).  Click here to learn more about the program.
• Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop
  Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m. to Noon
  Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center
  1108 Jeffereson St, Alexandria, VA 22314
  
  Interested in saving the environment, living “green,” and protecting the Chesapeake Bay? The City of Alexandria, in partnership with other regional governments and organizations working as the Northern Virgina Rain Barrel Program partners, invites residents to learn about water quality issues and build a rain barrel to take home after the workshop. Registration is required and is easy through the website.
• Alexandria's Top 10 Environmental Accomplishments of 2011
  Get information about the City's top environmental achievements throughout the past year. 
  These include several of the following:

• GenOn PRGS Closure
• Increased City-wide Recycling Rate
• New Hybrid Dash Buses & King Street Trolleys
• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Programs
• Green Buildings & Construction

View the following link for a detailed list of Alexandria's Top Environmental Accomplishments of 2011

• Visit the Virtual Green Building Resource Center                                                                                                         
  The Green Building Resource Center (GBRC) is one of the City's latest Eco-City Alexandria initiatives, offering citizens and business owners information on how to reduce energy and water consumption and operating costs by offering practical solutions to design, build and maintain their spaces in an eco-friendly manner. We welcome all citizens to visit the site periodically for new technical articles, event updates, and local case studies at http://www.alexandriava.gov/gbrc.
  
• Take the Eco-City Challenge to learn ways to: 
  • Reduce your carbon footprint
  • Reduce air, water, and solid waste pollution
  • Reduce resource consumption
  • Reduce water and energy costs
  • Improve your indoor environment
  • Improve your health and the health of the environment
    

• Awards and Accomplishments 

• More News & Events

Programs

	Air Quality MWCOG Air Quality Forecast Ambient Air Quality Indoor Air Quality Air Quality Action Days Cameron Station PM10 Monitoring Station Odors State of the Air Report: Past, Present, and Future		Watershed Management Why Your Involvement is Important What You Can Do Combined Sewer Systems Erosion and sediment control Stormwater Management Resource Protection Areas (RPAs)  Stream Restoration Urban Streams: Enjoying Our Stream Safely Water Conservation Rain Barrels Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Regulations and Permitting
	Noise Control What is Unlawful Noise? Decibel Chart: How Loud Are You? Construction Hours Other Noises Lawn and Garden Noise Permit and Variances Frequently Asked Questions Download Forms		Mirant Potomac River Generating Station Plant Information City Council Actions Permit & Consent Orders Studies Legislative & Regulatory Information Proposed Mirant Windscreen
	Contaminated Lands Voluntary Remediation Program Oronoco Outfall – Alexandria Town Gas Site Underground Storage Tank Program Illegal Dumping		Other Programs and Projects Kids' Corner  LED Streetlight Pilot Project  Climate Change & Energy  Greenhouse Gas and Criteria Air Pollutant Inventory

Overview

OEQ performs the following tasks in an effort to achieve the environmental goals established in the City Council's Strategic Plan (Adopted 2004, Revised 2006 & 2010) which states that "Alexandria respects, protects and enhances the health of its citizens and the quality of its natural environment."

• Monitors air and water quality.
• Investigates pollution complaints.
• Reviews development plans with regard to water quality impacts.
• Ensures compliance with the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.
• Issues noise variance permits.
• Inspects stormwater management facilities.
• Supports open space preservation.
• Participates in stormwater management and watershed planning and restoration initiatives.
• Responds to citizen questions and concerns and provides information to the public on how to protect and improve the environment.

Additionally, OEQ advises and works with other City agencies and divisions on matters that impact the environment, and provides staff support to the City’s Environmental Policy Commission, which studies and makes recommendations on various projects and program initiatives that may have environmental impacts. The Commission meets on a monthly basis.