Overview
In November 2005, the Commonwealth of Virginia enacted the Local and Regional Water Supply Planning Regulation (9 VAC 25-780-10). This regulation was developed largely as a result of the droughts experienced in 1999 and 2002. The purpose of the regulation is to (i) ensure that adequate and safe drinking water is available to all citizens of the Commonwealth, (ii) encourage, promote and protect all other beneficial uses of the Commonwealth’s water resources; and (iii) encourage, promote and develop incentives for water conservation and for alternative water resources. The regulation requires that all counties, cities and towns in the Commonwealth submit a local water supply plan (WSP) or participate in a regional planning unit in the submittal of a regional WSP to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) and the State Water Control Board (SCWB).
The City of Alexandria joined 21 other communities (cities, towns and counties) to develop a comprehensive WSP that encompasses all of Northern Virginia. The municipalities participating in the WSP decided that the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) would take the lead in developing the WSP with input from each community. The plan developed by the NVRC includes information on water sources, water use, water resource conditions, water management actions, and an analysis of alternatives, drought and contingency plans in the event of water deficits. The plan also includes water supply projections through 2040. This plan was submitted to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on November 2, 2011. A public meeting was held on October 24, 2011 to present information on the regulation and the regional WSP. A formal public hearing to present the play to City Council and members of the public for comment and to answer questions about the plan was held January 21, 2012 and written comments on the report were received. Please note that the plan is still undergoing final review by VDEQ.
Project Documents and Meeting Materials
Contact
For additional information, contact:
Erin Bevis-Carver, P.E.
Sanitary Section Lead
Stormwater and Sanitary Infrastructure Division
703.746.4154