virginia non-agency monitoring program overview of how vadeq incorporates submitted data
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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
Non-Agency Monitoring
Stuart Torbeck
Water Quality Data Liaison
(804)698-4461
Contact: