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DEQ outlines PFAS monitoring expansion and biosolids oversight amid pending EPA risk assessment
Summary
DEQ staff described expanded PFAS ambient and effluent monitoring, new state authorities for source assessments and self‑reporting, and DEQ's approach to biosolids permitting while awaiting EPA's biosolids risk assessment; staff said 58 public water systems had PFAS exceedances as of April 2025.
DEQ officials told the State Water Control Board on June 30 that the agency is accelerating PFAS source identification, monitoring and biosolids oversight in response to recent state laws and EPA activity.
"PFAS" (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of chemicals used for water‑ and stain‑resistant products and firefighting foams. Dr. Max Wheeler, who led the board’s PFAS briefing, said the Virginia General Assembly has given DEQ new authorities over the last several years, including funding for ambient monitoring (initiated in December 2021) and statutory authority to require self‑reporting and representative quarterly discharge monitoring from facilities that may significantly contribute PFAS to public water sources. He said that, as of April 2025, DEQ was tracking 58 unique public‑water systems with PFAS exceedances.
Wheeler described the source‑assessment process required by House Bill 1085 and Senate Bill 243: DEQ identifies the watershed or source area for a drinking system, filters permit holders by EPA’s list of PFAS‑handling industries, and has sent 185 letters requiring facilities to self‑report or monitor. "We had about 50 facilities respond so far," Wheeler said, adding that DEQ is preparing warning letters for nonrespondents.
Neil Zorodka, manager of DEQ’s Office of Land Application Programs, told the board how PFAS considerations intersect with biosolids. Zorodka summarized Virginia’s biosolids permitting framework (site books, landowner consent, VLAP‑approved lab analyses, setbacks, nutrient‑management plans and $7.50 per dry‑ton fees to run the program) and provided quantities: approximately 116,000 dry tons of biosolids are land‑applied annually on roughly 40,000 acres in Virginia; Maryland‑sourced material averages about 24,000 dry tons per year.
On federal action, staff noted EPA released a draft risk assessment for PFOA and PFOS in biosolids on Jan. 14 and extended the public‑comment period until Aug. 14. Zorodka said the draft assessment is not itself a regulatory mechanism and does not yet quantify risk‑management practices; DEQ plans to follow federal guidance and any further directives from the General Assembly.
Board members asked about compliance rates for the self‑reporting letters. Wheeler said "all but nine facilities have responded" and that DEQ is preparing warning letters to the remaining firms. A member of the public, Tyla Matson, urged DEQ to update the informational fact sheet given to farmers on emerging contaminants, describing the existing guidance as outdated.
DEQ said it will continue ambient monitoring (including fish tissue sampling in targeted basins), analyze the incoming facility monitoring data, report to the expert advisory committee, and publish annual reports required by statute.
