DEQ outlines controversial permits: PFAS concerns at Synagro sites, Lake Anna data-center discharge draws local opposition
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Summary
DEQ briefed the board on several controversial permit actions, including land-application permit modifications for Synagro (PFAS concerns), a golf-course water-withdrawal application, Arlington plant reissuance (PFAS), a small municipal facility reissuance with alleged noncompliance, and the Lake Anna data‑center draft permit for non-contact cooling-water discharge.
DEQ staff provided an overview of multiple controversial permit actions the agency is managing and outlined next steps and hearing timelines.
Synagro (Essex County and Orange County): DEQ described a modification application for Synagro’s Essex County land-application permit that would add about 6,300 acres, bringing the total authorized acreage to nearly 26,000 acres; DEQ received many public comments and granted hearings. Commenters’ recurring concern was PFAS in biosolids and potential transport to soils, crops and water. DEQ said it is awaiting final action from the governor’s office on biosolids-related legislative changes before taking further permit action on modifications tied to those concerns.
Lexington Golf & Country Club: A new-surface-water-withdrawal application for irrigation (about 45 million gallons per year) prompted more than 100 comments and requests for hearing. Concerns included erosion and sediment control, disturbance to streams and wetlands, and potential contamination of private wells.
Arlington County Water Pollution Control Plant: DEQ is managing a reissuance with extensive public comment (more than 120 comments) focused on PFAS in effluent and biosolids; DEQ expects additional hearings and a possible permit action later in the year.
Mountain View Nursing Home (Madison County): A smaller reissuance was noted; commenters alleged noncompliance, historical effluent-limit violations and concerns about discharges to nearby streams and private wells; hearings are being scheduled to resolve these issues.
Lake Anna Tech campus (data center): The draft permit for non-contact cooling-water discharge to Sedges Creek (which flows to Lake Anna) drew local concern about thermal impacts and water-quality integrity; DEQ held a draft-permit hearing and scheduled additional hearings and a potential final decision in June or July.
DEQ emphasized that the nature of the controversies ranges from chemical contaminants (PFAS) to erosion, sedimentation and thermal impacts. Staff listed hearing schedules and expected summary-in-response-to-comments hearings and potential final permit actions later this year for several items.
