The vast majority of Virginia waterways are polluted and there are atotal of 1,700 that must be cleaned up, according to this year’s water quality report from the state’s Department of Environmental Quality.
The Potomac River and several of its tributaries are considered “impaired” due to high levels of fecal coliform, E. coli and other toxic contaminants.
Pollution has also killed 80 percent of the small mouth bass in the Shenandoah River, which feeds the Potomac — a fact that should alarm Washington-area residents, according to Ed Merrifield, Potomac Riverkeeper and conservationist.
“The Shenandoah flows into the Potomac at Harpers Ferry. Whatever pollution is killing those fish; that water is flowing into some of our drinking water intakes,” Merrifield said.
Some 1,100 miles of streams and rivers, 27,600 acres of lakes and 360 square miles of estuaries were added to the state’s impaired waters list.
“Most of the new impairments are based on the increased monitoring within the bay,” said Robert Swanson with the DEQ’s Northern Virginia office.
New water quality standards were put in place and more testing was conducted with a focus on aquatic plant life and the amount of oxygen in the water.
Four Mile Run in Arlington and Alexandria and Chopawansic Creek in Prince William and Stafford counties were added to the impaired waters list for having minimal aquatic plant life. A low abundance of plant life could lead to lower levels of oxygen in the water, Swanson said.
Backlick Run in Fairfax and Alexandria was added to the list because of high levels of fecal coliform. Broad Run in Manassas is on the list for high levels of E. coli.
The report also states that the Chesapeake Bay suffers from having low levels of oxygen in the water, especially in the summer months. The bay also lacks sufficient amounts of aquatic plant life, among other impairments, the report stated.
“With information on 87 percent of the watersheds in Virginia, we are developing a very clear picture of the type and location of our water quality problems,” said David Paylor, DEQ director, in a statement.
But, while the report is helpful, it is only a start.
“No matter how much more data is collected, we need to start correcting the problems right now,” said Merrifield.
Virginia’s waterways
» About 9,000 miles of rivers and streams, 109,200 acres of lakes and reservoirs and 2,200 square miles of estuaries are impaired.
» About 5,300 miles of rivers and streams, 3,300 acres of lakes and reservoirs and 170 square miles of estuaries have high water quality.
» The DEQ doesn’t have sufficient information for 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 3,600 acres of lakes and reservoirs and 44 square miles of estuaries.
» A hearing will be held July 19th hearing on the report. For more information check www.deq.state.va.us.
