9VAC25-610-160. Draft permit.

Part III. Permit Application and Issuance

9VAC25-610-85. Preapplication meeting.

A. The applicant and owner or operator intending to apply for a new or expanded application for a groundwater withdrawal or reapply for a current permitted withdrawal shall schedule a meeting with the department prior to submitting their permit application. The purpose of the meeting is to have a mutual exchange of information on the proposed application and applicable regulatory requirements. If the preapplication meeting is being held for a public water supply system, the Virginia Department of Health may participate in the preapplication meeting by providing information and guidance to assist the applicant with meeting Virginia Department of Health regulatory requirements.

B. For applicants reapplying for a current permitted withdrawal, during the preapplication meeting, the department shall discuss information provided in previous permit applications and regular submittals that may or may not be resubmitted as part of the permit application.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014.

9VAC25-610-90. Application for a permit by groundwater users in existing groundwater management areas withdrawing prior to July 1, 1992.

Persons withdrawing groundwater or who have rights to withdraw groundwater prior to July 1, 1992, in the Eastern Virginia or Eastern Shore Groundwater Management Areas and not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 shall apply for a permit.

1. Any person who was issued a certificate of groundwater right or a permit to withdraw groundwater prior to July 1, 1991, and who was withdrawing groundwater pursuant to said permit or certificate on July 1, 1992, shall file an application on or before December 31, 1992, to continue said withdrawal. The applicant shall demonstrate the claimed prior withdrawals through withdrawal reports required by the existing certificate or permit or by reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations) (9VAC25-200).

2. Any person who was issued a certificate of groundwater right or a permit to withdraw groundwater prior to July 1, 1991, and who had not initiated the withdrawal prior to July 1, 1992, may initiate a withdrawal on or after July 1, 1992, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the certificate or permit and shall file an application for a groundwater withdrawal permit on or before December 31, 1995, to continue said withdrawal. The applicant shall demonstrate the claimed prior withdrawals through withdrawal reports required by the existing certificate or permit or by reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations (9VAC25-200).

3. Any person who was issued a permit to withdraw groundwater on or after July 1, 1991, and prior to July 1, 1992, shall not be required to apply for a groundwater withdrawal permit until the expiration of the permit to withdraw groundwater or 10 years from the date of issuance of the permit to withdraw groundwater whichever occurs first. Such persons shall reapply for a groundwater withdrawal permit as described in 9VAC25-610-96.

4. Any person withdrawing groundwater for agricultural or livestock watering purposes on or before July 1, 1992, shall file an application for a groundwater withdrawal permit on or before December 31, 1993. The applicant shall demonstrate the claimed prior withdrawals by voluntary withdrawal reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations) (9VAC25-200) when such reports have been filed with the board. When such reports are not available, estimates of withdrawal will be accepted that are based on the area irrigated, depth of irrigation, and annual number of irrigations; pumping capacity and annual pumping time; annual energy consumption for pumps, energy consumption per hour, and pumping capacity; number and type of livestock watered annually; number and type of livestock where water is used for cooling purposes; or other methods approved by the department.

5. Any political subdivision, or authority serving a political subdivision, holding a certificate of groundwater right or a permit to withdraw groundwater issued prior to July 1, 1992, for the operation of a public water supply well for the purpose of providing supplemental water during drought conditions, shall file an application on or before December 31, 1992. Any political subdivision, or authority serving a political subdivision, shall submit, as part of the application, a water conservation and management plan as described in 9VAC25-610-100 B.

6. Any person who is required to apply in subdivision 1, 2, or 5 of this section and who uses the certificated or permitted withdrawal to operate a public water supply system shall provide a copy of the waterworks operation permit, or equivalent, with the required application for a groundwater withdrawal permit.

7. Any person described in subdivision 1, 2, 3, or 5 of this section who files a complete application by the date required may continue to withdraw groundwater pursuant to the existing certificate or permit until such time as the department takes action on the outstanding application for a groundwater withdrawal permit.

8. Any person described in subdivision 4 of this section who files a complete application by the date required may continue his existing withdrawal until such time as the department takes action on the outstanding application for a groundwater withdrawal permit.

9. Any person described in subdivision 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 of this section who files an incomplete application by the date required may continue to withdraw groundwater as described in subdivisions 7 and 8 of this section provided that all information required to complete the application is provided to the department within 60 days of the department's notice to the applicant of deficiencies. Should such person not provide the department the required information within 60 days, he shall cease withdrawals until he provides any additional information to the department and the department concurs that the application is complete.

10. A complete application for those persons described in subdivision 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 of this section shall contain:

a. The permit fee as required by the Fees for Permits and Certificates Regulations (9VAC25-20);

b. A groundwater withdrawal permit application completed in its entirety with all maps, attachments, and addenda that may be required. Application forms shall be submitted in a format specified by the department. Such application forms are available from the Department of Environmental Quality;

c. A signature as described in 9VAC25-610-150;

d. Well construction documentation for all wells associated with the application submitted on the Water Well Completion Report, Form GW2, which includes the following information:

(1) The depth of the well;

(2) The diameter, top and bottom, and material of each cased interval;

(3) The diameter, top and bottom, for each screened interval; and

(4) The depth of pump intake;

e. Locations of all wells associated with the application shown on United States Geological Survey 7-1/2 minute topographic maps. The applicant shall provide the latitude and longitude coordinates in a datum specified by the department for each existing and proposed well. The detailed location map shall be of sufficient detail such that all wells may be easily located for site inspection;

f. A map identifying the service areas for public water supplies;

g. Information on surface water and groundwater conjunctive use systems as described in 9VAC25-610-104 if applicable;

h. Persons described in subdivision 5 of this section shall submit a water conservation and management plan as described in 9VAC25-610-100;

i. Withdrawal reports required by the existing groundwater certificate or permit, reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations (9VAC25-200), or estimates of withdrawals as described in subdivision 4 of this section to support any claimed prior withdrawal; and

j. A copy of the Virginia Department of Health waterworks operation permit, or equivalent, where applicable.

11. The department may waive the requirement for information listed in subdivision 10 of this section to be submitted if it has access to substantially identical information that remains accurate and relevant to the permit application.

12. Any person described in subdivision 1, 2, 3, or 5 of this section who fails to file an application by the date required creates the presumption that all claims to groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned. Should any such person wish to rebut the presumption that claims to groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned, he shall have filed an application with a letter of explanation to the board by November 21, 1993. Any such person failing to rebut the presumption that claims to groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned who wishes to withdraw groundwater shall apply for a new withdrawal as described in 9VAC25-610-94.

13. Any person described in subdivision 4 of this section who fails to file an application by the date required creates the presumption that all claims to groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned. Should any such person wish to rebut the presumption that claims to groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned, he may do so by filing an application with a letter of explanation to the board within 60 days of the original required date or within 60 days of January 1, 1999, whichever is later. Any such person failing to rebut the presumption that claims to groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned who wishes to withdraw groundwater shall apply for a new withdrawal as described in 9VAC25-610-94.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-13-07 § 3.1, eff. September 22, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-92. Application for a permit by existing users when a groundwater management area is declared or expanded on or after July 1, 1992.

Persons withdrawing groundwater when a groundwater management area is declared or expanded on or after July 1, 1992, and not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 shall apply for a permit.

1. Any person withdrawing groundwater in an area that is declared to be a groundwater management area on or after July 1, 1992, shall file an application for a groundwater permit within six months of the effective date of the regulation creating or expanding the groundwater management area. The applicant shall demonstrate the claimed prior withdrawals through withdrawal reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations (9VAC25-200), or other methods approved by the department if reporting information pursuant to the Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations is not available. In the case of agricultural groundwater withdrawals not required to report by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations, estimates of withdrawal will be accepted that are based on the area irrigated, depth of irrigation, and annual number of irrigations; pumping capacity and annual pumping time; annual energy consumption for pumps, energy consumption per hour, and pumping capacity; number and type of livestock watered annually; number and type of livestock where water is used for cooling purposes; or other methods approved by the department.

2. Any person withdrawing groundwater who uses the withdrawal to operate a public water supply system shall provide a copy of the waterworks operation permit, or equivalent, with the required application for a groundwater withdrawal permit.

3. Any person who is required to apply for a groundwater withdrawal permit and files a complete application within six months after the effective date of the regulation creating or expanding a groundwater management area may continue their existing documented withdrawal until such time as the department takes action on the outstanding application for a groundwater withdrawal permit.

4. Any person who is required to apply for a groundwater withdrawal permit and files an incomplete application within six months after the effective date of the regulation creating or expanding a groundwater management area may continue to withdraw groundwater as described in subdivision 3 of this section provided that all the information required to complete the application is provided to the department within 60 days of the department's notice to the applicant of deficiencies. Should such person not provide the department the required information within 60 days, he shall cease withdrawals until he provides any additional information to the department and the department concurs that the application is complete.

5. A complete application for those persons described in subdivision 1 of this section shall contain:

a. The permit fee as required by the Fees for Permits and Certificates Regulations (9VAC25-20);

c. A signature as described in 9VAC25-610-150;

d. Well construction documentation for all wells associated with the application submitted on the Water Well Completion Report, Form GW2, which includes the following information:

(1) The depth of the well;

(2) The diameter, top and bottom, and material of each cased interval;

(3) The diameter, top and bottom, for each screened interval; and

(4) The depth of pump intake;

f. A map identifying the service areas for public water supplies;

g. Information on surface water and groundwater conjunctive use systems as described in 9VAC25-610-104 if applicable;

h. Withdrawal reports required by Water Withdrawal Reporting Regulations (9VAC25-200), other documentation demonstrating historical water use approved by the department to support claimed prior withdrawals if Water Withdrawal Reporting information is unavailable or estimates of withdrawals as described in subdivision 1 of this section to support any claimed prior withdrawal; and

i. A copy of the Virginia Department of Health waterworks operation permit where applicable.

6. The department may waive the requirement for information listed in subdivision 5 of this section to be submitted if it has access to substantially identical information that remains accurate and relevant to the permit application.

7. Any person who fails to file an application within six months after the effective date creating or expanding a groundwater management area creates the presumption that all claims to groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned. Should any such person wish to rebut the presumption that claims to groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned, they may do so by filing an application with a letter of explanation to the department within eight months after the date creating or expanding the groundwater management area. Any such person failing to rebut the presumption that claims to groundwater withdrawal based on historic use have been abandoned who wishes to withdraw groundwater shall apply for a new withdrawal as described in 9VAC25-610-94.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-94. Application for a new permit, expansion of an existing withdrawal, or reapplication for a current permitted withdrawal.

Persons wishing to initiate a new withdrawal, expand an existing withdrawal, or reapply for a current permitted withdrawal in any groundwater management area and not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 shall apply for a permit.

1. A groundwater withdrawal permit application shall be completed and submitted to the department and a groundwater withdrawal permit issued by the department prior to the initiation of any withdrawal not specifically excluded in 9VAC25-610-50 or authorized by a general permit adopted by the board as a regulation.

2. A complete groundwater withdrawal permit application for a new or expanded withdrawal, or reapplication for a current withdrawal, shall contain the following:

a. The permit fee as required by the Fees for Permits and Certificates Regulations (9VAC25-20);

c. A signature as described in 9VAC25-610-150;

d. A completed well construction report for all existing wells associated with the application submitted on the Water Well Completion Report, Form GW2;

e. The application shall include locations of all wells associated with the application shown on United States Geological Survey 7-1/2 minute topographic maps. The applicant shall provide the latitude and longitude coordinates in a datum specified by the department for each existing and proposed well. The detailed location map shall be of sufficient detail such that all wells may be easily located for site inspection;

f. A map identifying the service areas for public water supplies;

g. Information on surface water and groundwater conjunctive use systems as described in 9VAC25-610-104 if applicable;

h. A water conservation and management plan as described in 9VAC25-610-100;

i. The application shall include notification from the local governing body in which the withdrawal is to occur that the location and operation of the withdrawing facility is in compliance with all ordinances adopted pursuant to Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia. If the governing body fails to respond to the applicant's request for certification within 45 days of receipt of the written request, the location and operation of the proposed facility shall be deemed to comply with the provisions of such ordinances for the purposes of this chapter. The applicant shall document the local governing body's receipt of the request for certification through the use of certified mail or other means that establishes proof of delivery;

j. An alternatives analysis that evaluates sources of water supply other than groundwater, including sources of reclaimed water, and the lowest quality of water needed for the intended beneficial use as described in 9VAC25-610-102;

k. Documentation justifying the need for future water supply as described in 9VAC25-610-102;

l. A plan to mitigate potential adverse impacts from the proposed withdrawal on existing groundwater users. In lieu of developing individual mitigation plans, multiple applicants may choose to establish a mitigation program to collectively develop and implement a cooperative mitigation plan that covers the entire area of impact of all members of the mitigation program; and

m. Other relevant information that may be required by the department to evaluate the application.

3. In addition to requirements contained in subdivision 2 of this section, the department may require any or all of the following information prior to considering an application complete.

a. The installation of monitoring wells and the collection and analysis of drill cuttings, continuous cores, geophysical logs, water quality samples, or other hydrogeologic information necessary to characterize the aquifer system present at the proposed withdrawal site.

b. The completion of pump tests or aquifer tests to determine aquifer characteristics at the proposed withdrawal site.

4. The department may waive the requirement for information listed in subdivision 2 or 3 of this section to be submitted if it has access to substantially identical information that remains accurate and relevant to the permit application.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-95. General permits.

A. The board may issue a general permit by regulation for withdrawals of groundwater within a groundwater management area as it deems appropriate in accordance with the following:

1. A general permit may be written to cover the following:

a. Withdrawals of a certain size;

b. Withdrawals from a specific aquifer or confining unit; or

c. Other categories of withdrawals deemed appropriate by the board.

2. A general permit must clearly identify the applicable conditions of this chapter for each category or subcategory of withdrawals covered by the permit.

3. The general permit may exclude specified withdrawals or areas from coverage.

B. When the board determines on a case-by-case basis that concerns for the aquifer, water quality, or the ecosystem services that depend on the groundwater so indicate, the board may require individual applications and individual permits rather than approving coverage under a general permit regulation. Cases where an individual permit may be required include the following:

1. The wells of two or more groundwater users within the area are interfering or may reasonably be expected to interfere substantially with one another;

2. The available groundwater or surface water supply that rely on surficial aquifer input has been or may be adversely impacted or instream beneficial uses may be impacted;

3. The groundwater or surface water in the area has been or may become polluted. Such pollution includes any alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological properties of groundwater or surface waters that has a harmful or detrimental effect on the quality or quantity of such waters;

4. The applicant or permittee is not in compliance with the conditions of the general permit regulation or coverage; or

5. An applicant or permittee no longer qualifies for coverage under the general permit.

C. General permit coverage may be revoked from a permittee for any of the reasons set forth in 9VAC25-610-300 A subject to appropriate opportunity for a hearing.

D. Activities authorized under a general permit and general permit regulation shall be authorized for the fixed term stated in the applicable general permit and general permit regulation.

E. When an individual permit is issued to a permittee, the applicability of general permit coverage to the individual permittee is automatically terminated on the effective date of the groundwater withdrawal individual permit.

F. When a groundwater withdrawal general permit regulation is issued that applies to a permittee that is already covered by an individual permit, that person may request exclusion from the provisions of the general permit regulation and subsequent coverage under an individual permit.

G. General permits may be issued, modified, revoked and reissued, or terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

Statutory Authority

§§ 62.1-256 and 62.1-262.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 7, eff. December 21, 2022.

9VAC25-610-96. Duty to reapply for a permit.

A. Any permittee with an effective permit shall submit a new permit application at least 270 days before the expiration date of an effective permit unless permission for a later date has been granted by the department. If a complete application for a new permit has been filed in a timely manner, and the department is unable, through no fault of the permittee, to issue a new permit before the expiration date of the previous permit, the permit may be administratively continued.

B. Permittees who have effective permits shall submit a new application 270 days prior to any proposed modification to their activity or withdrawal system that will:

1. Result in an increase of withdrawals above permitted limits; or

2. Violate or lead to the violation of the terms and conditions of the permit.

C. The applicant shall provide all information described in 9VAC25-610-94 for any reapplication. The information may be provided by referencing information previously submitted to the department that remains accurate and relevant to the permit application. The department may waive any requirement of 9VAC25-610-94 if it has access to substantially identical information.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-98. Incomplete or inaccurate applications.

A. Where the department finds an application to be incomplete under the requirements of 9VAC25-610-90, 9VAC25-610-92, or 9VAC25-610-94, the department shall require the submission of additional information after an application has been filed, and may suspend processing of the application until such time as the applicant has supplied the missing or deficient information and the department finds the application complete. An incomplete permit application for a new or expanded withdrawal may be suspended from processing 180 days from the date that the applicant received notification that the application is deficient. Once an application has been suspended from processing, the applicant must submit a new complete application; however, no additional permit fee will be assessed. Further, where the applicant becomes aware that one or more relevant facts from a permit application were omitted, or that incorrect information was submitted in a permit application or in any report to the department, the applicant shall immediately submit such facts or the correct information.

B. When an application does not accurately describe an existing or proposed groundwater withdrawal, the department may require the applicant to revise the existing application or submit a new application before the application will be processed.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-100. Water conservation and management plans.

A. Any application to initiate a new withdrawal or expand an existing withdrawal in any groundwater management area or the reapplication at the end of a permit cycle for all permits shall require a water conservation and management plan before the application or reapplication is considered complete. The department shall review all water conservation and management plans and assure that such plans contain all elements required in subsection B of this section. The approved plan shall become an enforceable part of the approved permit.

B. A water conservation and management plan is an operational plan to be referenced and implemented by the permittee. Water conservation and management plans shall be consistent with local and regional water supply plans in the applicant's geographic area developed as required by 9VAC25-780. The water conservation and management plan shall be specific to the type of water use and include the following:

1. For municipal and nonmunicipal public water supplies:

a. Where practicable, the plan should require use of water-saving equipment and processes for all water users including technological, procedural, or programmatic improvements to the facilities and processes to decrease the amount of water withdrawn or to decrease water demand. The goal of these requirements is to assure the most efficient use of groundwater. Information on the water-saving alternatives examined and the water savings associated with the alternatives shall be provided. Water conservation and management plans shall discuss high volume water consumption by users on the system and where conservation measures have previously been implemented and shall be applied. Also, where appropriate, the use of water-saving fixtures in new and renovated plumbing as provided in the Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63) shall be identified in the plan;

b. A water loss reduction program, which defines the applicant's leak detection and repair program. The water loss reduction program shall include requirements for an audit of the total amount of groundwater used in the distribution system and operational processes during the first two years of the permit cycle. Implementation of a leak detection and repair program shall be required within one year of the date the permit is issued. The program shall include a schedule for inspection of equipment and piping for leaks;

c. A water use education program that contains requirements for the education of water users and training of employees controlling water consuming processes to assure that water conservation principles are well known by the users of the resource. The program shall include a schedule for information distribution and the type of materials used;

d. An evaluation of water reuse options and assurances that water shall be reused in all instances where reuse is practicable. Potential for expansion of the existing reuse practices or adoption of additional reuse practices shall also be included; and

e. Requirements for mandatory water use reductions during water shortage emergencies declared by the local governing body or water authority consistent with §§ 15.2-923 and 15.2-924 of the Code of Virginia. This shall include, where appropriate, ordinances in municipal systems prohibiting the waste of water generally and requirements providing for mandatory water use restrictions in accordance with drought response and contingency ordinances implemented to comply with 9VAC25-780-120 during water shortage emergencies. The water conservation and management plan shall also contain requirements for mandatory water use restrictions during water shortage emergencies that restricts or prohibits all nonessential uses such as lawn watering, car washing, and similar nonessential residential, industrial, and commercial uses for the duration of the water shortage emergency. Penalties for failure to comply with mandatory water use restrictions shall be included in municipal system plans.

2. For nonpublic water supply applicants - commercial and industrial users:

a. Where applicable, the plan should require use of water-saving equipment and processes for all water users including technological, procedural, or programmatic improvements to the facilities and processes to decrease the amount of water withdrawn or to decrease water demand. The goal of these requirements is to assure the most efficient use of groundwater. Information on the water-saving alternatives examined and the water savings associated with the alternatives shall be provided. Also, where appropriate, the use of water-saving fixtures in new and renovated plumbing as provided in the Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63) shall be identified in the plan;

e. Requirements for complying with mandatory water use reductions during water shortage emergencies declared by the local governing body or water authority in accordance with §§ 15.2-923 and 15.2-924 of the Code of Virginia. This shall include, where appropriate, ordinances prohibiting the waste of water generally and requirements providing for mandatory water use restrictions in accordance with drought response and contingency ordinances implemented to comply with 9VAC25-780-120 during water shortage emergencies. The water conservation and management plan shall also contain requirements for mandatory water use restrictions during water shortage emergencies that restricts or prohibits all nonessential uses such as lawn watering, car washing, and similar nonessential industrial and commercial uses for the duration of the water shortage emergency.

3. For nonpublic water supply applicants - agricultural users:

a. Requirements for the use of water-saving plumbing and processes to decrease the amount of water withdrawn or to decrease water demand. Plans submitted for the use of groundwater for irrigation shall identify the specific type of irrigation system that will be utilized, the efficiency rating of the irrigation system in comparison to less efficient systems, the irrigation schedule used to minimize water demand, and the crop watering requirements. Multiple types of irrigation methods may be addressed in the plan. For livestock watering operations, plans shall include livestock watering requirements (per head) and processes to minimize waste of water. These requirements shall assure that the most practicable use is made of groundwater. If these options are not implemented in the plan, information on the water-saving alternatives examined and the water savings associated with the alternatives shall be provided;

c. A water use education program that contains requirements for the training of employees controlling water consuming processes to assure that water conservation principles are well known by the users of the resource. The program shall include a schedule for training employees. This requirement may be met through training employees on water use requirements contained in irrigation management plans or livestock management plans;

d. An evaluation of potential water reuse options and assurances that water shall be reused in all instances where reuse is practicable and not prohibited by other regulatory programs; Potential for expansion of the existing reuse practices or adoption of additional reuse practices shall also be included; and

e. Requirements for mandatory water use reductions during water shortage emergencies and compliance with ordinances prohibiting the waste of water generally. This shall include requirements providing for mandatory water use restrictions in accordance with drought response and contingency ordinances implemented to comply with 9VAC25-780-120 during water shortage emergencies.

f. The permittee may submit portions of Agricultural Management Plans or Irrigation Management Plans developed to comply with requirements of federal or state laws, regulations, or guidelines to demonstrate the requirements of subdivisions B 3 a through d of this section are being achieved.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-13-07 § 3.2, eff. September 22, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-102. Evaluation of need for withdrawal and alternatives.

A. The applicant shall identify the purpose of the proposed withdrawal by providing a narrative description of the water supply issues that form the basis of the proposed withdrawal.

B. The applicant shall subsequently demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that the withdrawal meets an established water supply need.

1. In establishing local need for a public water supply, the applicant shall provide the following information:

a. Existing supply sources, yields and demands, including:

(1) Peak day and average daily withdrawal;

(2) Total consumptive use component of the withdrawal, including identification of the amount needed for human consumption;

(3) Types of water uses; and

(4) Existing water conservation measures and drought response plan, including what conditions trigger their implementation.

b. Projected demands in 10 year increments over a minimum 30-year planning period that includes the following:

(1) Projected demand contained in the local or regional water supply plan developed in accordance with 9VAC25-780 or for the project service area if such area is smaller than the planning area; or

(2) Statistical population (growth) trends, projected demands by use type including projected demand with and without water conservation measures.

2. In establishing need for agricultural water supply, the applicant shall provide the following information:

a. For crop irrigation: crop, acreage, crop spacing, crop watering requirements for the particular crop (crop rooting depth), soil types, soil holding capacity (available water capacity), allowable soil water depletion, historic precipitation records (precipitation contribution), peak irrigation months, irrigation scheduling approaches (tensiometers vs. feel method), irrigation type (drip, overhead, center pivot etc.), and irrigation system efficiency rating.

b. For livestock watering: kind and size of animal, rate and composition of gain, presence of pregnant animals or lactating animals, type of diet, level of dry matter intake, level of activity, quality of the water, temperature of the water offered, and surrounding air temperature.

3. In establishing need for commercial water supply, the applicant shall provide the following information:

a. Number of employees by month for an average year;

b. Average gallons per day used per month;

c. Average daily water use rate per employee per month; and

d. Identification of peak month of water demand.

4. In establishing need for industrial water supply, the applicant shall provide the following information:

a. SIC or NAICS industry code;

b. Number of employees by month for an average year;

c. Average gallons per day used per month;

d. Average daily water use rate per employee per month;

e. Identification of peak month of water demand;

f. Amount of withdrawal per unit of output or similar metric identified by the user; and

g. Monthly amount of water used for industrial processes.

C. The applicant shall provide an alternatives analysis that evaluates sources of water supply other than groundwater and the availability and use of lower qualities of groundwater that can still be put to beneficial use. For all proposed withdrawals, the applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department:

1. Opportunities to reduce and minimize the use of groundwater have been identified and the requested amount is the minimum amount of groundwater necessary for the proposed activity;

2. The project utilizes the lowest quality water for the proposed activity;

3. Alternate sources of supply other than groundwater, including surface water and water reuse, were considered for use in the proposed activity particularly for consumptive use purposes; and

4. Practicable alternatives, including design alternatives, have been evaluated for the proposed activity. Measures that would avoid or result in less adverse impact to high quality groundwater shall be considered to the maximum extent practicable.

D. Any alternatives analysis conducted specifically for public water supply projects shall include:

1. All applicable alternatives contained in the local or regional water supply plan developed in accordance with 9VAC25-780;

2. Alternatives that are practicable that had not been identified in the local or regional water supply plan developed in accordance with 9VAC25-780;

3. Water conservation measures that could be considered as a means to reduce demand for each alternative considered by the applicant; and

4. A narrative description that outlines the opportunities and status of regionalization efforts undertaken by the applicant, including the interconnectivity of water systems and the ability for applicants to purchase water from other water supplies.

E. The alternatives analysis shall discuss the criteria used to evaluate each alternative including, but not limited to:

1. Demonstration that the proposed alternative meets the project purpose and project demonstrated need;

2. Availability of the alternative to the applicant;

3. Evaluation of interconnectivity of water supply systems and the ability to purchase water from other supplies when applicable (both existing and proposed); and

4. Evaluation of the cost of the alternative on an equivalent basis.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-104. Surface water and groundwater conjunctive use systems.

A. Surface water and groundwater conjunctive use systems for public water supplies.

1. Applicants proposing to withdraw groundwater as part of a surface water and groundwater conjunctive use system for public water supplies shall provide the following information to the department in addition to information required by 9VAC25-610-90, 9VAC25-610-92, or 9VAC25-610-94 as part of their permit application:

a. A detailed description of the surface water and groundwater conjunctive use system, including:

(1) Identification of all surface water sources, including pond and reservoir volumes where applicable;

(2) Identification of the wells used on a continual basis to supplement surface water supply needs and wells to be utilized in periods of reduced surface water availability. Well construction information for all wells shall be submitted on the Water Well Completion Report, Form GW2, which includes the following information:

(a) The depth of the well;

(b) The diameter, top and bottom, and material of each cased interval;

(d) The depth of pump intake.

(3) A description of the storage system, excluding surface water sources described in subdivision 1 a (1) of this subsection;

(4) A copy of the Engineering Description Sheet developed by the Virginia Department of Health for the withdrawal; and

(5) A line drawing of the water supply system illustrating the water balance of the system.

b. Records documenting the amount of water withdrawn on a daily basis for each water source during average weather conditions and during drought conditions;

c. Documentation of the seasonal supply of surface water during both average and drought conditions;

d. Documentation of any seasonal changes in demand that occur during an annual cycle of the specified beneficial use or uses; and

e. Other relevant information that may be required by the department to evaluate the application.

2. The applicant shall demonstrate that the groundwater withdrawal will originate from the aquifer that contains the lowest quality water that will support the proposed beneficial use or uses.

3. The department shall evaluate the proposed groundwater withdrawal for consistency with criteria specified in 9VAC25-610-110.

4. In addition to conditions established in 9VAC25-610-100, 9VAC25-610-110, 9VAC25-610-120, 9VAC25-610-130, and 9VAC25-610-140, the permit shall specify the maximum amount of groundwater that may be withdrawn during the term of the permit and shall address variations in the groundwater withdrawal amounts that may occur.

5. The department may issue any permit with terms, conditions, or limitations necessary to protect the public welfare, safety, and health, or to protect the resource.

6. Applicants may request approval to withdraw groundwater amounts that exceed the withdrawal limits established in subdivision 4 of this section from wells that are part of a conjunctive use system to meet human consumption needs during periods of drought by applying for a supplemental drought relief permit as described in 9VAC25-610-106.

B. Surface water and groundwater conjunctive use systems for uses other than public water supplies.

1. Applicants proposing to withdraw groundwater as part of a surface water and groundwater conjunctive use system for uses other than public water supplies shall provide the following information to the department in addition to information required by 9VAC25-610-90, 9VAC25-610-92, or 9VAC25-610-94 as part of their permit application:

a. A detailed description of the surface water and groundwater conjunctive use system, including:

(1) Identification of all surface water sources, including pond and reservoir volumes where applicable;

(a) The depth of the well;

(b) The diameter, top and bottom, and material of each cased interval;

(d) The depth of pump intake.

(3) A description of the storage system, excluding surface water sources described in subdivision 1 a (1) of this subsection; and

(4) A map delineating the area in which the water will be beneficially used.

b. Records documenting the amount of water withdrawn on a monthly basis and annual basis for each water source during average weather conditions and during drought conditions;

c. Documentation of the seasonal supply of surface water during both average and drought conditions;

d. Documentation of any seasonal changes in demand that occur during an annual cycle of the specified beneficial use or uses;

e. Other relevant information that may be required by the department to evaluate the application.

2. The applicant shall demonstrate that the groundwater withdrawal will originate from the aquifer that contains the lowest quality water that will support the proposed beneficial use or uses.

3. The department shall evaluate the proposed groundwater withdrawal for consistency with criteria specified in 9VAC25-610-110.

4. In addition to conditions established in 9VAC25-610-100, 9VAC25-610-110, 9VAC25-610-130, and 9VAC25-610-140, the permit shall specify the maximum amount of groundwater that may be withdrawn during the term of the permit and shall address variations in the groundwater withdrawal amounts that may occur.

5. The department may issue any permit with terms, conditions, or limitations necessary to protect the public welfare, safety, and health, or to protect the resource.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-106. Supplemental drought relief wells.

A. Public water supplies wishing to withdraw groundwater for human consumption during periods of drought through the use of supplemental drought relief wells in any groundwater management area and not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 shall apply for a permit.

B. A groundwater withdrawal permit application shall be completed and submitted to the department and a groundwater withdrawal permit issued by the department prior to the initiation of any withdrawal not specifically excluded in 9VAC25-610-50 or authorized by a general permit adopted by the board as a regulation.

C. A complete groundwater withdrawal permit application for supplemental drought relief wells shall contain the following:

1. The permit fee as required by the Fees for Permits and Certificates Regulations (9VAC25-20);

2. A groundwater withdrawal permit application completed in its entirety with all maps, attachments, and addenda that may be required. Application forms shall be submitted in a format specified by the department. Such application forms are available from the Department of Environmental Quality;

3. A signature as described in 9VAC25-610-150;

4. Well construction documentation for all wells associated with the application submitted on the Water Well Completion Report, Form GW2, which includes the following information:

a. The depth of the well;

b. The diameter, top and bottom, and material of each cased interval;

c. The diameter, top and bottom, for each screened interval; and

d. The depth of pump intake.

5. The application shall include locations of all wells associated with the application shown on United States Geological Survey 7-1/2 minute topographic maps. The applicant shall provide the latitude and longitude coordinates in a datum specified by the department for each existing and proposed well. The detailed location map shall be of sufficient detail such that all wells may be easily located for site inspection;

6. A map identifying the service areas for public water supplies;

7. Information on surface water and groundwater conjunctive use systems as described in 9VAC25-610-104 if applicable;

8. A water conservation and management plan as described in 9VAC25-610-100;

9. The application shall include notification from the local governing body in which the withdrawal is to occur that the location and operation of the withdrawing facility is in compliance with all ordinances adopted pursuant to Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia. If the governing body fails to respond to the applicant's request for certification within 45 days of receipt of the written request, the location and operation of the proposed facility shall be deemed to comply with the provisions of such ordinances for the purposes of this chapter. The applicant shall document the local governing body's receipt of the request for certification through the use of certified mail or other means that establishes proof of delivery;

10. A plan to mitigate potential adverse impacts from the proposed withdrawal on existing groundwater users. In lieu of developing individual mitigation plans, multiple applicants may choose to establish a mitigation program to collectively develop and implement a cooperative mitigation plan that covers the entire area of impact of all members of the mitigation program;

11. Documentation on the maximum amount of groundwater needed annually to meet human consumption needs; and

12. Other relevant information that may be required by the department to evaluate the application.

D. Permits issued by the department for groundwater withdrawals from supplemental drought relief wells shall include the following permit conditions:

1. Permits shall include a maximum amount of groundwater allowed to be withdrawn over the term of the permit.

2. The permit shall specify an annual limit on the amount of groundwater to be withdrawn based on the amount of groundwater needed annually to meet human consumption needs. Groundwater withdrawals from supplemental drought relief wells shall be subject to monthly groundwater withdrawal limits.

3. Permits shall specify that groundwater withdrawn from supplemental drought relief wells shall be used to meet human consumption needs.

4. Permits shall specify that groundwater shall only be withdrawn from supplemental drought relief wells after mandatory water restrictions have been implemented pursuant to approved water conservation and management plans as required by § 62.1-265 of the Code of Virginia.

5. A permit shall contain the total depth of each permitted well in feet.

6. A permit shall specify the screened intervals of wells authorized for use by the permit.

7. A permit shall contain the designation of the aquifers to be utilized.

8. A permit may contain conditions limiting the withdrawal amount of a single well or a group of wells within a withdrawal system to a quantity specified by the department.

9. A groundwater withdrawal permit for a public water supply shall contain a condition allowing daily withdrawals at a level consistent with the requirements and conditions contained in the waterworks operation permit, or equivalent, issued by the Virginia Department of Health. This requirement shall not limit the authority of the department to reduce or eliminate groundwater withdrawals by public water suppliers if necessary to protect human health or the environment.

10. The permit shall state that no pumps or water intake devices are to be placed lower than the top of the uppermost confined aquifer that a well utilizes as a groundwater source or lower than the bottom of an unconfined aquifer that a well utilizes as a groundwater source in order to prevent dewatering of a confined aquifer, loss of inelastic storage, or damage to the aquifer from compaction.

11. All permits shall specify monitoring requirements as conditions of the permit.

a. Permitted users shall install in-line totalizing flow meters to read gallons, cubic feet, or cubic meters on each permitted well prior to beginning the permitted use. Such meters shall produce volume determinations within plus or minus 10% of actual flows. A defective meter or other device must be repaired or replaced within 30 days. A defective meter is not grounds for not reporting withdrawals. During any period when a meter is defective, generally accepted engineering methods shall be used to estimate withdrawals and the period during which the meter was defective must be clearly identified in groundwater withdrawal reports. An alternative method for determining flow may be approved by the department on a case-by-case basis.

b. Permits shall contain requirements concerning the proper use, maintenance, and installation, when appropriate, of monitoring equipment or methods when required as a condition of the permit.

c. Permits shall contain required monitoring including type, intervals, and frequency sufficient to yield data that are representative of the monitored activity and including, when appropriate, continuous monitoring and sampling.

d. Each permitted well shall be equipped in a manner such that water levels can be measured during pumping and nonpumping periods without dismantling any equipment. Any opening for tape measurement of water levels shall have an inside diameter of at least 0.5 inches and be sealed by a removable plug or cap. The permittee shall provide a tap for taking raw water samples from each permitted well.

12. All permits shall prohibit withdrawals from wells not authorized in the permit.

13. All permits shall include requirements to report the amount of water withdrawn from each permitted well or well system on forms provided by the department with a frequency dependent on the nature and effect of the withdrawal, but in no case less than once per year.

14. Groundwater withdrawal permits issued under this chapter shall have an effective and expiration date that will determine the life of the permit. Groundwater withdrawal permits shall be effective for a fixed term not to exceed 15 years. Permit duration of less than the maximum period of time may be recommended in areas where hydrologic conditions are changing or are not adequately known. The term of any permit shall not be extended by modification beyond the maximum duration. Extension of permits for the same activity beyond the maximum duration specified in the original permit will require reapplication and issuance of a new permit.

15. Each permit shall have a condition allowing the reopening of the permit for the purpose of modifying the conditions of the permit to meet new regulatory standards duly adopted by the board.

16. Each well that is included in a groundwater withdrawal permit shall have affixed to the well casing, in a prominent place, a permanent well identification plate that records the Department of Environmental Quality well identification number, the groundwater withdrawal permit number, the total depth of the well, and the screened intervals in the well, at a minimum. Such well identification plates shall be in a format specified by the department and are available from the Department of Environmental Quality.

E. The permit shall address variations in the groundwater withdrawal amounts that may occur.

F. In addition to the permit conditions listed in subsection D of this section, the department may issue any permit with terms, conditions, or limitations necessary to protect the public welfare, safety, and health, or to protect the resource.

G. The department shall evaluate the application for supplemental drought relief wells based on the following criteria:

1. The applicant demonstrates that no pumps or water intake devices are placed lower than the top of the uppermost confined aquifer that a well utilizes as a groundwater source or lower than the bottom of an unconfined aquifer that a well utilizes as a groundwater source in order to prevent dewatering of a confined aquifer, loss of inelastic storage, or damage to the aquifer from compaction.

2. The applicant demonstrates that the amount of groundwater withdrawal requested is the smallest amount of withdrawal necessary to support human consumption when mandatory water use restrictions have been implemented.

3. The applicant provides a water conservation and management plan as described in 9VAC25-610-100 and implements the plan as an enforceable condition of the groundwater withdrawal permit.

4. The applicant provides certification by the local governing body that the location and operation of the withdrawing facility is in compliance with all ordinances adopted pursuant to Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia.

5. The department's technical evaluation demonstrates that the area of impact of the proposed withdrawal will remain on property owned by the applicant or that there are no existing groundwater withdrawers within the area of impact of the proposed withdrawal.

In cases where the area of impact does not remain on the property owned by the applicant or existing groundwater withdrawers will be included in the area of impact, the applicant shall provide and implement a plan to mitigate all adverse impacts on existing groundwater users. Approvable mitigation plans shall, at a minimum, contain the following features and implementation of the mitigation plan shall be included as enforceable permit conditions:

a. The rebuttable presumption that water level declines that cause adverse impacts to existing wells within the area of impact are due to the proposed withdrawal;

b. A commitment by the applicant to mitigate undisputed adverse impacts due to the proposed withdrawal in a timely fashion;

c. A speedy, nonexclusive, low-cost process to fairly resolve disputed claims for mitigation between the applicant and any claimant; and

d. The requirement that the claimant provide documentation that he is the owner of the well; documentation that the well was constructed and operated prior to the initiation of the applicant's withdrawal; the depth of the well, the pump, and screens, and any other construction information that the claimant possesses; the location of the well with enough specificity that it can be located in the field; the historic yield of the well, if available; historic water levels for the well, if available; and the reasons the claimant believes that the applicant's withdrawals have caused an adverse impact on the well.

6. The department conducts a technical evaluation of the effects of the proposed withdrawal with the stabilized cumulative effects of all existing lawful withdrawals to identify if the withdrawal will lower water levels in any confined aquifer below a point that represents 80% of the distance between the land surface and the top of the aquifer.

7. The department's technical evaluation demonstrates that the proposed groundwater withdrawal will not result in salt water intrusion or the movement of waters of lower quality to areas where such movement would result in adverse impacts on existing groundwater users or the groundwater resource. This provision shall not exclude the withdrawal of brackish water provided that the proposed withdrawal will not result in unmitigated adverse impacts.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 4, eff. November 14, 2018; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-108. Estimating area of impact for qualifying groundwater withdrawals.

A. For groundwater withdrawals where available information indicates the area of impact for the withdrawal will be less than 12 square miles, the director may estimate, through the use of modeling techniques, the area of impact of a withdrawal for use by the applicant in developing a mitigation plan.

B. The applicant may choose to use the area of impact estimated by the department or the applicant may conduct a geophysical investigation to gather site-specific information to be used as the basis for identifying the area of impact of the withdrawal.

C. The area of impact, whether estimated or identified through an evaluation of a geophysical investigation, shall be included in the permit's mitigation plan if a plan is required by 9VAC25-610-110 D 3 g.

D. Mitigation plans for all surface water and groundwater conjunctive use system permits and supplemental drought relief permits shall address the area of impact associated with the maximum groundwater withdrawal allowed by such permits.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014.

9VAC25-610-110. Evaluation criteria for permit applications.

A. The department shall not issue any permit for more groundwater than will be applied to the proposed beneficial use.

B. The department shall issue groundwater withdrawal permits to persons withdrawing groundwater or who have rights to withdraw groundwater prior to July 1, 1992, in the Eastern Virginia or Eastern Shore Groundwater Management Area and not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 based on the following criteria:

1. The department shall issue a groundwater withdrawal permit for persons meeting the criteria of subdivision 1 of 9VAC25-610-90 for the total amount of groundwater withdrawn in any consecutive 12-month period between July 1, 1987, and June 30, 1992; however, with respect to a political subdivision, an authority serving a political subdivision, or a community waterworks regulated by the Virginia Department of Health, the department shall issue a groundwater withdrawal permit for the total amount of water withdrawn in any consecutive 12-month period between July 1, 1980, and June 30, 1992.

2. The department shall issue a groundwater withdrawal permit for persons meeting the criteria of subdivision 2 of 9VAC25-610-90 for the total amount of groundwater withdrawn and applied to a beneficial use in any consecutive 12-month period between July 1, 1992, and June 30, 1995.

3. The department shall issue a groundwater withdrawal permit for persons meeting the criteria of subdivision 4 of 9VAC25-610-90 for the total amount of groundwater withdrawn in any consecutive 12-month period between July 1, 1983, and June 30, 1993. The department shall evaluate all estimates of groundwater withdrawal based on projected water demands for crops and livestock as published by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, the United States Natural Resources Conservation Service, or other similar references and determine whether the estimates are reasonable. In all cases only reasonable estimates will be used to document a permit limit.

4. The department shall issue a groundwater withdrawal permit for persons meeting the criteria of subdivision 5 of 9VAC25-610-90 for the amount of groundwater withdrawal needed to annually meet human consumption needs as proven in the water conservation and management plan approved by the department. The department shall include conditions in such permits that require the implementation of mandatory use restrictions before such withdrawals can be exercised.

5. When requested by persons described in subdivisions 1, 2, and 4 of 9VAC25-610-90, the department may issue groundwater withdrawal permits that include withdrawal amounts in excess of those that an applicant can support based on historic usage. These additional amounts shall be based on documentation of water savings achieved through water conservation measures. The applicant shall demonstrate withdrawals prior to implementation of water conservation measures, type of water conservation measure implemented, and withdrawals after implementation of water conservation measures. The applicant shall provide evidence of withdrawal amounts through metered withdrawals and estimated amounts shall not be accepted to claim additional withdrawal amounts due to water conservation. Decreases in withdrawal amounts due to production declines, climatic conditions, population declines, or similar events shall not be used as a basis to claim additional withdrawal amounts based on water conservation.

C. The department shall issue groundwater withdrawal permits to persons withdrawing groundwater when a groundwater management area is declared or expanded after July 1, 1992, and not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 based on the following criteria:

1. The department shall issue a groundwater withdrawal permit to nonagricultural users for the total amount of groundwater withdrawn in any consecutive 12-month period during the five years preceding the effective date of the regulation creating or expanding the groundwater management area.

2. The department shall issue a groundwater withdrawal permit to agricultural users for the total amount of groundwater withdrawn in any consecutive 12-month period during the 10 years preceding the effective date of the regulation creating or expanding the groundwater management area. The department shall evaluate all estimates of groundwater withdrawal based on projected water demands for crops and livestock as published by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, the United States Natural Resources Conservation Service, or other similar references and determine whether the estimates are reasonable. In all cases only reasonable estimates will be used to document a permit limit.

3. When requested by the applicant, the department may issue groundwater withdrawal permits that include withdrawal amounts in excess of those that an applicant can support based on historic usage. These additional amounts shall be based on documentation of water savings achieved through water conservation measures. The applicant shall demonstrate withdrawals prior to implementation of water conservation measures, type of water conservation measure implemented, and withdrawals after implementation of water conservation measures. The applicant shall provide evidence of withdrawal amounts through metered withdrawals and estimated amounts shall not be accepted to claim additional withdrawal amounts due to water conservation. Decreases in withdrawal amounts due to production declines, climatic conditions, population declines, or similar events shall not be used as a basis to claim additional withdrawal amounts based on water conservation.

D. The department shall issue groundwater withdrawal permits to persons wishing to initiate a new withdrawal, expand an existing withdrawal, or reapply for a current withdrawal in any groundwater management area who have submitted complete applications and are not excluded from requirements of this chapter by 9VAC25-610-50 based on the following criteria:

1. The applicant shall provide all information required in subdivision 2 of 9VAC25-610-94 prior to the department's determination that an application is complete. The department may require the applicant to provide any information contained in subdivision 3 of 9VAC25-610-94 prior to considering an application complete based on the anticipated impact of the proposed withdrawal on existing groundwater users or the groundwater resource.

2. The department shall perform a technical evaluation to determine the areas of any aquifers that will experience at least one foot of water level declines due to the proposed withdrawal and may evaluate the potential for the proposed withdrawal to cause salt water intrusion into any portions of any aquifers or the movement of waters of lower quality to areas where such movement would result in adverse impacts on existing groundwater users or the groundwater resource. Prior to public notice of a draft permit developed in accordance with the findings of the technical evaluation and at the request of the applicant, the results of the technical evaluation, including all assumptions and input, will be provided to the applicant for review.

3. The department shall issue a groundwater withdrawal permit when it is demonstrated, by a complete application and the department's technical evaluation, to the department's satisfaction that the maximum safe supply of groundwater will be preserved and protected for all other beneficial uses and that the applicant's proposed withdrawal will have no significant unmitigated impact on existing groundwater users or the groundwater resource. In order to ensure that the applicant's proposed withdrawal complies with these requirements, the demonstration shall include compliance with the following criteria:

a. The applicant demonstrates that no other sources of water supply, including reclaimed water, are practicable.

b. The applicant demonstrates that the groundwater withdrawal will originate from the aquifer that contains the lowest quality water that will support the proposed beneficial use.

c. The applicant demonstrates that no pumps or water intake devices are placed lower than the top of the uppermost confined aquifer that a well utilizes as a groundwater source or lower than the bottom of an unconfined aquifer that a well utilizes as a groundwater source in order to prevent dewatering of a confined aquifer, loss of inelastic storage, or damage to the aquifer from compaction.

d. The applicant demonstrates that the amount of groundwater withdrawal requested is the smallest amount of withdrawal necessary to support the proposed beneficial use and that the amount is representative of the amount necessary to support similar beneficial uses when adequate conservation measures are employed.

e. The applicant provides a water conservation and management plan as described in 9VAC25-610-100 and implements the plan as an enforceable condition of the groundwater withdrawal permit.

f. The applicant provides certification by the local governing body that the location and operation of the withdrawing facility is in compliance with all ordinances adopted pursuant to Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia.

g. The department's technical evaluation demonstrates that the area of impact of the proposed withdrawal will remain on property owned by the applicant or that there are no existing groundwater withdrawers within the area of impact of the proposed withdrawal.

(1) The rebuttable presumption that water level declines that cause adverse impacts to existing wells within the area of impact are due to the proposed withdrawal;

(2) A commitment by the applicant to mitigate undisputed adverse impacts due to the proposed withdrawal in a timely fashion;

(3) A speedy, nonexclusive, low-cost process to fairly resolve disputed claims for mitigation between the applicant and any claimant; and

(4) The requirement that the claimant provide documentation that the claimant is the owner of the well; documentation that the well was constructed and operated prior to the initiation of the applicant's withdrawal; the depth of the well, the pump, and screens and any other construction information that the claimant possesses; the location of the well with enough specificity that it can be located in the field; the historic yield of the well, if available; historic water levels for the well, if available; and the reasons the claimant believes that the applicant's withdrawals have caused an adverse impact on the well.

h. The department's technical evaluation demonstrates that the stabilized effects from the proposed withdrawal in combination with the stabilized combined effects of all existing lawful withdrawals will not lower water levels, in any confined aquifer that the withdrawal impacts, below a point that represents 80% of the distance between the land surface and the top of the aquifer. Compliance with the 80% drawdown criteria will be determined at the points where the predicted one-foot drawdown contour is predicted for the proposed withdrawal.

i. The department's technical evaluation demonstrates that the proposed groundwater withdrawal will not result in salt water intrusion or the movement of waters of lower quality to areas where such movement would result in adverse impacts on existing groundwater users or the groundwater resource. This provision shall not exclude the withdrawal of brackish water, provided that the proposed withdrawal will not result in unmitigated adverse impacts.

4. The department shall also take the following factors into consideration when evaluating a groundwater withdrawal permit application or special conditions associated with a groundwater withdrawal permit:

a. The nature of the use of the proposed withdrawal;

b. The public benefit provided by the proposed withdrawal;

c. The proposed use of innovative approaches, such as aquifer storage and recovery systems, surface water and groundwater conjunctive use systems, multiple well systems that blend withdrawals from aquifers that contain different quality groundwater in order to produce potable water, and desalinization of brackish groundwater;

d. Prior public investment in existing facilities for withdrawal, transmission, and treatment of groundwater;

e. Climatic cycles;

f. Economic cycles;

g. The unique requirements of nuclear power stations;

h. Population and water demand projections during the term of the proposed permit;

i. The status of land use and other necessary approvals; and

j. Other factors that the department deems appropriate.

E. When proposed uses of groundwater are in conflict or available supplies of groundwater are not sufficient to support all those who desire to use them, the department shall prioritize the evaluation of applications in the following manner:

1. Applications for human consumption shall be given the highest priority;

2. Should there be conflicts between applications for human consumption, applications will be evaluated in order based on the date that the applications were considered complete; and

3. Applications for all uses, other than human consumption, will be evaluated following the evaluation of proposed human consumption in order based on the date that the applications were considered complete.

F. Criteria for review of reapplications for groundwater withdrawal permit.

1. The department shall consider all criteria in subsection D of this section prior to reissuing a groundwater withdrawal permit. Existing permitted withdrawal amounts shall not be the sole basis for determination of the appropriate withdrawal amounts when a permit is reissued.

2. The department shall reissue a permit to any public water supply user for an annual amount no less than the amount equal to that portion of the permitted withdrawal that was used by the system to support human consumption during 12 consecutive months of the previous term of the permit.

G. The department is authorized to utilize and incorporate comprehensive groundwater, surface water, and aquifer data in permit decisions. Such data may include information relating to water levels, flow rates, and water quality.

Statutory Authority

§§ 62.1-44.15:22 and 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-13-07 § 3.3, eff. September 22, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022; Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. September 25, 2024.

9VAC25-610-120. Public water supplies.

The department shall evaluate all applications for groundwater withdrawals for public water supplies as described in 9VAC25-610-110. The department shall make a preliminary decision on the application and prepare a draft groundwater withdrawal permit and forward the draft permit to the Virginia Department of Health. The department shall not issue a final groundwater withdrawal permit until such time as the Virginia Department of Health issues a waterworks operation permit, or equivalent. The department shall establish withdrawal limits for such permits as described in 9VAC25-610-140 A 4 and 5. Under the Virginia Department of Health's Waterworks Regulation any proposed use of reclaimed, reused, or recycled water contained in a groundwater withdrawal application to support a public water supply is required to be approved by the Virginia Department of Health.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-13-07 § 3.4, eff. September 22, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-130. Conditions applicable to all groundwater permits.

A. Duty to comply. The permittee shall comply with all conditions of the permit. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to relieve the groundwater withdrawal permit holder of the duty to comply with all applicable federal and state statutes and prohibitions. At a minimum, a person must obtain a well construction permit or a well site approval letter from the Virginia Department of Health prior to the construction of any well for any withdrawal authorized by the Department of Environmental Quality. Any permit violation is a violation of the law and is grounds for enforcement action, permit termination, revocation, modification, or denial of a permit application.

B. Duty to cease or confine activity. It shall not be a defense for a permittee in an enforcement action that it would have been necessary to halt or reduce the activity for which a permit has been granted in order to maintain compliance with the conditions of the permit.

C. Duty to mitigate. The permittee shall take all reasonable steps to:

1. Avoid all adverse impacts to lawful groundwater users that could result from the withdrawal; and

2. Where impacts cannot be avoided, provide mitigation of the adverse impact as described in 9VAC25-610-110 D 3 g.

D. Inspection and entry. Upon presentation of credentials, the permittee shall allow the department or any duly authorized agent of the department, at reasonable times and under reasonable circumstances, to conduct actions listed in this section. For the purpose of this section, the time for inspection shall be deemed reasonable during regular business hours. Nothing contained herein shall make an inspection time unreasonable during an emergency.

1. Entry upon any permittee's property, public or private, and have access to, inspect and copy any records that must be kept as part of the permit conditions;

2. Inspect any facilities, operations, or practices (including monitoring and control equipment) regulated or required under the permit; and

3. Sample or monitor any substance, parameter, or activity for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the conditions of the permit or as otherwise authorized by law.

E. Duty to provide information. The permittee shall furnish to the department, within a reasonable time, any information that the department may request to determine whether cause exists for modifying or revoking, reissuing, or terminating the permit or to determine compliance with the permit. The permittee shall also furnish to the department, upon request, copies of records required to be kept by the permittee.

F. Monitoring and records requirements.

1. Monitoring of parameters, other than pollutants, shall be conducted according to approved analytical methods as specified in the permit. Analysis of pollutants will be conducted according to 40 CFR Part 136 as published in the 40 CFR July 1, 2024, update.

2. Samples and measurements taken for the purpose of monitoring shall be representative of the monitored activity.

3. The permittee shall retain records of all monitoring information, including all calibration and maintenance records and all original strip chart or electronic recordings for continuous monitoring instrumentation, copies of all reports required by the permit, and records of all data used to complete the application for the permit, for a period of at least three years from the date of the expiration of a granted permit. This period may be extended by request of the department at any time.

4. Records of monitoring information shall include as appropriate:

a. The date, exact place and time of sampling or measurements;

b. The name of the individuals who performed the sampling or measurements;

c. The date the analyses were performed;

d. The name of the individuals who performed the analyses;

e. The analytical techniques or methods supporting the information such as observations, readings, calculations, and bench data used;

f. The results of such analyses; and

g. Chain of custody documentation.

G. Permit action.

1. A permit may be modified or revoked as set forth in Part VI (9VAC25-610-290 et seq.) of this chapter.

2. If a permittee files a request for permit modification or revocation, or files a notification of planned changes, or anticipated noncompliance, the permit terms and conditions shall remain effective until the department makes a final case decision. This provision shall not be used to extend the expiration date of the effective permit.

3. Permits may be modified or revoked upon the request of the permittee, or upon department initiative, to reflect the requirements of any changes in the statutes or regulations.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-13-07 § 3.5, eff. September 22, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; Volume 34, Issue 19, eff. June 13, 2018; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022; Volume 40, Issue 14, eff. March 27, 2024; Errata, 40:16 VA.R. 1375, March 25, 2024; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 7, eff. December 18, 2024.

9VAC25-610-140. Establishing applicable standards, limitations or other permit conditions.

A. In addition to the conditions established in 9VAC25-610-100, 9VAC25-610-110, 9VAC25-610-120, and 9VAC25-610-130, each permit shall include conditions with the following requirements:

1. A permit shall contain the total depth of each permitted well in feet;

2. A permit shall specify the screened intervals of wells authorized for use by the permit;

3. A permit shall contain the designation of the aquifers to be utilized;

4. A permit shall contain conditions limiting the withdrawal amount of a single well or a group of wells that comprise a withdrawal system to a quantity specified by the department. A permit shall contain a maximum annual withdrawal and a maximum monthly groundwater withdrawal limit;

5. A groundwater withdrawal permit for a public water supply shall contain a condition allowing daily withdrawals at a level consistent with the requirements and conditions contained in the waterworks operation permit, or equivalent, issued by the Virginia Department of Health. This requirement shall not limit the authority of the department to reduce or eliminate groundwater withdrawals by public water suppliers if necessary to protect human health or the environment;

6. The permit shall state that no pumps or water intake devices are to be placed lower than the top of the uppermost confined aquifer that a well utilizes as a groundwater source or lower than the bottom of an unconfined aquifer that a well utilizes as a groundwater source in order to prevent dewatering of a confined aquifer, loss of inelastic storage, or damage to the aquifer from compaction.

7. All permits shall specify monitoring requirements as conditions of the permit.

a. Permitted users who are issued groundwater withdrawal permits based on 9VAC25-610-110 B 3 and C 2 shall install either in-line totalizing flow meters or hour meters that record the hours of operation of withdrawal pumps on each permitted well prior to beginning the permitted use. Flow meters shall produce volume determinations within plus or minus 10% of actual flows. Hour meters shall produce run times within plus or minus 10% of actual run times. Hour meter readings will be multiplied by the maximum capacity of the withdrawal pump to determine withdrawal amounts. A defective meter or other device must be repaired or replaced within 30 days. A defective meter is not grounds for not reporting withdrawals. During any period when a meter is defective, generally accepted engineering methods shall be used to estimate withdrawals and the period during which the meter was defective must be clearly identified in groundwater withdrawal reports. An alternative method for determining flow may be approved by the department on a case-by-case basis.

b. Permitted users who are issued groundwater withdrawal permits based on any section of this chapter not included in subdivision 7 a of this subsection shall install in-line totalizing flow meters to read gallons, cubic feet, or cubic meters on each permitted well prior to beginning the permitted use. Such meters shall produce volume determinations within plus or minus 10% of actual flows. A defective meter or other device must be repaired or replaced within 30 days. A defective meter is not grounds for not reporting withdrawals. During any period when a meter is defective, generally accepted engineering methods shall be used to estimate withdrawals and the period during which the meter was defective must be clearly identified in groundwater withdrawal reports. An alternative method for determining flow may be approved by the department on a case-by-case basis.

c. Permits shall contain requirements concerning the proper use, maintenance and installation, when appropriate, of monitoring equipment or methods when required as a condition of the permit.

d. Permits shall contain required monitoring including type, intervals, and frequency sufficient to yield data which are representative of the monitored activity and including, when appropriate, continuous monitoring and sampling.

e. Each permitted well shall be equipped in a manner such that water levels can be measured during pumping and nonpumping periods without dismantling any equipment. Any opening for tape measurement of water levels shall have an inside diameter of at least 0.5 inches and be sealed by a removable plug or cap. The permittee shall provide a tap for taking raw water samples from each permitted well.

8. All permits shall prohibit withdrawals from wells not authorized in the permit.

9. All permits shall include requirements to report the amount of water withdrawn from each permitted well and well system on forms provided by the department with a frequency dependent on the nature and effect of the withdrawal, but in no case less than once per year.

10. Groundwater withdrawal permits issued under this chapter shall have an effective and expiration date which will determine the life of the permit. Groundwater withdrawal permits shall be effective for a fixed term not to exceed 15 years. Permit duration of less than the maximum period of time may be recommended in areas where hydrologic conditions are changing or are not adequately known. The term of any permit shall not be extended by modification beyond the maximum duration. Extension of permits for the same activity beyond the maximum duration specified in the original permit will require reapplication and issuance of a new permit.

11. Each permit shall have a condition allowing the reopening of the permit for the purpose of modifying the conditions of the permit to meet new regulatory standards duly adopted by the board.

12. Each well that is included in a groundwater withdrawal permit shall have affixed to the well casing, in a prominent place, a permanent well identification plate that records the Department of Environmental Quality well identification number, the groundwater withdrawal permit number, the total depth of the well and the screened intervals in the well, at a minimum. Such well identification plates shall be in a format specified by the department and are available from the Department of Environmental Quality.

B. In addition to the conditions established in 9VAC25-610-100, 9VAC25-610-110, 9VAC25-610-120, 9VAC25-610-130, and subsection A of this section, each permit may include conditions with the following requirements where applicable:

1. A withdrawal limit may be placed on one or more of the wells that constitute a withdrawal system;

2. A permit may contain quarterly, monthly, or daily withdrawal limits or withdrawal limits based on any other frequency as determined by the department;

3. A permit may contain conditions requiring water quality and water levels monitoring at specified intervals in any wells deemed appropriate by the department;

4. A permit may contain conditions specifying water levels and water quality action levels in pumping and observation/monitoring wells to protect against or mitigate water quality levels or aquifer degradation. The department may require permitted users to initiate control measures which include the following:

a. Pumping arrangements to reduce groundwater withdrawal in areas of concentrated pumping;

b. Location of wells to eliminate or reduce groundwater withdrawals near saltwater-freshwater interfaces;

c. Requirement of selective withdrawal from other available aquifers than those presently used or proposed;

d. Selective curtailment, reduction or cessation of groundwater withdrawals to protect the public welfare, safety, or health or to protect the resource;

e. Conjunctive use of freshwater and saltwater aquifers, or waters of less desirable quality where water quality of a specific character is not essential;

f. Construction and use of observation or monitoring wells;

g. Well construction techniques that prohibit the hydraulic connection of aquifers that contain different quality waters, such as gravel packing, that could result in deterioration of water quality in an aquifer; and

h. Such other necessary control or abatement techniques as are practicable to protect and beneficially utilize the groundwater resource.

5. A permit may contain conditions limiting water level declines in pumping wells and observation wells;

6. All permits may include requirements to report water quality and water level information on forms provided by the department with a frequency dependent on the nature and effect of the withdrawal, but in no case less than once per year; and

7. Permits shall require implementation of water conservation and management plans developed to comply with requirements of 9VAC25-610-100.

C. In addition to conditions described in 9VAC25-610-130 and subsections A and B of this section, the department may issue any groundwater withdrawal permit with any terms, conditions and limitations necessary to protect the public welfare, safety, and health or to protect the resource.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-13-07 § 3.6, eff. September 22, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; amended, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 4, eff. November 14, 2018; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-150. Signatory requirements.

A. Application. Any application for a permit under this chapter must bear the applicant's signature or the signature of a person acting in the applicant's behalf with the authority to bind the applicant. Electronic submittals containing the original signature page, such as that contained in a scanned document file, are acceptable.

B. Reports. All reports required by permits and other information requested by the department shall be signed by:

1. The permittee; or

2. A duly authorized representative of that person. A person is a duly authorized representative only if:

a. The authorization is made in writing to the department by a person described in subsection A of this section; and

b. The authorization specifies either an individual or a position having responsibility for the overall operation of the regulated withdrawal system or activity, such as the position of plant manager, superintendent, or position of equivalent responsibility. A duly authorized representative may thus be either a named individual or any individual occupying a named position.

If an authorization is no longer accurate because a different individual or position has responsibility for the overall operation of the facility, a new authorization must be submitted to the department prior to or together with any separate information, or applications to be signed by an authorized representative.

C. Certification of application and reports. Any person signing a document under subsection A or B of this section shall make the following certification: I certify under penalty of law that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system or those persons directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is to the best of my knowledge and belief true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information including the possibility of fine and imprisonment for knowing violations.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-13-07 § 3.7, eff. September 22, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC25-610-160. Draft permit.

A. Upon receipt of a complete application for a new or expanded withdrawal or a complete application to modify an existing withdrawal, the department shall make a tentative decision to issue or deny the permit. If a tentative decision is to issue the permit then a draft permit shall be prepared in advance of public notice. The following tentative determinations shall be incorporated into a draft permit:

1. Conditions, withdrawal limitations, standards and other requirements applicable to the permit;

2. Monitoring and reporting requirements;

3. Requirements for mitigation of adverse impacts; and

4. Requirements for a water conservation and management plan.

B. If the tentative decision is to deny the permit, the department shall do so in accordance with 9VAC25-610-340.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-256 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-13-07 § 3.8, eff. September 22, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 15, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 1999; Volume 30, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2014; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

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