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  2. Water Quality Criteria

Bioassessment and Biocriteria Program Status for Virginia: Streams and Wadeable Rivers

Related Information

Information on Bioassessment and Biocriteria Programs for Streams and Wadeable Rivers

State Program Contact

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality


Water Quality Standards

WQS Information

The link to Virginia's WQS that are in effect for Clean Water Act purposes is provided. These are the WQS approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

  • Water Quality Standards Regulations: Virginia

The state of Virginia provided information and links to sections of their administrative code on designated aquatic life use, biological criteria, antidegradation as well as technical support documents and information on its bioassessment and biocriteria programs. These are included for your convenience and may or may not reflect the most recently EPA-approved WQS. 

  • Water Quality Standards

Designated Aquatic Life Uses

Virginia has a general aquatic life designated use 9VAC25-260-10.A. Virginia has seven classes of waters; open ocean, estuarine waters, non tidal waters in the piedmont and coastal zone, mountainous zone waters, stockable trout waters, natural trout waters, swamp waters. Aquatic life use is assessed using two different multimetric based macroinvertebrate indices; one index used in the piedmont and mountain- valley, and a different index used for the coastal plain. 

Biological Criteria

  • __X__ Narrative statement
  • _____ Numeric
  • _____ No criteria

Virginia's general criteria is applicable to all state waters as described in 9VAC25-260-20.

Antidegradation Policy

Use of biocriteria or bioassessment not included in antidegradation policy.


Biological Assessment

What biological assemblages are used in the bioassessment program?
Benthic macroinvertebrates

Are bioassessments used to support 303(d) listings?
Yes. Listing methodology: 2024 Water Quality Assessment Guidance

How are assemblages used to make impairment decisions?
Benthic macroinvertebrates used to make impairment decisions as described in the above document.

Other uses of biocriteria or bioassessment within the water quality program:
Refining ALU, TMDL development and assessment, non-point source assessments, 305(b) surface water condition assessments, and restoration goals


Technical Support Information and Documents

Reference condition

VDEQ uses 2-step process to identify least disturbed sites that are used in setting the assessment score. VDEQ runs the stations through a ‘reference filter’ (which changes by ecoregion) and then the biologist reviews the sites that make it through the filter to ensure the site fits into the least disturbed category.

Technical reference material

  • The Virginia Coastal Plane Macroinvertebrate Index (pdf)
  • A Stream Condition Index for Virginia Non-Coastal Streams (pdf)
  • Using Probabilistic Data to Validate Virginia’s Non-Coastal Stream Condition Index (pdf)

Biocriteria

Development of biocriteria involves the collection and interpretation of biological data –e.g. benthic macroinvertebrates, fish, and periphyton. During this process entities typically use biological metrics (usually aggregated into a multimetric index) and/or multivariate analysis to assess whether a waterbody is meeting its designated aquatic life use(s). The reference materials include standard operation procedures used in data collection, compilation, technical approaches used to develop biocriteria as well as its implementation procedures.

Technical reference material

  • The Virginia Coastal Plane Macroinvertebrate Index (pdf)
  • A Stream Condition Index for Virginia Non-Coastal Streams (pdf)
  • Using Probabilistic Data to Validate Virginia’s Non-Coastal Stream Condition Index (pdf)

Stressor identification/causal analysis approach

VDEQ has a standing workgroup of biologists and TMDL coordinators that reviews stressor analysis documents when necessary. Major stressor parameters are collected at listed benthic sites. 

Technical reference material

  • Findings and Recommendations from the Self-Evaluation of the VADEQ Biological Monitoring Program

Water Quality Criteria

  • Aquatic Life Criteria Table
  • Human Health Criteria Table
  • Human Health Toxics Criteria and Methods
  • Recreational Criteria and Methods
  • Aquatic Life Toxics Criteria and Methods
  • Nutrient Water Quality Criteria
  • Biological Water Quality Criteria
  • Other Aquatic Life Water Quality Resources
Contact Us about Water Quality Criteria
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on January 22, 2025
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