Polluted Waters Still Outnumber Clean in Virginia
The Va. DEQ has released its latest assessment of water quality in the state. High quality water in many areas is still years away.
The so-called 'Dirty Waters List' added 1400 miles of streams and rivers and 2500 acres of lakes to the polluted list and removed 430 waters now considered safe.
Hayden: We continue to find pollution where we haven't looked before.
DEQ's Bill Hayden:
Hayden: We're seeing one persistent problem and that's bacteria pollution that's affecting the James River and the tributaries of the James.
The bacteria, he says, comes from urban development, parking lots, streets, combined water sewer systems in the city; and from farms in the country.
Hayden: The next thing is to find out exactly where the pollution is coming from. It can take a few years to do that.
DEQ Director David Paylor says while water quality is improving in more areas, Virginia still needs to develop about 1200 clean-up plans.
Post new comment