Opinion
Join Wild Virginia for an online program this Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. to oppose permits drafted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that would allow releases of dangerous per- and polyfluoroalky substances (PFAS) to state waters. We will be calling on DEQ to hold public hearings to give residents and water users a better chance to share their opinions and concerns about these threats to our environment and our communities. And we will insist that the permits include monitoring for PFAS and limitations to stop known PFAS releases.
One permit under review is supposed to control polluted stormwater from Fort Belvoir that is discharged to Accotink Creek and other tributaries to the Potomac River. The U.S. Army has found serious contamination of land and water by PFAS in and around its facilities. Those findings make it essential that DEQ impose stringent requirements to protect Virginians. So far, DEQ has failed to even address the known PFAS sources in its draft permit - let alone enforce the law to stop the discharges.
The other permit would allow pollutants to be discharged from a municipal wastewater treatment plant owned by the Arlington County Water Pollution Control Bureau. Data collected by the plant's owners show that dangerous levels of PFAS have been discharged to Four Mile Run, another tributary to the Potomac River. As with the Fort Belvoir permit, DEQ has refused to acknowledge the problem or live up to its legal duty to stop the pollution.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/commenting-writing-party-oppose-permits-allowing-discharges-of-pfas-tickets-1247356790739?aff=ebdsoporgprofile