Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 22, 1992 TAG: 9201220321
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
TOUGHER WATER RULES PROPOSED
Fish and folks may breathe a little easier under proposed tough standards for state water quality, but industries and localities may get stuck with the bill.The State Water Control Board, as required by law, is reviewing water quality standards for streams and rivers in Virginia.
Under proposed changes written this year, "Virginia would be providing protection to aquatic life and human health as has never before been available," according to a memo from the office of the board's executive director, Richard Burton.
But it could cost about $700 million to upgrade water treatment plants and other dischargers, and up to $90 million in yearly operating costs.
"There is a possibility of several plant closures due to the regulations," according to the memo.
Municipal, industrial and other private dischargers would be affected.
The board has scheduled an informational meeting - the second of three around the state - for tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Room 110 of Randolph Hall at Virginia Tech.
The major impact for Southwest Virginia would be on trout streams, said the water board's regional supervisor, Will Estes.
"They're looking at endangered species, which we seem to have a lot of running around in the Roanoke River basin," Estes said.
The Roanoke logperch and orangefin madtom are among the endangered or rare species that would benefit from the changes, which sharply limit the amount of toxic pollutants that could be dumped in Virginia waters.
There are streams in the New River basin that support trout, Estes said, "but there are probably not many dischargers."
Virginia has about 360 river miles suitable for endangered or threatened species, and more than 1,500 stream miles of the highest quality trout streams.
Reducing the toxic stress on these waters would benefit commercial and recreational fishing industries, the board's memo said.
The amendments would also reclassify Virginia streams according to water quality, which would prohibit some dischargers from increasing the amount of effluent unless they showed a necessity for economic or social development.
The proposed changes are similar to federal standards, Estes said, with some exceptions where Virginia has unique situations.
The last comprehensive review of water quality standards in Virginia was in 1987.
Public hearings on the regulations will be held around the state in February. The closest ones are:
Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at the University of Virginia, Southwest Center, classrooms 1 and 2, on U.S. 19 North in Abingdon.
Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Lynchburg Public Library community meeting room at 2315 Memorial Drive in Lynchburg.