Provide Input on Plans to Improve the Water Quality of the Southern Rivers Watershed

The Southern Rivers Watershed is one of the primary watersheds of the City of Virginia Beach. Development and other human activities in the Southern Rivers Watershed resulted in increased phosphorus loading into the local waterways, which contributes to impaired water quality. Impaired water quality negatively impacts us all, including recreation, fish and wildlife. Also, many businesses depend on the resources of the local waterways.

What does TMDL mean?

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) established a requirement called the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for all localities in Virginia, including Virginia Beach, to reduce the amount of polluting nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, that enter the local waterways.

This draft document is an update to the City’s Local TMDL Action Plan, which spells out activities the City plans to implement to meet the TMDL requirements from DEQ and reduce pollution to the local waterways, such as Ashville Bridge Creek, North Landing River, Northwest River and Pocaty River. Plans include activities such as:

• Evaluation of existing stormwater management facilities
• Street sweeping
• Catch basin and inlet cleaning
• Land use changes

Provide Your Input

Community members have the opportunity to review the plan and share their thoughts. Your feedback will help guide the City in finalizing the plan and implementing the projects.

The survey closed on June 1, 2025. Thank you to all who participated and shared their input.