- A new state report warns that groundwater supplies serving Hampton Roads in eastern Virginia could start declining again within the next five to 10 years if current trends continue.
A new state report is raising concerns about the future of groundwater across eastern Virginia, warning that supplies serving Hampton Roads could begin declining again within the next five to 10 years if current trends continue.
The report, released by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), examines the Potomac Aquifer System, the underground water source that provides drinking water for much of eastern Virginia. While groundwater regulations helped slow declining water levels over the last decade, DEQ projects those gains could be reversed without additional action.
According to the report, industrial users account for the largest share of groundwater withdrawals, followed by private wells. As demand continues to grow, experts say less groundwater is available for communities, businesses and the environment…