Loudoun seeks comments on plan for reducing pollutants in waterways

Loudoun County is seeking public comments on a draft plan for reducing pollutants entering three local waterways: Bull Run, Goose Creek and Sugarland Run.

Loudoun County’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requires the development and implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) action plans designed to reduce the amount of pollutants entering impaired streams that have been assigned a wasteload allocation by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s State Water Control Board. 

A WLA represents the total amount of pollutants allocated to a specific source.  A TMDL establishes the maximum amount of a pollutant that can enter a water body without violating water quality standards. Loudoun County has been assigned WLAs for sediment (Goose Creek and Bull Run) and bacteria (Bull Run and Sugarland Run). 

The county must update the existing Local TMDL Action Plan within 18 months of the DEQ’s General VPDES permit dated November 1, 2023. The plan provides an update on the actions that Loudoun County has achieved to date for the local WLAs and outlines best management practices that are planned to meet future TMDL goals.

The deadline to submit comments on the plan is April 15, 2025. The draft plan is online at loudoun.gov/StormwaterPlan. Comments can be directed to the Stormwater Management Program
by email at stormwater@loudoun.gov or by phone at 703-777-0117.

More information about Loudoun County’s Stormwater Management Program, including the MS4 permit and regulations, may be found at loudoun.gov/stormwater.