WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 473

Occoquan Reservoir; low-flow protections for drinking water safe yield.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dave Marsden

Virginia bill establishing minimum flow protections for Occoquan Reservoir to safeguard drinking water supply during low-water periods and droughts.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB473)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 473

Legislative bill overview

SB 473 establishes low-flow protection requirements for the Occoquan Reservoir to ensure adequate drinking water safe yield during periods of low water availability. The bill modifies how Virginia manages water withdrawals from this critical reservoir, which supplies drinking water to a significant portion of Northern Virginia. It appears designed to prevent over-extraction that could compromise public water supply reliability during droughts or low-precipitation periods.

Why is this important

The Occoquan Reservoir is a vital water source for hundreds of thousands of residents in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, and climate variability increasingly threatens water security. Establishing minimum flow protections directly impacts public health, municipal water system planning, and the ability of water utilities to serve growing populations. The bill also affects competing water users including industrial operations and agricultural interests who depend on reservoir withdrawals.

Potential points of contention

  • Economic impact on water-dependent industries: Stricter low-flow protections may limit withdrawals for manufacturing, power generation, or other commercial operations relying on Occoquan water, increasing their costs or requiring alternative sources
  • Agricultural and irrigation concerns: Farmers and agricultural operations may face restrictions on irrigation access during critical growing seasons if low-flow thresholds are implemented stringently
  • Definition and enforcement of "safe yield": Disagreement likely exists over what constitutes adequate safe yield, how it's calculated, and which agencies enforce compliance versus competing jurisdictional claims over water management

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.