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SB 138

PFAS monitoring; DEQ to require for industrial wastewater source, publicly owned treatment works.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeremy McPike and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia requires DEQ to mandate PFAS monitoring in industrial wastewater and treatment plants to detect and track contamination from persistent toxic chemicals.

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
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Bill Summary · SB 138

Legislative bill overview

SB 138 mandates that Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) establish and enforce monitoring requirements for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in wastewater discharged from industrial sources and publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). The bill requires regular testing and reporting of these "forever chemicals" that persist in the environment and accumulate in human tissue.

Why is this important

PFAS contamination poses documented health risks including immune system suppression, thyroid disease, and potential cancer links. These chemicals are widely used in industrial manufacturing, firefighting foam, and consumer products, making wastewater a significant source of environmental and drinking water contamination. Mandatory monitoring establishes baseline data and accountability, enabling regulators to identify pollution sources and protect public health.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: Industrial facilities and treatment plants will incur expenses for testing equipment, lab analysis, and reporting infrastructure, potentially passed to ratepayers or consumers
  • PFAS standards ambiguity: The bill requires monitoring but doesn't specify enforceable discharge limits, creating uncertainty about what constitutes violation and remediation responsibility
  • Scope limitations: Focuses only on industrial wastewater and POTWs, potentially missing PFAS from smaller commercial sources, agricultural runoff, and landfill leachate that also contaminate water supplies

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

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