Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

Responsible for administering laws and regulations related to air quality, water quality, water supply, renewable energy and land protection, DEQ is the primary environmental permitting agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Through the work of nearly 800 employees at six regional offices across the state and the Central Office in Richmond, DEQ issues permits, conducts monitoring and inspections, and enforces the law. Virginia’s abundant natural resources provide a rich environment for people, plants and wildlife...and benefit agriculture, industry, commerce and economic development. To ensure the continued vitality of these precious and valuable resources, DEQ carries out its mission to protect and improve the environment for the health, well-being and quality of life of all Virginians. Regulating pollution is complex. Pollution can travel long distances and affect residents in communities far from where the pollution was created. DEQ’s programs cover a wide variety of other activities, such as assisting businesses and local government agencies to go “above and beyond” regulations, encouraging volunteer actions and offering technical and financial support for improvements to our air and water. Meeting Virginia’s environmental challenges is a collective effort that involves communities, businesses, educators, government agencies and you. Every day, DEQ works to strengthen these relationships to underscore the important role everyone plays in protecting and enhancing our environment. DEQ's Mission is to protect and enhance the environment of Virginia in order to promote the health and well-being of the Commonwealth's citizens, residents, and visitors in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. DEQ's Vision is that all Virginians enjoy cleaner water, better air quality and the productive reuse of land that was once contaminated. DEQ's Values can be summarized by these seven Cs: **Commitment:** We are committed to support our DEQ team members, and the mission and vision of the agency. **Collaboration:** We work together -- and with the community -- to accomplish our tasks. **Consistency:** We apply laws and regulations and provide public services uniformly throughout the Commonwealth. **Customer Service:** We evaluate and solve problems professionally, courteously and responsively with citizens, the regulated community and our colleagues. **Communication:** We provide clear, consistent, effective communications. **Certainty:** We provide clear, accurate, and timely information and evaluation. **Closure:** We follow through to resolve issues effectively and on time.