Fully half of Virginia is drained by Chesapeake Bay rivers, and two-thirds of the state's population lives within the Bay watershed. From the farm fields of the Shenandoah Valley to the pinewoods of the Eastern Shore, for most Virginians the Bay is as close as the nearest creek or stream.

STORMWATER: New Runoff Regulations Can Make a Difference

Virginia Can Stop Polluted Runoff

Rainwater falling on our rooftops, yards, streets, and parking lots can cause big pollution problems.

Take Action

Learn more about stormwater.

Get the facts about Virginia's new stormwater regulations

Find out what stormwater runoff is doing to human health.Read CBF's report: Bad Water 2009: Its Impact on Human Health in the Chesapeake Bay Region

Join Virginia's Mud Buster program

Learn more ways you can help.

Often the water quickly runs off into gutters, storm drains, and culverts, sweeping up chemicals, dirt, bacteria, and litter as it goes. Typically, this stew of polluted runoff ends up in local streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay, where it hurts water quality and water life.

Virginia has approved new statewide rules that, if implemented, will reduce the amount of polluted runoff from newly constructed buildings around the state. The new stormwater regulations represent a pragmatic, attainable, and equitable means for Virginia to meet its obligations to restore water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and local waterways and ensure that clean water and economic development can better coexist in the future.

CBF strongly supports the new rules and will oppose threatened efforts to oppose them during the 2010 Virginia General Assembly.

To learn more about the regulations, read our fact sheet. You can also read what others have said about the regulations.

Additionally, you can do your part to reduce runoff pollution—and cut household costs, too. Here's how.