The City of Alexandria's Contaminated Lands Program oversees the prevention, mitigation, and remediation (if needed) of contaminated lands within the city. The City has incorporated language into the City's Zoning Ordinance that requires contaminated sites to be remediated as part of the development process. The Zoning Ordinance requires contaminated sites to be identified as part of the preliminary site plan submittal, while the final site plan must include plans indicating how the site will be remediated.

For more information on the City's review process, click here. 

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) Voluntary Remediation Program

VDEQ has a Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) that allows for owners of contaminated sites that are not regulated under any of the programs or predates any regulations, to remediate those sites. The VRP consists of six key elements including: 1) a determination of eligibility; 2) submittal of registration fee; 3) report submittals including a site characterization, documentation of public notice, remedial action work plan and demonstration of completion report; 4) establishment of remediation goals based on current and/or future land use; 5) public participation to provide a forum for affected residents; and 6) a Certification of Satisfactory Completion documenting that the cleanup standards have been achieved. View the VRP process here. 

Several sites in the City have entered into this program some are complete others are on going.

Petroleum Storage Tank Program Administered by VDEQ

The Petroleum Storage Tank Program regulates most large underground storage tanks in Virginia and the City. Gas stations are the most common source of these tanks in the City. This program requires that the tanks be maintained to prevent leakage and, if it has been confirmed that tanks have resulted in a release to the environment, VDEQ requires the site to be remediated. There are cases in the City where tanks have leaked and the VDEQ has required remediation. View the Petroleum Program process here. 

Illegal Dumping

The City also has an Environmental Offenses Ordinance prohibiting illegal dumping or discharges to the sewer systems, streams, or on the ground etc. To assist in administering and enforcing this ordinance and to better investigate these type of releases, the City created an Environmental Industrial Unit, which meets monthly with representatives from the Police, Fire, T&ES, Code Enforcement and Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.

City's Contaminated Land Projects

The City of Alexandria continues to address environmental concerns associated with the Alexandria Town Gas – Oronoco site (ATG-Oronoco). Please visit the Oronoco Remediation Project webpage for more information.