Public Notice – Environmental Permit
Public Notice – Environmental Permit
PURPOSE OF NOTICE: To seek public comment and announce a public hearing on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that will allow the release of treated wastewater into a water body in Madison County, Virginia.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: January 22, 2026, to March 17, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING: The Board Auditorium located within the Administration Building at 414 N Main Street, Madison VA 22727 on March 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., and will end when public comment is complete or 8:30 p.m., whichever is earlier.
INCLEMENT WEATHER DATE: In the event of inclement weather on March 2, 2026 as determined by closure of County Public Schools, the public hearing will be held at The Board Auditorium located within the Administration Building at 414 N Main Street, Madison, VA 22727 on March 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., and will end when public comment is complete or 8:30 p.m., whichever is earlier.
PURPOSE OF HEARING: To obtain input from the public related to the draft permit for DEQ’s consideration.
INFORMATION BRIEFING: The Board Auditorium located within the Administration Building at 414 N Main Street, Madison VA 22727 on March 2, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
PERMIT NAME: Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit – Municipal Wastewater. Issued by DEQ, pursuant to applicable water laws and regulations.
APPLICANT NAME, ADDRESS AND PERMIT NUMBER: Oak Grove Mennonite Church; 1776 Elly Rd, Aroda, VA US 22709; VA0063347
FACILITY NAME AND LOCATION: Mountain View Nursing Home; 1776 Elly Road, Aroda, VA 22709
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Oak Grove Mennonite Church has applied for reissuance of a permit for the private Mountain View Nursing Home. The applicant proposes to release treated wastewaters at a rate of 15,000 gallons per day into a water body. Sludge from the treatment process will be disposed of via pump-and-haul contractor to the Gordonsville Sewage Treatment Plant. The facility proposes to release the treated wastewater in an unnamed tributary to Great Run in Madison County in the Rappahannock watershed. A watershed is the land area drained by a river and its incoming streams. The permit will limit the following pollutants to amounts that protect water quality: physical and chemical properties, nutrients, organic matter, solids, bacteria and inorganics.
ISSUES RAISED BY PUBLIC: The previous public comment period was from October 30, 2025, to December 1, 2025. The comments received at that time were related to requests to ensure the wastewater treatment plant is effectively operated and the permit discharge remains in compliance with permitted water quality limitations.
HOW TO COMMENT: DEQ accepts comments by hand-delivery, e-mail, or postal mail. All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by DEQ during the comment period. DEQ must receive hand-delivery and postal mail by close of business and email comments by 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the comment period. Submittals must include the names, mailing addresses or email addresses of the commenter/requester and of all persons represented by the commenter/requester. DEQ also accepts written and oral comments at public hearings. To make a statement at a public hearing, write your name on a sign-up sheet available before the hearing. You may sign up only for yourself. The time allowed for each statement is set by the hearing officer. The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ office named below.
CONTACT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOCUMENT REQUESTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Name: Ben Cunningham Address: DEQ-Central Office, 1111 East Main St. Suite 1400, Richmond, VA 23219 Phone: (804) 659-2686 Email: Benjamin.Cunningham@deq.virginia.gov or NRO.VPDESPermits@deq.virginia.gov
Read Official Public Notice.