Water Quality Academic Research Group
April 23rd, 2026 - Students in FREC's foundational field skills class measure stream flow and stream health at Poverty Creek. Kevin McGuire from the Water Center led this session. (Photo by Luke Hayes/Virginia Tech)
The Virginia General Assembly in the 1997 Water Quality Monitoring, Information and Restoration Act (WQMIR) directed the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to develop the EPA-required 303(d) and 305(b) reports in consultation with experts from the state’s universities.
To fulfill these academic consultation requirements, the DEQ asked the Virginia Water Resources Research Center (VWRRC) to organize and coordinate a statewide group of university-based water quality experts to support the agency’s work. This group was originally known as the Academic Advisory Committee (AAC); in 2026, it was renamed the Academic Research Group (ARG) to better reflect its collaborative research role with DEQ. The ARG reviews and evaluates the scientific merits of the DEQ’s existing and evolving water quality assessment procedures for the 305(b) and 303 (d) reports.
Kevin McGuire, Chair – Virginia Tech
Paul Bukaveckas – VCU
Cayelan Carey - Virginia Tech
Frederick Chang - UVA
Grace Chiu - UVA
Sally Entrekin - Virginia Tech
Greg Garman – VCU
Erin Hotchkiss - Virginia Tech
Admin Husic - Virginia Tech
Ashleigh Kirker - Virginia Tech
Daniel McLaughlin – Virginia Tech
Len Smock – VCU
Meredith Steele - Virginia Tech
Kurt Stephenson - Virginia Tech
Jane Walker – Virginia Tech
Reports
- 2025 – AAC Report 2025 – Microcystin Project -- Phase 3
- 2024 – AAC Report 2024 – Microcystin Project -- Phase 2
- 2023 – AAC Report 2023 – Microcystin Project -- Phase 1
- 2026 – ARG Report 2026 – Wadeable Streams
- 2016 – AAC Report 2016 – Wadeable Streams
- 2014 – Lessons from Florida’s Experience Developing Numeric Nutrient Standards for Flowing Waters
- 2012 – Technical and Policy Considerations and Options in Assessing Nutrient Stresses on Freshwater Streams in VA
- 2012 – AAC Report 2012 – Wadeable Streams
- 2010 – AAC Report 2010– Wadeable Streams, Non-Wadeable Streams (Phase IV) & Downstream Loading
- 2009
– AAC Report 2009 – Wadeable Streams
– AAC Report 2009 – Non-Wadeable Streams (Phase III) - 2008 – AAC Progress Report – Non-Wadeable Streams (Phase II)
- 2007
– AAC Report December 2006 – Wadeable Streams & Downstream Loading
– ACC Progress Report – Non-Wadeable Streams (Phase I) - 2006
– AAC Report 2006
– Literature Review - 2005 – AAC Report 2005
- 2004 – AAC Report 2004
- 2020 – AAC 2020 Report; Appendices A-E (Excel spreadsheet)
- 2019 – AAC 2019 Report; erratum to AAC 2019 Report (Appendix H)
- 2017 – AAC 2017 Report
- 2016 – AAC 2016 Addendum Report
- 2016 – AAC 2016 Report
- 2015 – AAC 2015 Report
- 2014 – AAC 2014 Report
- 2013 – AAC 2013 Report
- 2012 – AAC 2012 Report
- 2026 – Genus-Level Virginia SCI in the Non-Coastal Areas of Virginia
- 2022 – PFAS Monitoring Options to Evaluate Virginia’s Surface Waters
- 2020 – Water Quality Assessment Procedures for Virginia: Dissolved Oxygen Assessment of Lakes and Reservoirs
- 2019 – Emerging Contaminants in the Waters of Virginia
- 2015 – Using Single Sample Information to Evaluate Criteria for Waterbody Health Risk