Purcellville moves to update town code for industrial PFAS sampling and reporting

Purcellville staff told the town council July 28 that the Virginia General Assembly enacted laws requiring monitoring and reporting of certain industrial PFAS discharges and that local code updates are needed to implement the new program. Andrea Broshkovich said the updates to Chapter 82, Article 3, Division 3 will give the town authority to request information from industrial users, require quarterly PFAS monitoring for identified facilities and incorporate enforcement measures and cost-recovery fees into the master tax and fee schedule.

Broshkovich said DEQ is still finalizing program details and that sampling could begin as early as October 2026. Staff plans to send letters to identified industrial users by July 31 and recommended scheduling a public hearing in September; the council directed staff to advertise the hearing and to provide revisions to the master tax and fee schedule. Council members pressed staff on scope and staffing, with staff estimating only a small number of businesses (about two at present) would be required to test but noting the program could expand and require more staff time.