# Virginia SB473: Occoquan Reservoir; low-flow protections for drinking water safe yield.

Virginia SB473, Occoquan Reservoir; low-flow protections for drinking water safe yield., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by David W. Marsden (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2026-02-10 (Continued to 2027 in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (12-Y 0-N)) (as of 2026-10-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB473-2026
- As of: 2026-10-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB473
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Occoquan Reservoir; low-flow protections for drinking water safe yield.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-13
- Last action: 2026-02-10, Continued to 2027 in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (12-Y 0-N)
- Sponsor: David W. Marsden (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (12 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Occoquan Reservoir; low-flow protections for drinking water safe yield. Requires any Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit issued after July 1, 2026, authorizing the diversion of sewage or reclaimed water from a publicly owned treatment works for reuse that would otherwise discharge into the Occoquan Reservoir, the Occoquan River, Bull Run, or any of their tributaries above the Occoquan Reservoir to incorporate certain low-flow protection requirements for drinking water safe yield if the total diversion amount allowed by the permit exceeds 500,000 gallons per day. The bill also prohibits the issuance of any Virginia Water Protection Permit after July 1, 2026, authorizing the withdrawal of water for consumptive uses from the Occoquan Reservoir, the Occoquan River, Bull Run, or any of their tributaries above the Occoquan Reservoir for any purpose other than agricultural or irrigation purposes or for continued operation, expansion, or relocation of existing public water supply withdrawals.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: David W. Marsden (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-10 | Senate | Continued to 2027 in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources | pass | 12 | 0 |   |

## Actions (4)

- 2026-02-10: Continued to 2027 in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (12-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB473) (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (Senate)
- 2026-01-13: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103794D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2026-01-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090410.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090409.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090410.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1090409.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB473-2026 (as of 2026-10-11).