In 2008, Virginia listed Grease Creek as impaired for swimming. 16 years later, DEQ cleared it from the impaired list after watershed BMPs restored water quality in 2024

Grease Creek in Virginia has finally escaped a problem that followed it for 16 years. The creek was listed as impaired for swimming in 2008 after tests found elevated E. coli levels. Now, Virginia’s latest water-quality assessment shows a different picture. Watershed best management practices helped reduce pollution, allowing the 10.74-mile creek to meet recreational water standards and leave the impaired-waters list.