Unlike the past, residents along the Occoquan should hear the dam siren test

OCCOQUAN — A loud noise is expected to rattle residents along the Occoquan River.

Fairfax Water will test the Occoquan Dam Siren from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Residents, they say, shouldn’t be concerned.

These sirens are in place as a safety measure in case the dam ever fails or is severely damaged. Tests of the siren system have been conducted regularly since it was first installed in 2012; however, unlike the upcoming Nov. 14 test, residents couldn’t hear these tests.

“The Nov. 14 diagnostic test is required to ensure functionality of the updated communications system,” said Susan Miller, Fairfax Water public affairs manager. “It is part of an educational campaign to create awareness by residents and business owners about the presence of the siren system.”

Anyone who lives next to the Occoquan River between Belmont Bay and the Town of Occoquan is considered “in the impact zone.” Those in the “impact zone” must immediately evacuate to higher ground if the dam ever breaks down.

Some people may be able to hear the siren even if they are not in affected areas. Below is a map of affected areas.

Sirens are a very outdated way of sending out a warning; however, sometimes older techniques work.

“When we worked with the communities closest to the dam, namely the Town of Occoquan, it was the Town’s feeling that a siren system would be the most effective and desired form of communication to alert people in the extremely unlikely event of a dam failure,” Miller said.

In addition to the siren alert system, residents and businesses can choose to receive alerts on their phones as well. To sign up for text alerts, people can go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/alerts or www.pwcgov.org/pwcan.

Not only is this text alert system a precaution against dam failure, but it also provides weather, traffic, and general county news.