As Prince William County grows, officials highlight the need for new water sources to meet future demand. A primary concern is the expansion of data centers, which have become a significant consumer of water.
Calvin Farr, General Manager of Prince William Water, explained the county’s projected water needs: "We have dynamic hydraulic models we look at, really, to see if we can handle the additional growth. And if we don't, we identify capital needs. At that point, we put that in our master plan for capital needs that, you know, that is needed to supply additional growth."
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The City of Manassas is facing a potential threat to its future water supply, as the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has initiated a review of the city’s water withdrawal permits from Lake Manassas. The DEQ is evaluating whether to rescind the city’s grandfathered rights, which have long allowed Manassas to withdraw water under older, less restrictive conditions.
A change in the city’s withdrawal permit could significantly impact its ability to meet future water needs. City officials, during a recent council meeting, expressed concerns about the DEQ’s review and stressed the urgent need for action.
The council urged staff to engage with the DEQ and state legislators to prevent any changes to the withdrawal rights that could negatively affect the city’s water supply. Losing or reducing the city’s withdrawal capacity would have “a dramatic negative impact” on the city’s ability to provide for its residents in the future, said Interim City Manager Doug Keen.
Although no specific timeline has been provided, the city is working to advocate its position ahead of any final decision from the DEQ. Officials hope that communicating the potential consequences can ensure that Manassas’ interests are considered during the review process.
Depending on the complexity of the environmental assessments and legislative input, the DEQ’s decision could take several months or longer.
The Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water and the Rapidan Service Authority issued a continued “Do Not Use Water Advisory” for the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant. The advisory, first implemented on August 21, is still in effect following reports of an unknown odor in the drinking water.
Despite extensive testing and sampling by a VELAP-certified private lab, the cause of the odor has not been identified, and no harmful contaminants have been detected. The odor is noted to be dissipating, but the advisory will remain until it is sufficiently reduced or eliminated. The Rapidan Service Authority is actively working to address and mitigate the odor.
In addition to the water advisory, a swimming advisory is also in place. Continued daily sampling is planned to monitor the situation. The advisories may be reconsidered if results consistently meet federal standards and the odor issue is resolved.
Fredericksburg City and Spotsylvania County, downstream users of the Rapidan River, are not currently affected by this issue. The Motts Run Water Treatment Plant, which serves these areas, has switched to using water from the Motts Run Reservoir exclusively while the investigation continues.
Residents of Orange County, directly impacted by the advisory, are being provided with alternative water and showering facilities. Updates are available on the Rapidan Service Authority’s website, with further information expected on August 24.
