Fairfax Water will test the Occoquan Dam Siren warning system on Wednesday, November 20, at 10 a.m. The sirens are intended to alert people near the Occoquan River to seek higher ground in case of a dam failure.
Press Release from the Town of Occoquan:
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Virginia Mercury: “Virginia’s State Water Control Board amended regulations last week that will require local governments in the same river basin to work together in crafting plans for water supply and use.”
“Previously, the state allowed local governments to choose whether they wanted to submit such plans independently or work with other localities in a regional approach. Plans must include existing water sources, water use and environmental conditions, any actions being taken to manage water supply and drought response plans, among other information.”
Crews will be blasting near Occoquan between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Residents will hear horns blowing.
Mayor Earnie Porta says:
The construction of the tunnel under the Occoquan River will involve occasional underground blasting procedures starting this month and projected to end in September. Such blasting will consist of a single, one-second blast every other day, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. No blasting will take place on Sundays. When blasting is scheduled, there will be a temporary 30-minute closure of the pedestrian footbridge, River Mill Park, the Mill Street cul-de-sac, and the access road on the north side of the river. There will also be audible air horn signals 5 minutes and 1 minute before any blasts and an all-clear signal after. It is not expected that anyone will feel any vibrations from the blasting.
The Occoquan River Crossing project, as it’s called, is a joint effort between Fairfax Water, Prince William County Service Authority, and Virginia American Water to increase drinking water transmission capacity and enhance system reliability in eastern Prince William County.
This project will replace aging potable water transmission lines with two 42-inch mains inside a 400-foot-long tunnel to cross beneath the river. Construction should wrap up in late 2024.
Blasting will occur through September 2023.
The project is funded by the Prince William Service Authority and Virginia American Water.
