By Heather Michon, Editor
The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday night to advertise a public hearing on proposed rules for bulk water withdrawals, even as residents urged the board to add stronger safeguards for large-scale industrial water use.
The proposed ordinance would create a hydrant meter permit process for access to the county’s bulk water point near the Zion Crossroads water tower. The public hearing is scheduled for June 17.
County Attorney Dan Whitten said users would be required to enter into a lease agreement, provide monthly meter readings to the utilities department, and submit to annual meter inspections. The proposed fees include a $1,500 meter deposit, a $35 monthly rental fee, and a charge of $12 per 1,000 gallons of water.
Permits could be limited during droughts or other water shortages, and leases could be terminated if users damage county equipment.
But public speakers warned that the draft may not go far enough to address high-volume use associated with major construction projects.
Industrial Water
During public comment, Ray Bassi of Smokewood Drive said the county should distinguish between ordinary users, such as pool companies and small contractors, and high-volume users, including industrial projects, power generation facilities, data centers, and repeated tanker hauling to the same site.
“This county water ordinance should protect residents, farms, small businesses, fire protection, taxpayers, and the public water system,” Bassi said. “The draft does not scale.”
Bassi specifically raised concerns about construction water for the Tenaska Expedition natural gas power plant project, which was approved earlier this year.
He said the county has not required a construction water management plan detailing where water would come from, how much would be used, whether wells could be used during construction, or how nearby well owners would be protected.
Later in the meeting, supervisors discussed whether the Tenaska special use permit restricts groundwater use during construction. Whitten said the permit prohibits on-site wells from being used for power generation, but does not appear to restrict other construction uses. County Administrator Eric Dahl said staff could ask Tenaska for more information.
Supervisors also asked staff to consider several possible changes to the bulk water proposal, including an increasing rate structure for large users, clearer termination provisions, possible camera monitoring at the water access point, and exemptions for county use.
Fork Union Water Supply
Water was a recurring theme throughout the meeting. Public Utilities Director Bobby Popowitz also updated the board on the Fork Union water supply project, funded through a $47 million Dominion Energy proffer related to coal ash disposal near the former Bremo power station.
The project includes a new water treatment plant and about 11 miles of waterline. Popowitz said the new system should improve water quality, pressure and cap
