City Considers Selling Water Plant, Joining County System

Residents will get a chance to speak out on the future of Fairfax water cost and quality at tonight's public hearing in City Hall. With resident feedback, Fairfax City will decide whether to keep its current water service or team up with the county's water system.

Here's a quick overview of the two options on the table:

• Keep city's water service. This means coming up with funding for equipment replacement, maintenance and improvements, some of which are required by new state law.
• Join Fairfax Water. This means selling the city's current water treatment facilities and joining the largest water utility in the state.

If the city decides to stick with its water facilities in Loudoun County — Goose Creek Water Treatment Plant and Beaverdam Creek Reservoir — it will have to come up with $30 million over the next two years. Fairfax City will also need to fund $25 million over 12 years to help pay for upgrades to the Norman M. Cole Jr. Pollution Control Plant. The city owns a portion of the Fairfax County plant and is expected to chip in to fund projects the plant needs to meet new federal regulations.

This extra cost comes at the same time the city faces an $8 million general fund deficit.

In a letter to water customers, Richard Thoesen, the director of utilities for Fairfax City, said the money would likely come from water rate increases and new customer charges.

Rates for city customers will increase over what they pay now. But customers would have to pay less money every year under the Fairfax Water option.

Here are the projected annual water rates for the average city household:

• Keep current water system: 2014 - $608; 2018 - $748; 2028 - $904
• Join Fairfax Water: 2014 - $552; 2018 - $630; 2028 - $777

So what would it mean if the city joined Fairfax Water?

Fairfax City employees would still read your meters, bill you, maintain water lines and provide customer service. The only major change would be the source of your water. 

Speak out on this topic at the following City Hall hearings:

• 7 p.m. April 10 (tonight)
• 7 p.m. May 8
• The final decision is scheduled for May 22.

Click here to learn more about the proposed water plans.

Check Patch later for more information on the two options, as well as updates on water-related litigation and a comparison of city/county water quality.