Community Water Supply Plan

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Illustrations prepared by Charlottesville Tomorrow showing the current and proposed urban water supply system
Charlottesville-Albemarle urban public water supply system in 2009
Charlottesville-Albemarle urban public water supply system as proposed for 2055

On April 18, 2006, the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) unveiled their preferred alternative for the 50-year community water supply plan (planning for 2005-2055). Their recommendation, based on several major water supply studies, was to build a larger dam at the Ragged Mountain Reservoir, ultimately raising the water pool by 45 vertical feet, and to build a new pipeline connecting this expanded reservoir to the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir. The Sugar Hollow Pipeline that fills Ragged Mountain Reservoir would be retired.

As of September 13, 2007, this system was estimated to cost $142.1 million, including the addition of improved water treatment facilities. When implemented, the plan would allow additional storage and treatment of water for the urban water supply for times of drought and for needs required by projected population growth.

In June 2006, this water supply plan was approved by Charlottesville City Council and the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors. The RWSA has submitted their permit request for this project to the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. An environmental mitigation plan has also been submitted to address the impact on about 3 acres of wetlands and 14,500 linear feet of streams that will be flooded around the Ragged Mountain Reservoir. RWSA has begun a community discussion to work out the financing details, the construction phasing plan, and the pipeline route.

The pipeline alternative not receiving the community's support was to utilize the James River, a water source originating outside the local watershed. In his public announcement, RWSA Executive Director, Thomas Frederick stated, "You told us many ways, many times, that you wanted to stay within the watershed. To stay within the areas where the land use is controlled by the local officials, and that's what this alternative provides to you."

This “Ragged Mountain Reservoir Alternative” would be built in phases during the next 15-20 years. The first priority will be to address the safety of the existing Ragged Mountain Dam by starting construction of the replacement dam. This would be followed by an upgrade of the Observatory Hill Water Treatment Plant.

The most expensive aspect of this project is the pipeline connecting the reservoirs which is expected to cost $55.9 million. RWSA would like to begin the pipeline construction process as early as possible once financing options are finalized. Much of the northern portion of the pipeline’s path is over existing roads or land acquired by VDOT in the right-of-way for the Western US 29 bypass project. The southern portion is largely on land owned by the University of Virginia.

External Links

http://www.rivanna.org/community.htm

Notes