"A big question of late is... Is there, and will there be, enough? And, How will public water needs be met?

In its role as public water supplier to half the community, Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) must constantly evaluate what will be needed and how to meet the need. Its most recent major assessment of demand and supply through 2050 began six years ago. It resulted in a plan that adds to the water supply incrementally and incorporates both engineering and management strategies. Currently, RWSA produces up to 11.7 million gallons per day (MGD). Demand projections say they need to supply 16 MGD by 2030 (a 37% increase over the current amount) and 19.5 MGD by 2050 (a 67% increase). These figures provide for supplying water even in the most severe drought. They assume qrowth continuinq at about the present rate and conservation reducing demand by only 3%. RWSA's adopted plan, could actually create a water supply capability exceedinq its 2030 qoal of 16MGD within a few years, well ahead of the projected time frame. The plan is outlined below.

Flow-Release Adjustment: Altering the traditional 8 MGD in-stream flow release from the SFRR, gains of up to 1.6 MGD. COST: $400,000.

Managing the Watershed and Saving the SFRR: The South Fork Rivanna Reservoir's (SFRR) current capacity of 880 million gallons is down 34% from its 1966 volume due to sediment build-up, and safe yield could fall to nearly zero by 2050. RWSA determined that the community wants the SFRR preserved; thus, the sediment problem must be tackled through both prevention and remediation in the watershed. In addition, RWSA 's application is pending with the Army Corps of Engineers for a permit to dredge an area of the reservoir, recovering about 31 million gallons of lost capacity (+.15 MGD). Maintenance dredging and restorative dredging are also being studied. COSTS: Watershed work and data development: Capital cost - $175,000, Annual costs -$285,000. Initial dredging and study of future potential: $1.1 million

Expanding the Reservoir: A key element in RWSA's strategy is raising the height of the SFRR dam by addition of 4-foot crest controls (an inflatable bladder). This will significantly increase reservoir capacity and add to safe yield by 7 MGD. Permitting and construction was expected to take four years, but a fast-track approach, already underway, could reduce the time by half. COST: $7.5 million

Other Engineered Improvements: Rehabilitating a formerly operative Mechums River pump station will assist several improvements in the total system. It would allow accessing water stored in Lake Albemarle (capacity - 150 million gallons) during severe drought, and in Beaver Creek Reservoir (capacity - 521 mg) during drought and, potentially, on an ongoing basis (up to 2 MGD). It could enable use of increased storage at the Ragged Mountain Reservoirs (capacity - 514 mg) following dam repairs, and could provide a direct "non-reservoir" source of water to the system during high flow times. RWSA expects approval for this pump station from the Army Corps of Engineers within a week or two. COST: $510,000 for pump station and additional studies.

Improved drought management procedures: Critical to RWSA's water supply strategy, these could increase safe yield by up to 2.4 MGD. Cost: $250,000. Additional recommended actions will improve operating flexibility, risk reduction and system redundancy. Such drought "insurance" requires maintenance (some long overdue) and upgrading of several existing facilities coupled with selective use of water

impoundments throughout the County. Replacing a raw water pump and filter system at the North Rivanna Water Treatment Plant ensures production capability of up to 2 MGD from Chris Greene Lake (capacity - 334 mg). Upgrades of the older Observatory Water Treatment Plant (valves, controls and finished water pumps) will make it a more reliable partner to the larger SFRR Treatment Plant, and a back-up in case of emergency at SFRR due to a toxic spill or other extreme condition. Costs: $3.3 million

What about conservation? According to recent positive experience, it seems that using 10% less water per capita is an easily achievable norm for our community. Such reduction can stretch out the time frame for any future expansion of public water supply. All-out efforts to replace water guzzling toilets, showerheads and washing machines may include additional incentives (financial assistance) and disincentives (excess use rates). Rainwater collection and use as graywater for landscaping could be strongly encouraged for all large new structures and developments. Rain barrels could be provided to public water users - residents, restaurants and other small businesses. Conservation is up to us, and worth our continued efforts .

Questions remain ... What about a new reservoir and what about water rates? The earlier proposed Buck Mountain Reservoir was found unlikely to be permitted by regulatory agencies and five times the cost of other options. Thus, it is to be held aside in case of future verified need and the approved RWSA plan implemented. As RWSA Director, Larry Tropea has said, "This plan is Better... Faster... and Cheaper for our community." Regarding water rates, we must all ask: Is a fraction of one cent per gallon too much to pay for security, purity and ultimate convenience?" (Joy Matthews, LWV Newsletter, December 2002)