Raspberry Falls Update, January 4, 2011

Dear Raspberry Falls Resident:

Earlier today, following a presentation and a question-and-answer session involving myself, Loudoun Water Board Chairman Fred Jennings, and Hugh Eggborn of the Virginia Department of Health, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors passed a motion requesting that Loudoun Water study a pipeline extension of Leesburg Town water to Raspberry Falls in response to the determination that Well PW-1 is groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (GUDI). 

This study is for the purpose of comparison to the additional treatment measures detailed by Loudoun Water’s Board of Directors in a resolution it passed last month.  In the resolution, Loudoun Water’s Board directed Loudoun Water staff to prepare facility plans for the purpose of evaluating the following measures: 1) a water treatment plant for all potable water wells to serve Raspberry Falls; 2) a water treatment plant for all potable wells to serve Selma Estates; and 3) a water treatment plant to serve all potable wells to serve Raspberry Falls and Selma Estates.   The resolution did not previously include the Leesburg pipeline because Board of Supervisors' land use policies would not allow a pipeline from Leesburg.  (The full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.)

At Loudoun Water’s next board meeting on January 13^th, the board will consider a new resolution to add the study of the Leesburg Town water pipeline option to the original directive passed in December.  If the new resolution is passed, Loudoun Water staff will move forward to rapidly provide our board, the Board of Supervisors, and your community with the guidance needed to determine the best possible long-term solution. 

In addition to the motion detailed above, the Board of Supervisors passed a second motion requesting that the Loudoun County Health Department contact each customer in Raspberry Falls to explain the process for reporting illnesses in case a resident believes an illness could be related to their drinking water.

We will continue to keep you informed about our progress on a consistent basis.  Updates will continue to be emailed and posted on the Raspberry Falls page of our website.

Sincerely,

Dale Hammes
General Manager
Loudoun Water