The U.S. Geological Survey reported the presence of “intersex” fish in the Potomac River. Our major supplier, Fairfax Water, wants you to know the following information:

• There is no evidence of human health concern. Fairfax Water’s primary objective is the protection of public health through the delivery of high-quality drinking water.
• Research has shown that the combination of the use of ozone and granular activated carbon are highly effective in removing broad categories of hormonally active constituents such as those discussed in the article. Fairfax Water uses both ozone and granular activated carbon as part of its multi-barrier approach that also includes coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection.
• Fairfax Water, along with other water utilities regionally and nationally, is working to advance the science in the area understanding and treating endocrine disruptors.
  • Fairfax Water, along with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and the Washington Aqueduct, founded the Potomac Partnership to study water quality issues in the Potomac watershed.
  • Fairfax Water, along with many water utilities across the nation, has contributed to and participated with the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF) to study endocrine disruptors. To date, AWWARF has conducted 21 projects totaling approximately $4.9 million.

Fairfax Water will continue to work with regional and national partners to continue to advance the science regarding these issues.

We offer a one-time adjustment for unusually high water charges caused by a leak. To be eligible for an adjustment, a customer must first call Loudoun Water to schedule a service call to verify the leak before a repair is made. To apply for this courtesy adjustment, send the following information to Loudoun Water, PO Box 4000, Leesburg, VA, 20177:

• Your name, address, account number and daytime telephone
  number
• A description of the type and exact location of the leak(s)
• Proof of repair, such as a copy of a plumber's bill or a receipt for parts
• The date the repair was made

We will try to respond within two weeks. For undetected leaks or for water wasted by damaged service pipe or fixtures, in which your consumption exceeds 130 percent of the average of the last three bills, a one-time adjustment may be made of 100 percent of the amount of excess in a bill due to this cause.

It’s a picture too ugly to imagine – the idea of raw sewage flooding your home. If you never want to see that happen, you must protect your sewer line. You can do this by ensuring nothing goes down the drain or flushed into the toilet that shouldn’t be. Items like cooking oil and pan grease should never be poured down the drain, nor should caustic liquid items, such as oven cleaner, or harder items like meat scraps, plastics or metals. Check out our online guide to disposing wastes wisely.

In the unfortunate case that this happens to you, Loudoun Water reminds customers that homeowners are responsible for any damage to their home caused by a clog in the lateral (which runs from your house to the street) or in the main sewer line in the street. Home insurance policies do not normally cover sewer backups into homes. For most policies, a rider is required. Contact your insurance provider for details on your policy.

The construction should begin in late 2005, early 2006. The project will be completed in phases over a few years. The estimated construction cost is $7 million.

The purpose of the project is to improve the transmission of water in the Sterling area and to increase system reliability. There is a need for this project because the existing water main is undersized and one of the oldest pipes in the Loudoun Water system. This is a five-year program because that is the amount of time expected to complete the installation of 19,000 feet of water main in Sterling. This project will benefit you because of increased water system reliability, more stable water pressure, and better fire protection. The cost of the project is being paid for from availability fees, not from customer water bills. There will be no increase in your water rates as a result of this project.

The new, larger water main will likely be installed on the edge of the service road, along the west side of Sterling Boulevard. The old water main will remain in service.

Will access to and from Sterling Boulevard be blocked during construction as you cross each intersection?  How will access to/from our homes be affected? When are you going to repave the roadway?  How will you advise the public of street closures and detours?

VDOT generally does not allow intersections to be completely blocked by construction activity. Traffic will be able to access intersections, with the help of some flagmen and lane diversions. Since the work will be conducted in phases, most likely only one intersection will be worked on at any one time. Access will be provided to and from homes as part of a VDOT requirement. The repaving of the roadway will be coordinated with VDOT’s repaving schedule. A temporary patch will be provided by the contractor for daily use and then the road section repaved later, either in conjunction with VDOT or independently as part of the contract work. The public will be advised in advance of streets scheduled for work through mailings and street signage.

Traditionally, VDOT works in major intersections during periods of low traffic flow so that traffic during rush hours are minimally impacted.

The proposed construction activity will be coordinated with the opening and closing times for schools in Sterling. All schools will be accessible for parents and buses.

Loudoun Water is working with the Sterling Foundation’s Sterling Boulevard beautification project. We will be restoring or replacing any impacted trees or medians within the Sterling Boulevard right-of-way in concert with their landscape plan. For trees on private property, the same commitment will be made.

A temporary loss in service may occur while we work near your property and would last for only a short duration. There may be some cloudiness when the water is turned back on. Residents will be contacted when service to their home may be interrupted.

Loudoun Water, its consultants, and VDOT all have safety standards, which will serve as the foundation of all our work. All possible measures will be taken to ensure public safety in and around the work area.

There are no viable alternatives to replacing the Sterling Boulevard watermain. The Sterling Boulevard right-of-way provides room for alignment for the new main along the service road on the West side of the Boulevard.

The anticipated daily hours of construction are those of normal work hours. The exact work hours will be coordinated with VDOT and traffic conditions. Some intersections may require temporary night work to avoid traffic.

VDOT generally does not allow the extended storage of materials and equipment within their right-of-way. So, materials and equipment are expected to be stored off site at locations to be determined during the design phase.