Involving the Community

We don't know if the taste and odor issue will recur in the future, but it could. The problem is complex and the solution will not be simple.

To address the problem, Virginia American Water is considering advanced treatment alternatives. We plan to test one of these options during an advanced treatment plant trial during the summer months of 2011.

However, the implementation of any of the possible options is costly, and it is important that the Hopewell community be aware of the financial implications of any solution. For this reason, Virginia American Water is inviting the community to learn more about the cause and possible solutions for the taste and odor issues in Hopewell's drinking water.

During 2011, Virginia American Water will organize two community information sessions. In addition, we have formed a Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG), which is involved in raising awareness about the cause and possible solutions for the taste and odor issues. An Expert Panel comprised of water quality, algae and water treatment experts serves as a resource for SAG members and is present at the community information sessions and SAG meetings.

In initiating this community involvement program, we recognize the legitimacy of all stakeholder interests and the need to balance all reasonable needs in a sustainable way.

June 19, 2011: Virginia American Water President William Walsh's op ed that describes what the company is doing to address the taste and odor issue.

March 16, 2011: Virginia American Water President William Walsh's letter to the editor on the community involvement initiative

Taste and Odor Improvement Ideas

During our initial meetings, members of the Stakeholder Advisory Group, Expert Panel and Virginia American Water (VAW) staff made the following suggestions for improvements:

• 1. Operational Improvements
  • Change Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) to a more effective PAC
  • Install a more effective PAC feed system as part of the Hopewell plant expansion project
  • Improve river water quality monitoring by installing instrumentation capable of measuring pH, temperature, alkalinity and chlorophyll
  • Perform taste testing monitoring
  • Slow the water treatment time to allow more contact with Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) filters
  • Remove algae from the Appomattox River during bloom
• 2. Engineering Improvements
  • Make improved use of PAC
  • Advanced oxidation
  • Re-evaluate the GAC change out program (how much/how often). Determine the type of GAC (bituminous vs. wood), reactivated vs. new, based on the fate of American Carbon Services and associated cost. Evaluate different types of GAC along with the advanced oxidation trial for MIB and by-product removal (filter pilots).
  • Make intake location or other improvements
• 3. Long-term Environmental Improvements
  • Improve Appomattox River’s ecological health
    • Maintain appropriate flow levels.
      • Stay involved with Appomattox River Water Authority
      • Stay involved with DEQ and public discussions on flow by.
    • Participate in discussions on DEQ regulations on Phase II WIP (Watershed Implementation Plan) regarding nutrient levels.
    • Participate in DEQ discussions on James River Chlorophyll Study.
    • Participate with the Hopewell Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility in discussions on achieving nutrient standards
    • Answer question: Are building codes/zoning laws in place to protect the watershed in all jurisdictions, including Ft. Lee?
    • Support research on Appomattox River water quality, watershed, and environmental quality including installation of monitoring equipment (buoy) near intake
    • Promote ecological restoration through creation of buffer zones, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) grass restoration, and other ecosystem improvements to allow natural checks and balances to work.
  • Improve communications
    • Between VAW and Hopewell customers, keeping everyone aware of changes in water quality and improvement efforts
    • Between VAW and other watershed stakeholders, keeping each other informed of issues, releases, planned activities that may effect others, etc
    • Between VAW and regulators, keeping VAW aware and involved in upcoming meetings on new regulation or other issues that may impact ecological health of Appomattox Watershed.
  • Awareness campaign -- Messages
    • Marina on Appomattox: Keep boat clean and avoid bringing dirty water, algae, and other contaminants into marina from other locations
    • General Public -- Messages
      • Pharmaceuticals and personal care products: Should be disposed of in trash, not flushed down toilet
      • Avoid overuse of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer on neighborhood lawns.
      • Clean up after your pet. Pet waste enters the water as rain washes it from the watershed into storm sewers.
      • Do not litter, dump chemicals in the toilet or in storm sewers, properly dispose of used chemicals, check your septic tanks
    • VAW Website
      • Post tips on pollution prevention
      • Promote water conservation tips
    • Support watershed protection education program in schools