Council Shows Little Interest in Pipeline Involvement

Members of the Leesburg Town Council were divided Monday night as they shared their thoughts and concerns regarding the Raspberry Falls community and its water supply.

Approximately 140 homes are located within the community, which has a water system operated by Loudoun Water with two communal wells as the water source. 

One of the two wells (PW-1) serving the community was shut down November 16, 2011 after the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) determined the well was groundwater under the direct influence of surface water or GUDI. 

Though it was stated that the water supply is safe for those in the local community, staff was directed to look at long-term options. Options included a membrane filtration for the well and a connection to another waterworks such as the Town of Leesburg.

On Monday, Loudoun Water’s General Manager Dale Hammes said that the task force has asked whether a pipeline option is still on the table. If the Town of Leesburg is interested in a wholesale arrangement, and if it was considered by Loudoun Water, then four matters would have to be agreed upon: performance standards on water quality, water pressure, water quantity, and that a wholesale rate would be calculated and a part of the agreement.

“We’re at a point where we would really like to move forward with both options or one,” Hammes said. “If both options are still on the table then the pipeline needs further study. If not, Loudoun Water's board will consider how to move forward with the only option available to us and that would be membrane treatment.”

Councilwoman Kelly Burk said that she would not be in favor of the pipeline. Not only would it be expensive but it wouldn’t be profitable in the end. Burk also said that she’s met with a number of residents in the Raspberry community and many of them do not want to pay for a pipeline, she said.

“I have gone over this both at the county level and the town level and I don’t see any value in it,” Burk said, adding that a membrane system would be a better alternative. "It’s not as expensive, it’s a proven system that works, and I think we would do a disservice to the town if we even consider putting this pipeline out.”

Councilman Dave Butler said that it’s easy to find a few customers who don’t like the pipeline option but that’s what the study is all about.

“It’s not a guarantee that a pipeline would be cheaper or more expensive and if we went and talked to those people in Raspberry Falls and we said, ‘Hey, we’ll save you money with a pipeline,’ you can bet that they’d be on board probably pretty quickly,” Butler said, adding that he supports Leesburg’s participation.

“It’s a no brainer for two reasons. One we can potentially save the people, the residents ... millions of dollars, potentially. That’s a very strong argument for me whether they're Leesburg residents or not. If I can help save someone millions of dollars, then that’s on my radar,” he added. “The second thing is we’re guaranteed to make money. There’s no chance we’re going to lose money. It’s a greater return.”

Butler said he was disappointed that so many council members weren’t in favor of showing support. It’s the only realistic, viable, long-term solution on the table, he said, and “I think we should go for it.”  

However, Councilwoman Katie Hammler said she thinks there are too many risks.

“We’ve already laid the foundation that there is a viable option for Raspberry Falls but in terms of a Leesburg perspective there are significant risks,” Hammler said, such as an increase in pressure, possible plant expansion, higher taxes and a number of other unknowns. “In terms of my research and looking at the facts, having talked and really listened, given how critical clean water is for the community, I do not think a pipeline would certainly be the best interest of Leesburg.” 

Vice Mayor Kevin Wright asked if Loudoun Water need the pipeline to meet the health safety welfare needs of the Raspberry Falls community. Hammes said no.

“Loudoun Water does not currently need membrane treatments. But we do feel that having had one well go GUDI we lose source water,” Hammes said. “Whether we still have a remaining well where the water quality is fine or not we don’t have enough water when we lose a source. So we believe the either the pipeline or the membrane option is a proper path.”

Councilman Tom Dunn said he believes that a number of the issues brought up Monday night can be worked through and supported the idea of helping the local community.

Mayor Kristen Umstattd on the other hand said she agreed with Hammler, Burk, and other council members who feel that the participation would be too expensive and a possible risk. 

"I don't want to see us taking on anymore development outside of the Town of Leesburg in an area that has never been planned to be our service area," Umstattd said.

The Town Council will discuss the resolution during their public hearing on Tuesday.