Governor's Proposal Grants Alexandria's Potomac Cleanup an Extension

ALEXANDRIA, VA - Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is expected to request an extension for Alexandria to complete a project halting wastewater flow into the Potomac River.

McAuliffe is requesting amendments to SB 898 and HB 2383, which the General Assembly passed earlier this year. While the bills would require remediating all four combined sewer outfalls in Alexandria to start by July 1, 2023, and be completed by July 1, 2025, McAuliffe wants to extend these dates to 2024 and 2027, respectively.

“We thank Gov. McAuliffe for requesting a more reasonable timeline for these mega-projects,” said Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg. “While the new deadlines are still very aggressive, we are fully committed to doing what is needed for the four outfalls in Alexandria and getting them done right."

The amendment would also allow the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to grant six month extensions up to 2030 and collect annual progress reports.

“The Governor’s amendments would maintain an aggressive timeline to remedy Alexandria’s CSO problem while granting oversight to the Department of Environmental Quality rather than the part-time legislature, which lacks the experience of environmental regulators," said state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria).

Longstanding concerns about wastewater flowing into the Potomac prompted the bills this year. Alexandria is one of 860 cities faced with tackling combined sewer systems due to regulations under the Clean Water Act. Cities like Richmond Lynchburg face similar concerns.

According to Alexandria city government, the project could cost nearly $400 million. The combined sewer system serves about 5 percent of Alexandria, with the remainder having separate systems. Alexandria's combined sewer system dates back to the 1800s, making it one of the first in the country.

Residential, commercial, and non-profit customers could see their sewer fees increase to comply with the state mandates. Under the city's proposed fiscal year 2018 budget, the sewer fee would rise from $1.40 to $1.82 per 1,000 gallons and the solid waste fee from $363 to $373. The city is set to implement a stormwater utility fee in 2018. The capital budget of $368 million accounts for sewer fee increases through 2027.

The General Assembly reconvenes on Wednesday, April 5 to consider McAuliffe's action on bills.

Image via Zenia, Flickr, used under Creative Commons