LOUDOUN WATER
ON TAP
www.loudounwater.org 44865 Loudoun Water Way Ashburn, VA 20147
THE CLEAN WATER ISSUE
LOUDOUN WATER UPDATE | MAY/JUNE 2015
BEAVERDAM RESERVOIR WILL TEMPORARILY REOPEN JUNE 1! In March, Loudoun Water Board Chairman Johnny Rocca announced that Beaverdam Creek Reservoir will temporarily re-open to the public on June 1, 2015. Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York and NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert were there to support the announcement. Chairman York applauded Loudoun Water’s efforts to protect and upgrade this drinking-water resource while at the same time working with NOVA Parks to open the Beaverdam Reservoir to the public.
As of March 25, 2015, Beaverdam Creek Reservoir had “This facility is a very valuable asset to naturally refilled to within 8 feet of full. On March 30, Loudoun Water’s business of providing Loudoun Water began pumping from Goose Creek to drinking water to its customers,” said York. “While the primary purpose of the reservoir augment the refilling process. Loudoun Water and NOVA Parks agreed to a is a drinking-water resource, it is also a temporary arrangement for the park authority wonderful recreational amenity. I’m delighted to manage the property when it opens on June that we are present today to hear that Loudoun 1, 2015. Loudoun Water and NOVA Parks will Water, working with NOVA Parks, will be able develop a separate, permanent agreement to temporarily open Beaverdam for public use for managing the property beyond 2018 when beginning this summer.” construction is expected to be complete.
GOOSE CREEK WATER TREATMENT FACILITY RECEIVED GOLD 2014 EXCELLENCE IN WATERWORKS OPERATIONS/PERFORMANCE The Goose Creek Water Treatment Facility recieved the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Gold 2014 Excellence in Waterworks Operations/ Performance Award. This award is part of VDH’s Virginia’s Optimization Program which encourages waterworks to provide water with a quality that exceeds minimum regulatory standards and to operate water sytems in an exemplary manner. The GCWTF was purchased from the City of Fairfax in January 2014. This is the first time the facility has recieved a Gold award.
WHERE DOES DRINKING WATER COME FROM?
WHAT IS SOURCE WATER & SOURCE WATER PROTECTION?
Drinking water (both tap water and bottled water)comes from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells, also known as source water. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and radioactive material and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity.
Source water is untreated water from lakes, streams, rivers, aquifers, wells, reservoirs and springs that serves as a community’s water source. Local examples are the Potomac River, Goose Creek Reservoir and Beaverdam Creek Reservoir. Source water protection is an easy way to prevent drinking water from becoming polluted by managing possible sources of contamination in an area which supplies water to the public. Everyone in the community has a vital role to play in protecting drinking water for today and the future.
Loudoun Water customers receive their drinking water from the Potomac River and Goose Creek Reservoir. The Potomac River is augmented by reservoirs in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia through a shared supply agreement with neighboring providers. Beaverdam Creek Reservoir fills Goose Creek Reservoir when it gets low and vice versa.
WHAT IS A WATERSHED AND WHICH ONE DO I LIVE IN? A watershed is all of the land area that drains water to a specific point such as a lake, bay or section on a stream. They can be defined for large areas like the Potomac River or for smaller areas like those drained by very small streams. Everyone in the world lives in a watershed. Loudoun County, in particular, is located in the Potomac watershed. Loudoun County itself is comprised of 17 watersheds and 161 subwatersheds, which average 2,100 acres each. Each of these feed into the Potomac River. To see which watershed you are located in, visit www.cfpub. epa.gov/surf/locate or come in to our Aquiary and use our watershed locator.
Dutchman Creek Quarter Branch
Piney Run
Clarks Run Catoctin Creek
North Fork Catoctin Creek ne sto South Fork Lime ch n Catoctin Bra Creek
Direct to Potomac
North Fork Goose Creek Beaverdam Creek
Lower Goose Creek
Broad Run Upper Goose Creek
Cub Run Bull Run
Sugarland Run
HOW DOES SOURCE WATER PROTECTION BENEFIT ME? 1
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Public health protection Reduced threats to public health due to acute or chronic illness death from exposure to contaminated water.
Economic
Minimizes costs for water treatments, emergency replacement water and finding new supplies.
Environmental
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Protection of rural lands, wildlife habitats, recreational areas and water quality of streams and wetlands.
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Loudoun Water customers develop confidence in the quality of water provided by a public water supplier.
Public Confidence
HELP KEEP OUR WATERWAYS CLEAN Cleaning up waste can be one of the less enjoyable responsibilities that comes with owning a pet. While it may not be our favorite thing to do, it is still important to clean up after our furry friends. Pet waste is more than just unsightly and smelly; it is a health risk to other pets, people and water bodies. Pet waste does not always dissolve or fertilize lawns and is often washed away by rain, melting snow and ice directly into waterways. Nutrients in pet waste can cause excessive algal growth in bodies of water, which can hurt fish populations as well as disrupt water’s natural ecology. Animal waste can be the source of E. coli, salmonella and other microscopic pathogens in local waters. How you can help: `
• Use a bag or scoop to pick up your pet’s waste and dispose of it in the trash. • Routinely clean your yard of waste and dispose it in the trash. • Keep your pet more than 200 feet away from a body of water when they’re doing their business. • Never throw waste into a storm drain. • Encourage other pet owners to also be responsible.
HOW YOU CAN HELP PROTECT SOURCE WATER Pick up after your pet.
Plant trees along creeks.
Never dump anything in creeks or lakes.
Check and repair vehicle fluid levels.
If you like boating, only participate in passive boating such as rowing, canoeing or kayaking instead of motorized boating.
Properly dispose of household cleaning products, paint, fertilizers, pesticides and expired/unused medications.
Compost yard waste and use natural fertilizers.
Refrain from swimming in known drinking water sources.
PAYMENT METHOD QUESTIONS ANSWERED As a reminder, auto-debt is currently unavailable, but we are diligently working toward a new payment solution. Please use one of our alternate payment methods when submitting any payments. We thank you for your patience! We’ll have more information to come soon. While we cannot offer auto-debt at this time, we have several other payment methods in place for your convenience. You can pay online free of charge, pay by phone, mail a check, or visit our facility and make a payment in person. If you have any questions, please call our Customer Service team at 571.291.7880.
RECOMMENDED TWO-DAY PER WEEK WATERING SCHEDULE:
Odd home addresses: Wednesday & Saturday Even home addresses: Thursday & Sunday Commercial companies: Tuesday & Friday Avoid watering from 10 AM - 4 PM to reduce evaporation and water waste.This schedule evenly distributes water use which helps ensure reliable supplies, and it leaves Monday alone - a chance for storage tanks to refill after a weekend of heavy water use.
SAVE MONEY AND WATER WHILE WATERING YOUR YARD Water usage always seems to spike during the summer months, which is why it is so important to irrigate responsibly. Below are a few simple tips for saving water while irrigating: • Most lawns only need about ¾ to 1 inch of water per week to stay healthy. The best (and easier) way to determine how much time it takes for your sprinkler to deliver that much water is by placing a tuna can to measure the water. Loudoun Water provides rain gagues upon request • Watering in the evening or early in the morning helps to reduce evaporation and water waste. • Avoid sprinklers that mist as they increase evaporation • Aerate soil in the spring and fall to reduce runoff • Set sprinklers to avoid paved areas • Allowing grass to grow 2-3 inches allows for enhanced root development and minimal watering • Keep an eye on the weather. Rain may fulfill your lawn’s watering needs without additional sprinkler time.
MAY 3 - 9, 2015 IS NATIONAL DRINKING WATER WEEK! We are fortunate enough to live in an area where drinking water isn’t a concern for residents. Water is available for cooking, cleaning, bathing, drinking, suppressing fires, constructing buildings, controlling temperatures, and more. By 2040, Loudoun Water customers may require up to 90 million gallons of drinking water every day, which represents a 40 million gallon per day increase from today’s customer demand. That’s why Loudoun Water is investing in infrastructure like the Potomac Water Supply Program (PWSP) to ensure the future of your
drinking water supply. We’re developing assets and infrastructure to withdraw raw water directly from the Potomac River that can be banked in retired quarries for future use. This water will be processed at a state-of-the-art water treatment facility and new transmission pipelines will distribute safe, clean drinking water. Ensuring that our customers have a safe, reliable and sustainable supply of drinking water is our mission. Help us celebrate National Drinking Water Week with your family and friends the next time you enjoy a glass of tap water.
IRRIGATION BACKFLOW TESTING According to state and federal regulations, all properties with an irrigation system must be annually tested by a 2 certified backflow inspector in order to protect public health. Backflow preventers protect a customer’s water, as well as other Loudoun Water customers, from a reverse flow of water (backflow) from your sprinkler system. Without proper backflow prevention, fertilizers, feces or other hazardous materials near sprinkler heads could be pulled into the water system. Tests forms are available on our website. Once the backflow preventer test is complete, Loudoun Water must receive the test results within 15 days. While some testers report directly to Loudoun Water, it is ultimately the customer’s responsibility to ensure results are received on time. Any failing backflow test must be repaired or replaced at the customer’s expense within 30 days of notification. Devices must be retested following repairs. Customers who have previously submitted 5 test results and are due for their annual inspection soon will be receiving a letter detailing the requirements. Customers who have never had their systems tested before can find more information on our website or can call 571.291.7880.
BIKE TO WORK DAY May 15, 2015 is Bike to Work Day in the D.C.-metro area where there will be 79 pit stops for commuters to enjoy. To celebrate Bike to Work Day, Loudoun Water will be at the Sterling pit-stop from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. handing out water bottles to commuters. For more information about the free event, visit their website.
VISIT US: THE AQUIARY Now that the weather has warmed up and schools begin to wrap up, we often see more visitors to our Aquiary exhibits. We have an interactive educational center with 3,500 square feet of indoor exhibits and nearly one mile of outdoor trails. It’s one of the county’s best kept secrets! It’s also free! The Aquiary has hosted thousands of visitors of all ages. Whether you’re a school looking for a science lesson, or a community group interested in learning more about where your water comes from, we’d love to schedule a tour with you! We can also speak to your group about a particular interest. In the past our staff has given lessons water conservation, the reclaimed water process, watersheds, Loudoun Water’s mission, and scouting badge requirements.
HYDRANT FLUSHING UPDATE You may have seen Loudoun Water crews flushing area hydrants. Flushing started in late March and is scheduled to run through the beginning of June. Loudoun Water flushes water mains each year to ensure high standards of water quality and proper operation of valves and fire hydrants. The flushing cleans out sediment and other particles that accumulate naturally in water mains. There are over 9,300 hydrants that must be maintained in the Loudoun Water system. To see where crews are expected to be flushing, click here.
DRINKING WATER QUALITY ANNUAL REPORTS NOW AVAILABLE Annual Drinking Water quality reports are now available on the Loudoun Water website for all Loudoun Water customers. All customers should have or will receive notification in their bills by July 1, 2015. If you have any question regarding the reports, please feel free to call our Customer Service team at 571.291.7880.
UPCOMING EVENTS May 3 - 9 National Drinking Water Week Friday, May 8 Smithsonian Garden Fest Friday, May 15 Bike to Work Day Monday, May 25 CLOSED - Memorial Day Monday, June 1 Beaverdam Creek Reservoir Opens to the Public