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Supervisors consider not filling new reservoir to capacity Date published: 12/20/2008
BY JONAS BEALS
Rocky Pen Run Reservoir is scheduled to open in 2012, easing the stress on Stafford County's water infrastructure and providing for increased usage over the next 30 to 40 years. Construction plans are moving forward. The finished reservoir will have a dam height of 230 feet, and will provide approximately 13.2 million gallons per day. When the reservoir is filled, a portion of Rocky Run Road in southern Stafford will be closed permanently. Affected residents will have to use Holly Corner Road to access U.S. 17 and Interstate 95. Earlier this month Hartwood Supervisor Joe Brito, who lives on property that will abut the reservoir, suggested staff explore alternative routes that would give Rocky Run Road residents another way to access the center of the county. He also recommended lowering the final water level by 10 feet to decrease project costs. Staff recommended that neither suggestion be implemented. No motion was made, and the dam construction will proceed as scheduled. Road options were presented, but were deemed too expensive to implement at this point. Staff did find that there could be some immediate cost savings by building the dam to 230 feet but only partially filling the reservoir. Once demand increased, the dam could be modified and the reservoir filled to capacity. Assistant Director of Utilities Keith Dayton advised that the "approach has merit." "We think it's a very viable option," he said, adding that it could reduce some fiscal stress now, saving approximately $6 million in the short term. But it could cost about $10 million in the future. The overall cost of the reservoir project is expected to be $130 million. The board did not support the idea. "We're going to try to save $6 million at the last minute by not filling the reservoir up, and then pay for it later?" Supervisor Paul Milde asked rhetorically. "Why are we hearing this now?" Those questions were never answered, and the board took no action to pursue the option. "Our generation is continually pushing the cost of things onto our children," Supervisor Cord Sterling said. "I'm hesitant about pushing this cost into the future." Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
that is not needed for 25 years? Water tap fees were increased from $3,600 to $5,600 in 2005 to pay for the reservoir. Since then the construction cost of the reservoir has skyrocketed requiring tap fees to be increase by an additional $2,000. The new proposed water tap fee is $7,600. The phased approach could lower the proposed tap fee to under $7,000.
Thanks Paul and Cord for remaining sane. Let's cut to brass tacks here, Joe wants a new road because his neighbors complained... too late. Let THEM pay for it. More BOS fuzzy math I guess.... sounds like a bait and switch to me there Joe.
Where does this man come up with these ideas? dont fill the reservoir now, when the reservoir is needed for water - has he forgotten the water shortage- and save 6 mill now to spend 10 mill later- WOW- No need to comment any more on this one. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE-
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