Fairfax Water | FFXnow

Idylwood neighborhood objects to plans for new Fairfax Water tank

Published July 30, 2024 at 10:30AM

The proposed Poplar Heights water tank (via Fairfax Water)

Fairfax Water’s plan to update and expand the water tank that serves much of Idylwood and Pimmit Hills has run into strong opposition from many residents of the single-family neighborhood that surrounds the site.

Resident after resident testified at a Fairfax County Planning Commission public hearing last Wednesday (July 24) that replacing the existing 700,000-gallon Poplar Heights tank with the 1.25-million-gallon tank proposed by the water authority will irrevocably damage their community and quality of life.

Countywide

Fairfax Water: No quality concerns after use of Washington Aqueduct paused

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 5, 2024 at 11:45AM

Getting tap water in a glass (via Swanky Fella on Unsplash)

Fairfax Water customers weren’t affected by the recent Boil Water Advisory that went out to D.C. and Arlington County residents before Independence Day.

The utility, which serves almost 2 million people in Northern Virginia, suspended its use of the Washington Aqueduct early on Wednesday (July 3) before the advisory was issued later that day. Though D.C. and Arlington both lifted the advisory yesterday (Thursday), Fairfax Water says it hasn’t yet resumed getting water from the aqueduct.

Countywide

County should prioritize EV charging and employee compensation, environmental council says

By Acacia James

Published March 1, 2024 at 11:00AM

Electric vehicle chargers (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

To further its environmental goals, Fairfax County’s to-do list should include building an electric vehicle charging network, addressing “critical” staff shortages, and addressing development pressure, the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) says in a new report.

An employee compensation policy update to attract and retain workers in departments such as wastewater and solid waste was the top recommendation in the 2023 Annual Report on the Environment (ARE), EQAC Chair Larry Zaragoza told the Board of Supervisors during its environmental committee meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 29).

Countywide

Bill encouraging data center water studies advances to Virginia House floor for vote

By Ben Peters / Inside NoVA

Published February 12, 2024 at 3:30PM

Some geese float on the Occoquan River (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A committee in the Virginia House of Delegates on Friday advanced to the House floor a bill that would require localities to conduct water studies prior to approving data centers.

The bill, introduced by Del. Josh Thomas, a freshman Democrat who represents western Prince William County in the 21st District, would encourage local governments undergo site assessment to examine the effect of data centers on water usage, carbon emissions and agricultural resources.

News

Fairfax Water to replace and expand 71-year-old tank in Idylwood

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 11, 2024 at 1:30PM

Fairfax Water plans to replace a water tank that has stood in the Poplar Heights neighborhood since 1952 (via Fairfax Water)

A water tank erected in Idylwood around the time of the Korean War is on its last legs, Fairfax Water says.

The water authority is seeking to replace the 71-year-old Poplar Heights tank with a bigger, elevated tank that will be able to hold approximately 1.25 million gallons of water, according to an application submitted in December to Fairfax County’s planning department.

News

Officials discuss future of Vienna tap water service — possibly leading to Fairfax Water takeover

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 2, 2024 at 1:30PM

Fairfax Water's headquarters in Merrifield (via Google Maps)

The new year may bring changes to how water is provided in and around the Town of Vienna.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized staff on Dec. 5 to begin discussions with the town and Fairfax Water about the future of public water delivery service in areas currently served by Vienna Water.

News

NOW: McLean’s Kirby Road caves under water main break, requiring closure

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 20, 2023 at 11:00AM

Kirby Road in McLean has caved in after a water main break (via FCPD/Twitter)

A key commuter road in McLean could be closed for days after getting seriously damaged by a water main break this morning (Friday).

Police officers responded to Kirby Road around 4:45 a.m., shutting down both lanes between Sugarstone Court and Claiborne Drive. A video shared by the Fairfax County Police Department shows water gushing up onto the asphalt roadway, buckling what appears to be the southbound lane.