Cape Charles spent some time following up on new information regarding the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD). Cape Charles Town Manager Hozey met with the HRSD General Manager and Chief of Planning to discuss whether the HRSD could be an alternative to selling or keeping our utilities.
Previously, it was believed that HRSD only managed sewer systems, not water. However, it turns out that HRSD has the authorization to allow them to start operating “associated water systems” such as we have here in Cape Charles.
Presently, HRSD has not as yet obtained any water systems.
Hozey also reports that HRSD water would be limited in size to no more than 1000 premises. Hozey believes that number puts the town out of range for HRSD consideration, however, the town manager also used to believe that the firm only handled wastewater, not water. Whether this number holds is yet to be determined.
The town has met twice with HRSD. Whether they plan to continue to explore this option is not known at this time.
HRSD’s SWIFT
SWIFT (the Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow) is HRSD’s newest water treatment innovation. SWIFT takes highly treated water that would otherwise be discharged into the Elizabeth, James or York rivers and puts it through additional rounds of advanced water treatment to meet drinking water quality standards. SWIFT Water will be used to replenish the Potomac Aquifer, the primary source of groundwater for the region. The SWIFT Research Center in Suffolk is now open and replenishing the Potomac Aquifer with one million gallons of SWIFT Water daily. To learn about the many environmental benefits of SWIFT, please visit SWIFTVA.com.
This has real potential!
See link: Bill Tracking – 2021 session > Legislation (virginia.gov)
Cape Charles has had over 1,000 connections for at least 15 years.
Note: Not the point. Buy a vowel.