Town of Cape Charles Approves Easement Transfer for Waterworks Sale

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Cape Charles Town Council has approved resolutions facilitating the transfer of key easements following the sale of its water and wastewater systems to Virginia-American Water Company (VAWC). The decision, formalized in Resolution 20241017A, allows the town to accept and assign the necessary easements to VAWC for the ongoing operation of the utilities.

In April 2024, the Town of Cape Charles sold its water treatment and distribution systems, along with its wastewater treatment and collection systems, to VAWC, a move authorized by a series of resolutions and ordinances passed in November 2022. The sale included several critical agreements between the town and VAWC, including a Comprehensive Agreement, a Franchise Agreement, and a Post-Closing Agreement.

To ensure the smooth operation of the utilities, VAWC requires two easements across real properties. The first easement, known as the Canonie Easement, involves property owned by Canonie Atlantic Co. The second easement, called the VPA Easement, concerns property owned by the Virginia Port Authority. These easements will provide VAWC with the necessary access to maintain and operate the system.

The approval of the resolution was seen as a key step in finalizing the transaction. “This is an important step in our ongoing partnership with Virginia-American Water Company,” a town representative stated. “It ensures that VAWC can continue to provide essential services to the residents of Cape Charles while maintaining the integrity of our agreements.”

The easements will be formally assigned to VAWC following the town’s acceptance, completing another chapter in the town’s transition of its waterworks and wastewater systems to private management.