After the massive sewage spill, citizens are asking what Virginia American Water has been doing to mainain the wastewater plant.
CAPE CHARLES, Va. — At the May 31st Regular Meeting, Virginia American Water told the Cape Charles Town Council it has invested millions of dollars in upgrades to the town’s water and wastewater systems since acquiring the utility, while outlining additional projects designed to improve reliability, regulatory compliance and support future growth.
During a presentation to the council, company officials said their capital improvement program is guided by a comprehensive planning study that identifies projects needed to meet state and federal regulatory requirements, modernize aging infrastructure and ensure the systems can accommodate future development.
Since taking ownership of the utility system in 2024, Virginia American Water has budgeted approximately $7.3 million in water and wastewater capital improvements through 2026.
The company’s reported capital expenditures include:
- 2024 (May-December):
- Water: $1.1 million
- Wastewater: $1.0 million
- 2025:
- Water: $1.7 million
- Wastewater: $1.3 million
- 2026 Budget:
- Water: $1.1 million
- Wastewater: $1.1 million
Focus on reliability and regulatory compliance
Company officials said the investments are intended to address aging equipment while improving system resiliency and water quality.
Among the priorities outlined were:
- Replacing obsolete equipment.
- Upgrading water and wastewater treatment facilities.
- Improving automation and control systems.
- Meeting Virginia Department of Health and Department of Environmental Quality regulations.
- Increasing backup power and operational resiliency to reduce service interruptions.
- Improving treatment efficiency and water quality.
- Upgrading water distribution infrastructure.
- Reducing sewer system inflow and infiltration during heavy rain events.
- Modernizing lift stations.
- Strengthening long-term water supply reliability.
Wastewater treatment plant improvements
Virginia American Water highlighted a number of completed or ongoing projects at the wastewater treatment plant, including:
- Rehabilitation of the facility’s fine screens.
- Relining membrane reactors to extend equipment life.
- Upgrades to the ultraviolet disinfection system.
- Rehabilitation of the belt filter press.
- Installation of new emergency lighting, automated security gates, cameras and keyless entry systems.
- Upgrades to gas monitoring equipment.
- Replacement of blowers and non-potable water systems.
- Improvements to the plant’s supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system.
- HVAC and ventilation upgrades serving major electrical and processing areas.
According to the company, many of these projects are intended to improve equipment reliability, extend the life of critical infrastructure and enhance worker safety.
Sewer collection system upgrades
Virginia American Water also reported ongoing work throughout the wastewater collection system, including improvements aimed at reducing sewer overflows and improving emergency response.
Projects include:
- Purchase of a vacuum truck and sewer inspection camera.
- Lift station door replacements.
- Generator replacements at the Washington Street and Pine Street lift stations.
- Electrical and lighting upgrades.
- Replacement of control panels and installation of remote monitoring systems.
- Rehabilitation of vacuum station equipment.
- Upgrades at the Mason Avenue lift station and rehabilitation of bypass pumping equipment.
- A comprehensive inflow and infiltration study using sewer metering, smoke testing and camera inspections.
- Sewer lateral replacements and point repairs.
- Sewer main replacement, inspection and cleaning.
Long-term investment strategy
The presentation comes as Cape Charles continues to experience residential and commercial growth while addressing aging utility infrastructure.
Virginia American Water acquired the town’s water and wastewater systems in 2024 as part of a $15 million purchase approved by the Town Council. Since then, the utility has emphasized long-term capital investment designed to improve reliability while preparing the system for future demand.
Several of the projects presented to council focus on increasing system resiliency, particularly during severe weather and heavy rainfall, while addressing deferred maintenance that accumulated over many years under municipal ownership.
Town officials did not take action following the presentation, which served as an update on the company’s ongoing capital improvement program and future infrastructure planning.
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Well,
Dang, look’s like everyone’s water bill will be skyrocketing soon. (and the town’s already dodging any potential responsibilty)
I’ll be happy when I no longer get random batches of gray or yellow water in my house. Flushing the system via the hydrants doesn’t seem to be solving the issue and all the plumbing in my house is from 2004 so the problem is not from old pipes on my side of the meter. Washing whites is a crap-shoot, water can be clear one minute and dark gray the next. Happened once in the middle of brushing my teeth, too. Gross!