Important Update for Prince William Water Customers

Prince William Water Quality Not Affected by Potomac River Sewage Spill

Prince William Water customers can be assured that their drinking water has not been affected by the January 2026 sewage spill into the Potomac River, due to the collapse of a portion of sewer line known as the Potomac Interceptor in Montgomery County, Maryland.  

Prince William Water purchases much of its drinking water from Fairfax Water, with sources including the Occoquan Reservoir and Potomac River. The sewage spill occurred several miles downstream of Fairfax Water’s Potomac River intake, so there is no impact on drinking water quality or service for Prince William Water customers. 

Fairfax Water also notes that there is no impact to the quality of water treated from the Occoquan Reservoir as that body of water is separate from the Potomac River.  

You can read more about this issue in a news update from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

What is the source of my drinking water?

Customers living in Prince William County receive drinking water from different sources based on their location.

Households in eastern and central Prince William County, such as in Dumfries, Occoquan, Carter’s Grove, Woodbridge, Triangle and Hoadly Road, receive water sourced from the Occoquan Reservoir and treated at Fairfax Water’s Frederick P. Griffith Water Treatment Plant.

Customers in western Prince William County, Greater Manassas and Manassas South receive water that is a blend of water sourced from the Potomac River and treated at Fairfax Water’s James J. Corbalis, Jr. Water Treatment Plant along with water from Lake Manassas treated at City of Manassas’ water treatment plant.

A small cluster of customers in the Bull Run Mountain/Evergreen neighborhoods receive their water from six wells treated with sodium hydroxide to prevent plumbing corrosion.

For more information about our water quality, visit our Water Quality and Supply FAQs.