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As part of the Master Plan Addendum, Prince William Water explored the feasibility of a water re-use program for the Digital Gateway. While the study did not indicate that water re-use is viable for the Digital Gateway, this does not preclude considering water re-use for other projects.

No, Prince William Water has a strong and efficient planning process to monitor water capacity, use and timing of future demand to plan for purchasing additional water capacity. Prince William Water’s planning aligns with the Prince William County Comprehensive Plan and relevant land use policies. Additional purchased capacity must be timed in coordination with required infrastructure improvements for both Prince William Water and Fairfax Water, since purchasing additional capacity and delivering more drinking water may require infrastructure improvements.

In December 2022, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved a revised Comprehensive Plan that removed public sewer restrictions in the Rural Area. Prince William Water conducted a Master Plan Addendum, which indicated that demands required by the updated Comprehensive Plan, including the Digital Gateway, may require additional water supply capacity to be purchased in the future. As noted, Prince William Water has the ability to purchase additional capacity from Fairfax Water when needed.  

However, the absence of water and sewer infrastructure in any given part of Prince William County is not an impediment to development under Prince William Water’s “growth pays for growth” policy, which requires that infrastructure extensions be designed, constructed and paid for by development applicants to serve their development.  

Yes. Prince William Water can support development activity as envisioned in the Prince William County Comprehensive Plan, including the latest Comprehensive Plan update which included the Digital Gateway, with capacity currently owned by Prince William Water supplemented with the purchase of additional capacity when needed from Fairfax Water.  

As specific land use applications are submitted with the related water requirements, Prince William Water will continuously monitor and assess the availability of existing water supply and, if necessary, the required timing to purchase additional capacity from Fairfax Water. Any additional capacity from Fairfax Water would be withdrawn from the Potomac River. 

Prince William Water continually plans for water and sewer infrastructure improvements that are needed to support development activity. 

Prince William Water annually assesses water needs against the Prince William County Comprehensive Plan, ensuring supply meets demand through the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments (MWCOG) planning timeline (currently 2045). Prince William Water closely monitors new demand requirements and regularly discusses demands and timing with project applicants. Prince William Water staff reviews various development scenarios and requirements to assess the timing of necessary water supply capacity increases and any required infrastructure improvements. 

Prince William Water is aware of the September 2024 U.S. District Court ruling from California regarding fluoride in drinking water. Prince William Water purchases our drinking water wholesale from Fairfax Water and the City of Manassas, both of which are awaiting guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Virginia Department of Health on this matter.

Currently, both Fairfax Water and the City of Manassas add fluoride to drinking water at or near 0.7 parts per million (ppm), following federal and state public health agency standards, including the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Fluoride is added to drinking water to serve a public health goal to decrease the occurrence and severity of tooth decay and reduce the risk of dental fluorosis.  VDH, CDC and Fairfax Water have additional information and data on fluoridation on their websites at the following:

• Virginia Department of Health
• Fairfax Water
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Fairfax Water supplies potable water from the Occoquan Reservoir, meeting all regulatory standards for East Prince William County. Prince William Water remains confident in Fairfax Water's quality. Stormwater management and land use decisions rest with Prince William County, supported by regional collaboration to maintain water quality.