After a careful review, the Wastewater Management staff recommended to increase the sewer charges by 5.95 percent in FY 2023. The Sewer Service Charge will increase from $7. 72 to $8.09 per 1,000 gallons of water consumed based on Fairfax County
Fairfax County
Fairfax County, officially the County of Fairfax is located in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Part of Northern Virginia, Fairfax County borders both the City of Alexandria and Arlington County and forms part of the suburban ring of Washington, DC. The county is thus predo…
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How is wastewater treated in Fairfax County?
Wastewater is conveyed to one of six regional treatment facilities through several service agreements. Fairfax County’s wastewater treatment plant treats about 40 percent of the wastewater flowing through the system each day. Our advanced wastewater treatment plant treats approximately 40 million gallons of wastewater every day.
Are Fairfax Water rates the lowest in the region?
Fairfax Water rates remain among the lowest in the region. Click here to view a comparison chart of local water rates. As a non-profit public utility, Fairfax Water is mandated to charge only for the actual cost of providing water service to our customers.
What are the challenges Fairfax Water is facing?
For example, one of the major challenges we face is probably familiar to you - the ever-rising cost for fuel and power. Fairfax Water also has a Strategic Financial Planning Model and we ensure that any proposed increases in rates, fees, and charges are consistent with this model.
Does Fairfax County locate and Mark private sanitary sewer laterals?
Fairfax County does not locate and/or mark private sanitary sewer laterals that extend from the building to the Fairfax County sanitary sewer-main line.
What is wastewater management?
Our Wastewater Management program protects public health and water quality through the collection and treatment of wastewater in one of the nation’s largest sanitary sewer systems. Learn More About Wastewater Management
How does a sewer overflow affect the water quality?
Sanitary sewer overflows can also cause poor water quality in lakes, rivers, streams, and pollute groundwater, and they can cause economic damage by hurting water-dependent businesses such as fishing and tourism. Typical signs of an overflow include: Water flowing from manholes.
What is a low pressure sewer system?
Low pressure sewer systems use grinder pumps to grind the sewage from your home (much like a garbage disposal in your kitchen) and pump the sewage through small pipes to the Wastewater Collection System. Low pressure systems are sometimes used in areas which cannot be served by gravity pipes.
Can you pour disinfectant in drains?
You can also pour a household disinfectant in all drains. If this does not solve the problem, contact the 24-hour Trouble Response Center at 703-323-1211 | TTY 711. If you detect an odor outside your home, contact the 24-hour Trouble Response Center immediately.
How does wastewater flow?
Wastewater follows a different path than stormwater runoff, which flows directly into nearby waterways. A separate network of underground pipes conveys used water from homes and businesses to wastewater treatment plants. The treated water is then released into a nearby waterway.
How does a sewer overflow affect the water quality?
Sanitary sewer overflows can also cause poor water quality in lakes, rivers, streams, and pollute groundwater, and they can cause economic damage by hurting water-dependent businesses such as fishing and tourism. Typical signs of an overflow include: Water flowing from manholes.
What is the number to call for sanitary sewer backup?
Sanitary Sewer Emergencies. Call the 24-hour Trouble Response Center: 703-323-1211 | TTY 711. Always call the county prior to calling a plumber when you experience a sanitary sewer backup and you feel that the problem is in the county sewer main line.
What is a low pressure sewer system?
Low pressure sewer systems use grinder pumps to grind the sewage from your home (much like a garbage disposal in your kitchen) and pump the sewage through small pipes to the Wastewater Collection System. Low pressure systems are sometimes used in areas which cannot be served by gravity pipes.
Can you pour disinfectant in drains?
You can also pour a household disinfectant in all drains. If this does not solve the problem, contact the 24-hour Trouble Response Center at 703-323-1211 | TTY 711. If you detect an odor outside your home, contact the 24-hour Trouble Response Center immediately.
Is Fairfax County's sewer system operating?
The Sewer Certification Report, prepared in accordance with Fairfax County's bond resolution, confirms that the Fairfax County Wastewater Management Program is satisfactorily operating and maintaining the County's wastewater system and the Program's budget is sufficient to meet operational, maintenance, debt service and capital "Pay-as-You-Go" (PAYGO) funding needs.
Why are sewer rates increasing in Chesapeake Bay?
Sewer rates are also increasing to cover the cost of replacing our aging sewer system. The county still has one of the lowest rates in the region. Learn More.
What is a sewer base charge?
Commercial customers who use the county’s sanitary sewer system, but obtain water from a well, are charged based on the number of fixture units in the commercial building. A Sewer Base Charge, for all customers, became effective with the billing period beginning July 1, 2009. The base fee is to partially recover fixed expenses for billing, ...
Do you get charged for sewer use outside during summer?
This prevents residential customers from being charged for sewer use on water used outdoors during the summer. Residential customers who use the county’s sanitary sewer system, but obtain water from a well, are charged based on the number of persons residing in the home.
What is the number to call for a septic system in Fairfax County?
For more information on septic systems, please visit the Division of Environmental Health website or call them at 703-246-2201, TTY 711.
Where is wastewater collected?
Wastewater from households and industries is collected in sanitary sewers, and usually treated at one of the treatment plants in our region. After treatment, the wastewater is discharged to its receiving water (e.g., a river, an estuary or an ocean).
What is the number to call for sanitary sewer backup?
Sanitary Sewer Emergencies. Call the 24-hour Trouble Response Center: 703-323-1211 | TTY 711. Always call the county prior to calling a plumber when you experience a sanitary sewer backup and you feel that the problem is in the county sewer main line.
What is a low pressure sewer system?
Low pressure sewer systems use grinder pumps to grind the sewage from your home (much like a garbage disposal in your kitchen) and pump the sewage through small pipes to the Wastewater Collection System. Low pressure systems are sometimes used in areas which cannot be served by gravity pipes.
How does a sewer overflow affect the water quality?
Sanitary sewer overflows can also cause poor water quality in lakes, rivers, streams, and pollute groundwater, and they can cause economic damage by hurting water-dependent businesses such as fishing and tourism. Typical signs of an overflow include: Water flowing from manholes.
Can you pour disinfectant in drains?
You can also pour a household disinfectant in all drains. If this does not solve the problem, contact the 24-hour Trouble Response Center at 703-323-1211 | TTY 711. If you detect an odor outside your home, contact the 24-hour Trouble Response Center immediately.
Parts of a Wastewater Treatment System
Wastewater treatment systems contain several parts, each vital for efficient operation. It’s important to understand each part of a wastewater treatment system before planning and constructing one.
Planning a Wastewater Management Project
Early in the planning stage, it’s best to understand all industry standards and regulations thoroughly. Doing so allows for fundamental decision-making, such as determining target purity. Industry standards may be complex when involving high-pollutant wastewater or high purity effluent standards.
Why Is Wastewater Management So Expensive? Important Factors to Consider
Both residential and industrial water treatment can be expensive. Treatment systems utilize advanced technology, often involving large equipment in multistage facilities. Many different factors influence the cost of a wastewater treatment system, including the following:
Increased vs. Decreased System Automation
An increased level of automation serves several purposes. It minimizes the risk of human error and decreases long-term labor costs. High automation may reduce the lifetime operating costs of a wastewater treatment system. Automated equipment and features tend to be more expensive than their manual counterparts. Initial expenses might be greater.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Water Treatment Plant?
Keep in mind, the construction or installation period can take weeks, months or even years, depending on the scope and complexity. The installation timeframe is an important factor to consider, as longer timeframes incur greater costs.
How Expensive Is the Process of Filtering?
Once a system is installed, filtering costs vary. In many cases, systems with high initial values offer favorable upkeep costs. For instance, inexpensive systems may require more frequent filter changes for adequate function. Consider the long-term filtering costs of your chosen wastewater treatment system type.
Average Cost of a Wastewater Treatment Plant
Wastewater treatment plant costs vary by system type, industry, location and other factors. When determining a price estimate, consider these factors and the impact they might have.
Fairfax Water Rates, Fees and Charges
As a non-profit public utility, Fairfax Water is mandated to charge only for the actual cost of providing water service to our customers. We conduct Cost of Service studies to evaluate this cost and look closely at population projections, average per capita water usage, and projected inflation rates.
Fairfax Water Current Rates, Fees and Charges
Below is a summary list of Fairfax Water’s current rates, fees, and charges as of April 1, 2021.
Planning for the Future
Another challenge we face is planning for the future. At Fairfax Water, we have plans in place to meet water demands through 2040 and we’re working on plans to ensure our distribution system remains strong through this century. Click here to read more.