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Politics & Government

Council Discusses Water With Board of Supervisors

Residents of the Raspberry Falls community have continued to express interest in a water supply from the Town of Leesburg. Both the Town Council and Board of Supervisors discussed the issue on Monday.

The Town Council made it very clear to the Board of Supervisors Monday night that the majority of its members are not interested in providing water to anyone outside of town limits.

However, there has been some consideration regarding Raspberry Falls, whose residents have recently expressed interest in obtaining water from the town.

The community has been concerned for a number of years regarding the quality of their drinking water, which is currently supplied by Loudoun Water.  on how their current water system might change.

Many council members said it's not that they don't want to help. There is just some concern regarding the amount of money that would have to be spent in order to extend a pipeline to the nearby community. 

“We would be taking on more than just running water,” Mayor Kristen Umstattd said.

Councilman Dave Butler said he doesn’t want the Town Council to take on such a large responsibility while Councilman Marty Martinez expressed concerns regarding loss of water.

The pipes would have to be flushed at least once a month, he said, which would waste a lot of water.  

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Supervisor Geary Higgins (R - Catoctin District) said he wasn't sure if a pipeline is the ultimate solution but it could be doable and affordable at the end of the day.

He suggested that at least two council members participate in a task force to explore whatever options are available. The task force could also consist of local citizens, members of Loudoun Water, Board of Supervisors, and Department of Environmental Quality.

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It was also suggested that the Town Council consider selling water to Raspberry Falls at a bulk rate. The majority of council members felt it wouldn’t be right to charge a different rate compared to what’s currently being paid by utility customers located out-of-town. Umstattd added that it might be a challenge to explain to customers why there is such a difference.

Chairman Scott York (R - At Large) said he looks forward to ongoing discussions to find a possible solution. There are issues that need to be dealt with, he said. 

The Town Council and Board of Supervisors continued Monday night's discussion with a number of other topics. Click below to be directed to those articles:

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