Contamination on Rapidan Raises Concerns Downriver
Spotsylvania and Stafford counties have stopped drawing water from the Rappahannock as a precaution, state health department says.
By Hank Silverberg
CORRESPONDENT
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A warning from the Rapidan Service Authority not to use tap water due to contamination has led to precautions being taken in communities along the Rappahannock as well.
The warning was issued last night after local residents in Orange County complained of odor in their water, which comes from the Rapidan River. Tests are being conducted, but it could take at least 48 hours for results, according to the state health department.
The Rapidan feeds the Rappahannock River, raising concern that the contamination may spread. But so far, there have been no warnings or advisories issued in communities downstream.
State health department spokeswoman Brookie Crawford says that as a precaution, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties have stopped drawing water from the Rappahannock River and will rely on water already stored in reservoirs such as Motts Run in Spotsylvania.
Crawford says health officials will decide today if any advisories will be issued regarding swimming or fishing in the Rappahannock.
Fredericksburg City and Spotsylvania County issued the following joint statement at 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon:
Spotsylvania County and the City of Fredericksburg are aware of the current situation in Orange County, Virginia regarding the Rapidan Service Authority in its response to water quality concerns from a water source, which is the Rapidan River that flows into the Rappahannock River. Currently, the Motts Run Water Treatment Plant, which provides drinking water to the City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County, is utilizing the Motts Run Reservoir as its sole source of raw water while the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality complete their investigation along the Rapidan River. There is no impact to public drinking water customers in Spotsylvania and the City of Fredericksburg.
The areas affected by the Rapidan Service Authority’s “Do Not Use” tap water advisory include Lake of the Woods, Wilderness Shores, Somerset, Edgewood, Germanna Heights, Twin Lakes, and the State Route 3 corridor.
Residents in the affected area should avoid all contact with the tap water until further notice; toilets can be flushed. Only bottled water and bulk water should be used for all drinking, beverage and food preparation (including baby formula and juice), making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or clothes, washing hands, and bathing. Those affected should not try to treat the water themselves. Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting the water stand will not make the water safe, according to the health department.
At this time, no swimming or fish consumption advisories are being issued. A survey of the Rapidan River by boat and by foot to evaluate potential odor sources did not reveal any obvious sources and no odors were noted by staff while traversing the waterway.
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