REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY PLAN

FOR

Albemarle County City of Charlottesville Town of Scottsville

Prepared by Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority

Charlottesville, Virginia
September 30, 2011
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………… 6
2.0 EXISTING WATER SOURCE INFORMATION (9 VAC 25-780-70)…………………….. 7
2.1 Community Water Systems Using Groundwater………………………………………. 7
2.1.1 Bedford Hills…………………………………………………………………… 8
2.1.2 Burton Court Apartments……………………………………………………… 8
2.1.3 Earlysville Forest……………………………………………………………… 9
2.1.4 Faith Mission Home…………………………………………………………… 11
2.1.5 Forest Lodge Subdivision……………………………………………………… 11
2.1.6 Glenair Subdivision……………………………………………………………. 12
2.1.7 Innisfree Village……………………………………………………………….. 12
2.1.8 Ivy Farms………………………………………………………………………. 13
2.1.9 Keswick Estates……………………………………………………………….. 13
2.1.10 Langford Subdivision………………………………………………………….. 14
2.1.11 Little Keswick School…………………………………………………………. 14
2.1.12 Miller School of Albemarle……………………………………………………. 15
2.1.13 Oak Hill Trailer Park…………………………………………………………... 16
2.1.14 Peacock Hill Subdivision……………………………………………………… 16
2.1.15 Corville Farm Subdivision…………………………………………………….. 18
2.1.16 Woods Edge Subdivision……………………………………………………… 18
2.1.17 Red Hill………………………………………………………………………… 18
2.2 Community Water Systems Using Surface Water Reservoirs and Stream Intakes…….. 19
2.2.1 ACSA Urban Area……………………………………………………………... 20
2.2.2 City of Charlottesville Distribution System…………………………………… 21
2.2.3 ACSA Crozet………………………………………………………………….. 22
2.2.4 ACSA Scottsville………………………………………………………………. 22
2.3 Non-Agricultural Self-Supplied Users of More Than 300,000 Gallons per Month of
Surface Water…………………………………………………………………………… 24
2.3.1 Meadowcreek Golf Course…………………………………………………….. 24
2.3.2 Farmington Country Club……………………………………………………… 24
2.3.3 Glenmore Country Club……………………………………………………….. 24
2.3.4 Ivy Creek Golf Course…………………………………………………………. 24

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

2.3.5 Red Hill Quarry………………………………………………………………. 24

2.4 Non-Agricultural Self Supplied Users of More Than 300,000 Gallons per Month of
Groundwater…………………………………………………………………………… 25
2.4.1 Red Hill Quarry……………………………………………………………….. 25
2.4.2 Cooper Industries……………………………………………………………… 25
2.5 Water Purchased or Available for Purchase Outside the Planning Area………………. 25
2.6 Agricultural Users of More Than 300,000 Gallons per Month of Surface or
Groundwater……………………………………………………………………………. 25
2.7 Population of Users Self Supplied by Individual Wells Withdrawing Less Than
300,000 Gallons per Month……………………………………………………………. 25
2.8 Findings and Recommendations from Source Water Assessment Plans or Wellhead
Protection Programs……………………………………………………………………. 26
3.0 EXISTING WATER USE INFORMATION (9 VAC 25-780-80)………………………….. 27
3.1 Municipal Community Water Systems………………………………………………… 27
3.1.1 ACSA Red Hill………………………………………………………………… 27
3.1.2 ACSA Urban Area…………………………………………………………….. 27
3.1.3 City of Charlottesville…………………………………………………………. 27
3.1.4 ACSA Crozet………………………………………………………………….. 29
3.1.5 ACSA Scottsville……………………………………………………………… 29
3.2 Private Community Water Systems……………………………………………………. 29
3.3 Non-Agricultural Self Supplied Users of More Than 300,000 Gallons per Month of
Surface and Groundwater within the Service Area of Community Water Systems…… 30
3.4 Non-Agricultural Self Supplied Users of More Than 300,000 Gallons per Month of
Surface and Groundwater outside the Service Area of Community Water Systems….. 30
3.5 Agricultural Users of More Than 300,000 Gallons per Month of Surface and
Groundwater within or outside the Service Area of Community Water Systems…….. 30
3.6 Users Self Supplied by Individual Wells Withdrawing Less Than 300,000 Gallons per
Month within and outside of the Service Area of a Community Water System………. 31
4.0 EXISTING RESOURCE INFORMATION (9 VAC 25-780-90)…………………………… 32
4.1 Geologic, Hydrologic, and Meteorological Data (9VAC 25-780-90)…………………. 32
4.1.1 Physiology…………………………………………………………………….. 32
4.1.2 Geology………………………………………………………………………. 32
4.1.3 Soils…………………………………………………………………………… 33
4.1.4 Surface Hydrology……………………………………………………………. 33

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

4.1.5 Subsurface Hydrology and Hydrogeologic Data……………………………… 34

4.1.6 Meteorological Data…………………………………………………………… 36
4.2 State of Federal Listed Threatened or Endangered Species or Habitat of Concern
(Section 90 B.1)………………………………………………………………………… 36
4.3 Anadromous, Trout, and Other Significant Fisheries (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.2)………… 38
4.4 Scenic Rivers and Rivers with Recreational Significance (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.3)…… 39
4.5 Sites of Historic or Archaeological Significance (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.4)…………….. 42
4.6 Unusual Geologic Formations and Special Soil Types (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.5)………. 48
4.7 Wetlands (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.6)……………………………………………………… 49
4.8 Riparian Buffers and Conservation Easements (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.7)………………. 52
4.8.1 Riparian Buffers………………………………………………………………... 52
4.8.2 Conservation and Land Easements…………………………………………….. 52
4.9 Land Use and Land Coverage (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.8)………………………………... 54
4.9.1 Source Water Assessment Program……………………………………………. 57
4.10 Impaired Streams (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.9)……………………………………………... 59
4.11 Point Source Discharges (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.10)…………………………………….. 64
4.12 Other Potential Threats to Existing Water Quantity and Quality
(9 VAC 25-780-90 B.11)……………………………………………………………….. 66
5.0 PROJECTED WATER DEMAND INFORMATION………………………………………. 68
6.0 WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT……………………………………………………….. 69
6.1 Efficient Water Use through Ordinance Requirements………………………………… 69
6.2 Reduction of Water Use through Conservation Incentives…………………………….. 69
6.3 Reduction of Water Loss through System Operation and Maintenance……………….. 70
7.0 DROUGHT RESPONSE and contingency plans (9 VAC 25-780-120)…………………….. 72
7.1 Background and Purpose……………………………………………………………….. 72
7.2 Existing Water Sources…………………………………………………………………. 73
7.3 Summary of Urban System……………………………………………………………... 73
7.4 RWSA Water Supply System Operating Procedures………………………………….. 74
7.5 Emergency Water Sources……………………………………………………………… 75
7.5.1 Beaver Creek Reservoir………………………………………………………... 75
7.5.2 Chris Greene Lake……………………………………………………………... 76
7.5.3 Lake Albemarle………………………………………………………………… 76
7.6 Identifying Drought Conditions………………………………………………………… 76
7.7 Notification of Drought Conditions…………………………………………………….. 78

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

7.8 Implementation of Water Restrictions…………………………………………………. 79

7.8.1 Albemarle County Service Authority.......……………………………………... 79
7.8.2 City of Charlottesville…………………………………………………………. 79
7.8.3 Albemarle County……………………………………………………………… 79
7.9 Public Awareness and Education………………………………………………………. 79
7.10 Formal Review of Drought Response………………………………………………….. 79
8.0 STATEMENT OF NEED AND ALTERNATIVES (9 VAC 25-780-130)…………………. .80
8.1 ACSA Urban Area and City of Charlottesville System………………………………… 80

8.1.1 Alternatives Analysis for ACSA Urban Area and City of Charlottesville
System…………………………………………………………………………. 80

8.2 ACSA Crozet…………………………………………………………………………… 83

8.3 ACSA Scottsville……………………………………………………………………….. 83

8.4 Community Water Systems Using Groundwater and Self-Supplied Users…………….. 83

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) is a regional non-profit corporation and political
subdivision of the Commonwealth chartered in 1972 under the Virginia Water and Waste Authorities Act
(1950, as amended). RWSA supplies drinking water to and treats the sewage of the City of
Charlottesville and certain areas of Albemarle County. RWSA is a wholesale agency with two customers:
The City of Charlottesville and the Albemarle County Service Authority. RWSA operates three water
treatment plants (WTPs) to serve the City and portions of Albemarle County with the urban area near the
City. Additionally, RWSA operates separate water treatment plants for service to the Crozet area and to
the Town of Scottsville, providing wholesale water for these communities through the Albemarle County
Service Authority.

This regional water supply plan was developed by the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority for the County
of Albemarle, the City of Charlottesville, and the Town of Scottsville to comply with the State Water
Control Board’s Local and Regional Water Supply Planning Regulation (9VAC 25-780-10 through
9VAC 25-780-190). This regulation requires that all counties, cities, and towns in the Commonwealth of
Virginia submit a local water supply plan or participate in a regional planning unit in the submittal of a
regional water supply plan to the State Water Control Board. In May 2006 the City Council of the City of
Charlottesville, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, and the Town Council of the Town of
Scottsville each passed resolutions authorizing the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority to develop a
regional water supply plan to meet this mandate.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

2.0 EXISTING WATER SOURCE INFORMATION (9 VAC 25-780-70)

Section 70 of the regulations requests localities within the planning area to submit information regarding
their existing water sources, including groundwater, surface water reservoirs, and stream intakes. Please
note that all associated Excel spreadsheets for Section 70 are attached as Appendix A and are included on
a CD at the back of this report.

2.1 Community Water Systems Using Groundwater

In 2009, there were 17 Community Water Systems (CWS) in Albemarle County that produce and
distribute drinking water. These systems are listed and described below, and more detailed information
on each system can be found in Appendix A.

Table 2-1: Community Water Systems Using Groundwater

PWSID System Name Number of Wells Number of

Connections

2003150 Bedford Hills 2 27

2003175 Burton Court Apartments 1 22

2003255 Earlysville Forest 8 194

2003260 Faith Mission Home 2 5

2003262 Forest Lodge Subdivision 1 13

2003275 Glenaire Subdivision 2 36

2003342 Innisfree Village 2 4

2003355 Ivy Farms Water Company 1 22

2003400 Keswick Estates 3 67

2003440 Langford Subdivision 1 37

2003443 Little Keswick School 3 4

2003475 Miller School 2 33

2003575 Oak Hill Trailer Park 1 18

2003650 Peacock Hill Subdivision 7 166

2003850 Corville Farm Subdivision 1 17

2003950 Woods Edge Subdivision 1 41

2003054 Red Hill 1 12

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

2.1.1 Bedford Hills

System Overview

The Bedford Hills Subdivision public water supply consists of 2 drilled wells (originally operated 4
drilled wells), a 15,000 gallon atmospheric storage tank, dual booster pumps, and a 1,000 gallon
hydropneumatic tank. The permitted system capacity is limited to 33 residential connections plus 1,920
gpd limited by available source capacities.

Source Water

Well No. 2 is located 200 yards west of the junction of Staunton Drive and Culpeper Drive in the
subdivision. The well casing terminates 12 inches above a concrete floor and is provided with a sanitary
seal, screened vent, and sampling tap. Water is pumped from the well directly to the 15,000 gallon
storage tank. The well is enclosed with a bermed 3-foot diameter concrete pipe with a concrete cover.
The well yield is unknown.

Well No. 4 is located approximately 100 yards west of the junction of Staunton Drive and Culpeper Drive
in the subdivision, near the old Well No.1 / Pump house compound. The well is 10 inches in diameter
from 0 to 51 feet, and 6 inches in diameter from 51 feet to the total depth of 585 feet. It is cased with 6
inch steel casing from 24 inches above the surface to a depth of 51 feet and is pressure grouted with neat
cement grout to a depth of 50 feet. The well is equipped with a 3 hp submersible pump rated at 12 gpm at
580 feet TDH. Well yield is estimated at 21 gpm; however a formal 48 hour pump test was not
performed and therefore yield is considered to be unknown. The well is equipped with a sanitary seal,
screened vent, sampling tap, and has a regulation concrete pad. (Virginia Department of Health,
Engineering Description Sheet, October 17, 1994).

2.1.2 Burton Court Apartments

System Overview

The Burton Court public water system consists of a singled drilled well, a 110 gallon pressure tank and
treatment equipment. The well yield and pump capacity are unknown. Due to the lack of well and well
pump information and the absence of any meaningful storage, the design capacity of Burton Court
Apartments is limited to the existing 26 connections.

Source Water

The well is located in a 7 foot by 7 foot by 8 foot deep concrete vault which rises 1 foot above ground
level. The vault is located behind the first apartment at the Lams Road end of the complex. The well is
cased with 6 inch steel casing that extends 12 inches above the vault floor and is equipped with a sanitary
seal and screened vent. Other well construction details and the reliable well yield are not known. Water
is pumped from the well by a submersible pump of unknown capacity into a 110 gallon pressure tank and
into the distribution system. (Virginia Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet, July 20,
2009).

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

2.1.3 Earlysville Forest

System Overview

This waterworks consists of eight active drilled wells (a ninth well is unused and not permitted as part of
the waterworks), one 61,550 gallon ground storage tank, two 800 gallon hydropneumatic tanks, dual
booster pumps, two treatment buildings, and the distribution system. The waterworks is permitted for a
design capacity of 36,360 gpd due to limited source capacity.

Source Water

Well No. 1 is located on the north side of Lot No. 20 off Stillwater Lane in the subdivision. The well was
drilled in May 1981 and is 10 inches in diameter to a depth of 52 feet and 6 inches in diameter from 52
feet to 297 feet. The well is cased with 6 inch steel casing and cement grouted to a depth of 52 feet. The
well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot concrete pad and is equipped with a sanitary seal,
screened casing vent, sample tap and totalizing flow meter. The well head is protected by a wooden well
house. A 48-hour yield test conducted in November 2005 determined the well yield to be 2.5 gpm. The
well is equipped with a submersible pump rated for 15 gpm at 300 feet TDH. Water is pumped from the
well to Treatment Building No. 1 and then to the ground storage tank.

Well No. 2 is located on the northwestern corner of Lot 21 off Stillwater Lane in the subdivision. The
well, drilled in February 1983, is 10 inches in diameter to a depth of 50 feet and 6 ¼ inches in diameter
from 50 feet to 325 feet. The well is cased with 6 inch steel casing to a depth of 51 feet and cement
grouted to a depth of 50 feet. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot diameter concrete pad and
is equipped with a pitless adapter, sanitary seal, screened casing vent, frost free hydrant sample tap and
totalizing flow meter. A 48-hour yield test conducted in November 2005 determined the well yield to be
1.25 gpm. The well is equipped with a 2 HP submersible pump rated for 14 gpm. Water is pumped from
the well to Treatment Building No. 1 and then to the ground storage tank.

Well No. 3 is located on the northwestern corner of Lot No. 21 of Stillwater Lane in the subdivision. The
well, drilled in March 1986, is 10 inches is diameter to a depth of 54 feet and 6 inches in diameter from
54 feet to 340 feet. The well is cased with 6 inch steel casing to a depth of 52 feet and cement grouted to
a depth of 50 feet. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot diameter concrete pad and is
equipped with a pitless adapter, sanitary seal, screened casing vent, frost free hydrant sample tap and
totalizing flow meter. A 48-hour yield test conducted in November 2005 determined the well yield to be
2.5 gpm. The well is equipped with a ¾ HP submersible pump rated for 7 gpm. Water is pumped from
the well to Treatment Building No. 1 and then to the ground storage tank.

Well No. 4 is located on the southwestern corner of Lot No. 49 off Earlysville Forest Drive in the
subdivision. The well, drilled in February 1983, is 10 inches in diameter to a depth of 50 feet and 6 ¼
inches in diameter from 50 to 325 feet. The well is cased with 6 inch steel casing to a depth of 50 feet
and cement grouted to the same depth. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot
concrete pad and is equipped with a pitless adapter, sanitary seal, screened casing vent, frost free hydrant
sample tap and totalizing flow meter. A 48-hour yield test conducted in November 2005 determined the
well yield to be 3.2 gpm. The well is equipped with a 3 HP submersible pump rated for 25 gpm. Water is
pumped from the well to Treatment Building No. 1 and then to the ground storage tank.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Well No. 5 is located adjacent to Lot No. 25 off Stillwater Lane in the subdivision. The well, reworked
and deepened in March 2001, is 10 inches in diameter to a depth of 51 feet and 6 inches in diameter from
51 feet to 605 feet. The well is cased with 6 inch steel casing to a depth of 50 feet and cement grouted to
the same depth. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot diameter concrete pad and is equipped
with a pitless adapter, sanitary seal, screened casing vent, raw sampling tap and totalizing flow meter. A
48-hour yield test determined the well yield to be 8 gpm. The well is equipped with a 2 HP submersible
pump rated for 20 gpm. Water is pumped from the well to Treatment Building No. 1 and then to the
ground storage tank.

Well No. 6 is located approximately 150 feet east of Well No. 5. The well, reworked and deepened in
March 2001, is 10 inches in diameter to a depth of 50 feet and 6 inches in diameter from 50 feet to 645
feet. The well is cased with 6 inches steel casing to a depth of 50 feet and cement grouted to the same
depth. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot diameter concrete pad and is equipped with a
pitless adapter, sanitary seal, screened casing vent, raw sampling tap, and totalizing flow meter. A 48-
hour yield test determined the well yield to be 8 gpm. The well is equipped with a 1.5 HP submersible
pump rated for 8 gpm. Water is pumped from the well to Treatment Building No. 1 and then to the
ground storage tank.

Well No. 7 is unused and not permitted as part of the waterworks.

Well No. 8 is located north of Lot No. 158 off Earlysville Forest Drive in the subdivision. The well,
drilled in April 1987, is 10 inches in diameter to a depth of 60 feet, 8 ¾ inches in diameter from 60 feet to
a depth of 78 feet, and 6 inches in diameter from 78 feet to a depth of 180 feet. The well is cased with 6
inch steel casing to a depth of 78.5 feet and cement grouted to depth of 53 feet. The well casing extends
12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch thick concrete pad and provided with a pitless adapter,
sanitary seal, screened casing vent, raw sampling tap and totalizing flow meter. A 48-hour yield test
conducted in October 2006 determined the well yield to be 18 gpm. The well is equipped with a 5 HP
submersible pump rated as 83 gpm at 147 TDH. Water is pumped from the well to Treatment Building
No. 2 and then to the distribution system. The current actual pumping rate is throttled to approximately
25 gpm.

Well No. 9 is located in open space on the southwestern corner of Earlysville Forest Drive and Beaver
Creek Road in the subdivision. The well was completed on September 28, 2007, and was modified on
May 1, 2008 to block a water bearing zone of poor quality. The well is 10 inches in diameter to a depth
of 53 feet and 6 inches in diameter from 53 feet to 605 feet. The well is cased with 6 inch steel casing to
a depth of 53 feet and cement grouted to a depth of 50 feet. An interior schedule 40 PVC casing was later
installed from 9 feet to 62 feet and grouted with neat cement. The well casing extends 12 inches above a
7 foot by 7 foot by 6 inch thick concrete pad and provided with a pitless adapter, sanitary seal, screened
casing vent, raw sampling tap, and totalizing flow meter. A 48-hour yield test conducted in August 2008
determined the well yield to be 2.0 gpm. The well is equipped with a ½ HP submersible pump rated at 2
gpm at 380 feet TDH. Water is pumped from the well to Treatment Building No. 2 and then to the
distribution system. (Virginia Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet, May 4, 2009).

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

2.1.4 Faith Mission Home

System Overview

Faith Mission Home is dormitory style, residential home for ambulatory brain-injured children. The
population consists of roughly 100 residents and live-in staff and 40 non-transient staff and students. The
waterworks consists of 2 drilled wells and has a permitted capacity of 5,200 gpd due to effective storage
capacity.

Source Water

Well No. 1 is located in a 3-foot diameter concrete pit approximately 75 feet north of the facility entrance.
The well is reported to be 280 feet deep. Other details of the well construction are unknown. A 48-hour
pump test indicated a reliable flow of 5 gpm. The well is equipped with a 1.5 HP submersible pump
capable of delivering 12.5 gpm at 170 feet TDH.

Well No. 2 is located 150 feet east of Route 601 and 350 feet north of the Albemarle-Greene County line.
The well, drilled in May 1980, is 10 inches in diameter to a depth of 50 feet and 6 inches in diameter from
50 feet to 150 feet. The well is cased with steel casing and is cement grouted to a depth of 50 feet. A 48-
hour drawdown test conducted in September 1980 determined the well yield to be 24 gpm with the water
level dropping from 11 feet to 74 feet. The well is equipped with a 1.5 HP submersible pump capable of
delivering 18 gpm at 208 feet TDH. (Virginia Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet,
April 20, 2008).

2.1.5 Forest Lodge Subdivision

System Overview

The Forest Lodge Subdivision waterworks consists of a single drilled well that pumps directly into the
nearby treatment building. An older well exists on site but is no longer used. This waterworks is limited
to a permitted capacity of 14 existing connections due to the absence of data on sustainable well yield and
pump capacity.

Source Water

Well No. 2 is located approximately 200 feet from the well house along the access road and was
constructed to II-B standards. A 10 inch hole was drilled to 50 feet and a 6 inch hole from 50 feet to 305
feet, which is the total depth of the well. The upper 50 feet is grouted with pressure pumped Portland
cement. The PVC casing extends to 74 feet, the depth to bedrock. The well casing extends 24 inches
above grade and is equipped with a sanitary seal, screened vent and pitless adapter. A 2 HP submersible
pump delivers water directly to the well house and on to distribution. Yield was estimated at the time it
was drilled to be at least 18 gpm; however a formal 48 hour pump test was not performed and therefore
yield is considered to be unknown. (Virginia Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet,
Undated).

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

2.1.6 Glenair Subdivision

System Overview

This waterworks consists of 2 drilled wells, four 1500 gallon ground storage tanks, for pre-pressurized
tanks and booster pumps. No reliable well yield data exists, so the permitted capacity is limited to the
existing 48 connections.

Source Water

Well No. 2 is located within the subdivision on Well Lot No. 2, at the end of Route 853. It is drilled to a
depth of 100.5 feet, cased to a depth of 50 feet, and cement grouted to a depth of 50 feet. The well casing
extends 12 inches above a concrete floor and is provided with a sanitary seal, screened vent, sampling tap,
and totalizing flow meter. Water is pumped from the well by means of a 0.75 HP submersible pump into
two 1500 gallon concrete reservoirs. The well is enclosed in a 9 foot by 13 foot by 7 foot high concrete
block well house. The reported yield from this well is 15 gpm; however a formal 48 hour pump test was
not performed and therefore yield is considered unknown.

Well 2B is located approximately 10 feet from the well house on Well Lot No. 2. It is drilled to a depth of
305 feet, cased to a depth of 50 feet, and cement grouted to a depth of 50 feet. The well casing extends 18
inches above a concrete pad and is provided with a sanitary well seal and pitless adapter. Water is
pumped from the well by means of a 0.5 HP submersible pump into the two 1500 gallon concrete
reservoirs. The reported yield of this well is 8 gpm; however a formal 48 hour pump test was not
performed and therefore yield is considered unknown. (Virginia Department of Health, Engineering
Description Sheet, May 18, 1993).

2.1.7 Innisfree Village

System Overview

Innisfree Village is a residential community with adults who have an intellectual disability. Residents and
their volunteer caregivers live together in 15 family-style homes on a 550-acre farm. This waterworks
consists of two drilled wells each with a submersible pump. Each discharges into a common distribution
system with two diaphragm type pressure tanks to buffer the pressure. Because of unknown source and
pumping capacity and storage volume the permitted capacity is limited to 80 residents and staff.

Source Water

The Amity Well is located behind the Amity Building. No information is known about the depth or
productivity of the well. The well has a sanitary seal, screened vent, and pitless adapter.

The Meadow Well is located 200 feet to the northwest of the Amity well. It was drilled in 1972 to a total
depth of 445 feet, is cased with 6 inch steel to 47 feet, and equipped with a sanitary seal, screened vent,
and pitless adapter. The driller assessed the well yield to be 12 gpm; however a 48 hour pump test was
not performed and therefore the yield is considered to be unknown. (Virginia Department of Health,
Engineering Description Sheet, November 1, 2001).

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

2.1.8 Ivy Farms

System Overview

This public water supply consists of a single drilled well, a 3,000 gallon storage tank, a 3,000 gallon
pressure tank, and an iron and manganese remove facility. The permitted system capacity is 8,000 gpd
based on effective storage capacity.

Source Water

The well is located on Lot No. 6 in the subdivision. The well is 10 inches in diameter from ground
surface to a depth of 100 feet and is 5 7/8 inches in diameter from 100 feet to a depth of 244 feet, the total
depth of the well. The well is cased with 6 inch casing and cement grouted to a depth of 100 feet. The
well sustained a reliable yield of 30 gpm following a 48-hour pump test. The 6 inch casing extends 12
inches above a concrete floor and is equipped with a sanitary seal, screened casing vent, sample tap, and
totalizing flow meter. Water is pumped from the well by means of a 3 HP 20 gpm submersible pump
which discharges to the iron and manganese removal facility and then to the 3,000 gallon storage tank.
(Virginia Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet, July 14, 2003).

2.1.9 Keswick Estates

System Overview

The Keswick Estates waterworks consists of three drilled wells (a fourth well is out of service and no
longer used), two 18,000 gallon welded steel gravity storage tanks, dual booster pumps, a single 6,000
gallon hydropneumatic tank, chlorine disinfection and distribution piping. The permitted system capacity
is 76,000 gpd based on effective storage capacity.

Source Water

Well No. 1 was completed in December 1985 and is located on the south side of Country Club Drive at its
intersection with Route 616. The well is 10 inches in diameter to a depth of 53 feet and 6 inches in
diameter from 53 feet to a depth of 305 feet. The well is cased with 6 inch diameter heavy steel casing
and is cement grouted to a depth of 53 feet. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot
by 6 inch thick concrete pad and is provided with a pitless adapter and sanitary well seal. A totalizing
flow meter and frost free hydrant are located on the well discharge line. The reliable well yield was
determined to be 42.6 gpm by a 72 hour yield and drawdown test performed in August 2005. The well is
equipped with a 5 HP submersible well pump with delivers 63 gpm to the gravity storage tanks.

Well No. 2 was completed in December 1985 and is located on the south side of Country Club Drive
adjacent to Lot No. 26. The well is 10 inches in diameter to a depth of 50 feet and 6 inches in diameter
from 50 feet to a depth of 247 feet. The well is cased with 6 inch diameter heavy steel casing and is
cement grouted to a depth of 50 feet. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6
inch thick concrete pad and is provided with a pitless adapter and sanitary well seal. A totalizing flow
meter and frost free hydrant are located on the well discharge line. The reliable well yield was
determined to be 13.3 gpm by a 48-hour yield and drawdown test performed in December 1985. The well
is equipped with a ¾ HP submersible pump which delivers 21 gpm to the gravity storage tanks.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Well No. 3 is out of service and is no longer used.

Well No. 4 was completed in June 2005 as a replacement for Well No. 3. The well is located
approximately 150 feet west of the existing treatment/control building. The well is drilled to a total depth
of 605 feet, is cased with 6 5/8 inch heavy steel casing to a depth of 103 feet and grouted with neat
cement grout to a depth of 100 feet. The well casing extends 24 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch
thick concrete pad and is equipped with a pitless adapter, sanitary seal and watertight cap. A sample tap
and totalizing flow meter are located in the control building. Water is pumped from the well by a 3 HP
submersible well pump which delivers 47 gpm into the gravity storage tanks. The pump is set at a depth
of 210 feet. A 72-hour yield test conducted in August 2005 indicated a yield of 44.7 gpm with a
stabilized water level of 150 feet. (Virginia Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet, March
19, 2010).

2.1.10 Langford Subdivision

System Overview

This system consists of one drilled well, and 8,000 gallon bulk storage tank, a 5,000 gallon
hydropneumatic tanks, treatment equipment and distribution lines. The permitted system capacity is
19,332 gpd based on limited storage capacity.

Source Water

The well is located on a dedicated lot adjacent to Lot 14 in the subdivision. It is drilled 10 inches in
diameter to 68 feet, 6 ¼ inches in diameter from 68 to 325 feet, and 6 inches in diameter from 325 to 345
feet, the total depth of the well. It is lined with steel casing and cement grouted both to a depth of 68 feet.
The well casing extends 12 inches above a 12 foot by 14 foot concrete slab and is equipped with a
sanitary seal screened vent and has an air line for a drawdown gauge. Water is pumped from the well by
means of a 5 HP submersible pump capable of delivering 36 gpm at 325 TDH to the 8,000 gallon storage
tank. The well in enclosed in a 12 foot by 14 foot by 8 foot concrete block well house with concrete
floor. The yield of the well is 36.5 gpm as determined by a 48 hour yield and drawdown test. (Virginia
Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet, October 16, 2007).

2.1.11 Little Keswick School

System Overview

The Little Keswick School waterworks consists of three drilled wells, a 2,500 gallon ground storage tank,
a variable speed pump and a treatment building. Well No. 4 is the primary source with Well Nos. 1 and 2
used as a backup in the event that Well No. 4 is unable to keep up with demand. All wells pump directly
to the treatment building for a series of treatment processes prior to the storage tank. Due to a lack of
reliable well yield data, the permitted capacity is limited to the existing 30 residential students and 45
transient staff.

Source Water

Well No. 1 is located adjacent to the treatment building. The well is equipped with a ¾ HP submersible
pump which delivers water to a common well discharge header with Well No. 2. Well No. 1 is believed

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

to have been drilled around 1970 to a total depth of 190 feet. There are no available records detailing
diameter, grouting, or well yield. Six-inch PVC well casing extends two feet above a 6 foot by 6 foot by
6 inch concrete pad and is protected from ultra violet light by a wooden cover. The well head is equipped
with a sanitary seal, screened vent, and pitless adapter.

Well No. 2 is located approximately 200 feet behind the railroad station. The well was drilled by Bedford
Well Drilling in February 2001 and meets well type II-B construction standards. The well is equipped
with a ¾ HP submersible pump which delivers water to a common well discharge header with Well No.
1. The well is drilled to a total depth of 200 feet, cased with heavy steel casing to a depth of 100 feet
(bedrock is at 25 feet) and cement grouted to a depth of 100 feet. The well yield was estimated by the
driller to be 15 gpm; however no formal well yield and drawdown test was performed so well yield is
considered to be unknown. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch concrete
pad and is equipped with a sanitary seal, watertight well cap, screened vent, and pitless adapter.

Well No. 4 is located just to the right (as entering) of the beginning of the entrance road. The well was
drilled by C.R. Moore Well Drilling in 2007 and meets well type II-B standards. The well is equipped
with a ¾ HP submersible pump which delivers 10 gpm at 260 TDH directly to the treatment building.
The well is drilled to a total depth of 200 feet, cased with heavy steel casing to a depth of 63 feet (bedrock
is at 56 feet) and cement grouted to a depth of 55 feet. The well yield was determined to be 22 gpm after
an 8 hour drawdown test. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch concrete
pad and is equipped with a sanitary seal, watertight well cap, screened vent, and pitless adapter. (Virginia
Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet, August 13, 2008).

2.1.12 Miller School of Albemarle

System Overview

The Miller School waterworks consists of two drilled wells, a 25,000 gallon storage tank, two 120 gallon
pre-pressurized tanks and treatment facilities. The permitted capacity is 44,400 gpd due to well yield.

Source Water

Well No. 2 is located near the 25,000 gallon gravity storage tank and was completed in May 2000. The
well is drilled to a total depth of 725 feet, cased with heavy steel casing to a depth of 87.5 feet, and
cement grouted to a depth of 63 feet. The well yield following a 48 hour pump test was 27.5 gpm. The
well casing extends 18 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch thick concrete pad and is equipped with a
sanitary seal, watertight well cap, screened vent and pitless adapter. A 5 HP submersible pump delivers
30 gpm at 405 feet TDH through the treatment building and into the 25,000 gallon gravity tank.

Well No. 3 is located approximately 100 yards southeast of the storage tank and was completed in
November 2000. The well is drilled to a total depth of 398 feet, cased with heavy steel casing to a depth
of 94 feet, and cement grouted to a depth of 52 feet. The well yield following a 48 hour pump test was 28
gpm. The well casing extends 18 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch thick concrete pad and is
equipped with a sanitary seal, watertight well cap, screened vent and pitless adapter. A 5 HP submersible
pump delivers 20 gpm at 545 TDH through the treatment building and into the 25,000 gallon gravity tank.
(Virginia Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet, February 7, 2007).

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

2.1.13 Oak Hill Trailer Park

System Overview

This system is composed of a drilled well, 2,000 gallon storage/contact tank, submersible transfer pump,
286 gallon pressure tank, and disinfection. The permitted capacity is limited to the existing 28 mobile
homes based on limited storage capacity.

Source Water

Well No. 1 was redrilled in October 1993 to a new depth of 365 feet. The 50 feet of 6 inch casing
remained in place along the grout of unknown depth. In addition, the casing was brought above ground
and equipped with a sanitary seal, screened vent, and 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch thick concrete pad. Water
is pumped from the well by a submersible pump of unknown capacity into a 2,000 gallon concrete storage
tank equipped with level controls prior to treatment. (Virginia Department of Health, Engineering
Description Sheet, January 10, 1995).

2.1.14 Peacock Hill Subdivision

System Overview

The Peacock Hill Subdivision public waterworks consists of 7 drilled wells (and eighth well has been
taken out of service), a 25,000 gallon ground storage tank, dual booster pumps and a 15,000 gallon
ground storage tank. The permitted capacity is limited to 80,000 gpd due to available effective storage
capacity.

Source Water

Well No. 1 is located at Turkey Ridge and Big Oak Roads in the subdivision. The well is 10 inches in
diameter to a depth of 71 feet and 6 3/8 inches in diameter from a depth of 71 feet to 305 feet. It is drilled
to a depth of 305 feet, cased to a depth of 71 feet with 6 ½ inch casing, and cement grouted to a depth of
71 feet. The well casing terminated 14 inches above a concrete floor and is provided with a sanitary seal,
screened vent, and sampling tap. Water is pumped from the well by means of a 36 gpm submersible
pump at 395 TDH into the 25,000 gallon ground storage tank. The well is enclosed in a 6.3 foot by 6.3
foot by 6 foot frame well house. The reported yield from the well is 38 gpm.

Well No. 2 is located at the end of Turkey Ridge Road on Lot 64 of the subdivision. The well is 10 inches
in diameter from 0 to 50 feet and 6 ¼ inches in diameter from 50 to 450 feet, the total depth of the well.
The well is cased with a 6 inch casing to a depth of 51 feet and grouted with cement grout to a depth of 50
feet. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch thick concrete pad and is
equipped with a sanitary well seal, casing vent, sample tap and pitless adapter. A 5 HP submersible pump
transfers water from the well into the 25,000 gallon ground storage tank. The yield from this well is 28
gpm determined from a 72-hour yield and drawdown test.

Well No. 3 is located at the intersection of Turkey Ridge Road and Shady Lane. The well was drilled in
October 1975 and was reworked, re-cased, and grouted in May 1990. The well is 10 inches in diameter to
a depth of 55 feet and 6 inches in diameter to a depth of 670 feet. The well is cased to a depth of 55 feet
with 6 inch diameter heavy steel casing and is cement grouted to a depth of 54 feet. The well casing

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch thick concrete pad and is equipped with a pitless
adapter. A totalizing flow meter and sample tap are provided. Water is pumped from this well via a 3 HP
submersible pump with is capable of delivering 9.0 gpm at 637 feet TDH into the 25,000 gallon ground
storage tank. The well yield following a 48 hour yield and drawdown test conducted in November 1990
was 17.5 gpm. No treatment is provided.

Well No. 4 is no longer in service.

Well No. 5 is located at the end of Gillums Mountain Road. The well was completed in May 1994. This
well is 10 inches in diameter to a depth of 60 feet and 6 inches in diameter to a depth of 695 feet. The
well is cased to a depth of 61 feet with 6 5/8 inch diameter heavy steel casing and is cement grouted to a
depth of 55 feet. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch thick concrete pad
and is equipped with a pitless adapter and sanitary well cap. Water is pumped from the well by a 5 HP
submersible pump which is capable of delivering 18.0 gpm at 155 TDH into the 15,000 gallon ground
storage tank. The well yield following a 48 hour yield and drawdown test conducted in May 1994 was
18.0 gpm.

Well No. 6 is located on the north side of Turkey Ridge Road adjacent to subdivision Lot 13. The well
was completed in June 1999 and is drilled to a depth of 505 feet. The well is cased with 6 inch steel
casing to a depth of 53 feet and is grouted with cement grout to a depth of 50 feet. The well casing
extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch thick concrete pad and is provided with a pitless
adapter and a watertight well cap. Water is pumped from the well by a 3 HP submersible well pump
capable of delivering 13 gpm at 570 feet TDH into the 25,000 gallon ground storage tank. The reliable
well yield is 13 gpm following a 48 hour pump test. A totalizing flow meter, sample tap, and well pump
controls are located in a 8 foot by 8 foot building adjacent to the well.

Well No. 7 is located on the lower end of the subdivision adjacent to the I-64 westbound lane. The well
was completed in July 2000 and is drilled to a depth of 405 feet. The well is cased with 6 inch steel
casing to a depth of 52 feet and is grouted with cement grout to a depth of 50 feet. The well casing
extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch thick concrete pad and is provided with a pitless
adapter, watertight well cap, and air line to measure water level. Water is pumped from the well by a 5
HP submersible pump capable of delivering 45 gpm to the treatment building. A 5 HP series booster
pump is located in the treatment building that boosts water into the 25,000 gallon ground storage tank.
Both pumps (submersible well pump and series booster pump) are capable of delivering 45 gpm at 440
TDH. The reliable well yield is 58 gpm following a 48 hour pump test. A totalizing flow meter, sample
tap, and pump controls are located in an 8 foot by 8 foot building adjacent to Well No. 8.

Well No. 8 is located on the lower end of the subdivision adjacent to the right-of-way for I-64 and is
approximately 600 feet west of Well No. 7. The well was completed in October 2000 and is drilled to a
depth of 505 feet. The well is cased with 6 inch steel casing to a depth of 58 feet and is grouted with
cement grout to a depth of 50 feet. The well casing extends 12 inches above a 6 foot by 6 foot by 6 inch
thick concrete pad and is provided with a pitless adapter, watertight well cap, and air line to measure
water level. Water is supplied from the well by a 2 ½ HP submersible pump capable of delivering 25
gpm to the treatment building. A separate 2 ½ HP series booster pump is located in the treatment
building that boosts water into the 25,000 gallon ground storage tank. Both pumps are capable of
delivering 25 gpm at 690 TDH. The reliable well yield is 29 gpm following a 48 hour pump test. A

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

totalizing flow meter, sample tap, and pump controls are located in the adjacent 8 foot by 8 foot building.
(Virginia Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet, April 30, 2002).

2.1.15 Corville Farm Subdivision

System Overview

The Corville Farm Subdivision public waterworks consists of a single drilled well, 2,500 gallons of
storage, two 119 gallon diaphragm type pressure tanks and two transfer pumps. There is no reliable yield
data and no historical records of water consumption due to the lack of a meter. Due to unknown
production capacity the permitted capacity is limited to the existing 27 residential connections.

Source Water

Well C is located on the left side at the end of the Corville Farm Subdivision. The well was drilled on
March 2, 1970 and is 10 inches in diameter to a depth of 56 feet and 6 3/8 inches in diameter from a depth
of 56 to 600 feet, its total depth. It is cased to a depth of 56 feet with 6 ½ inch casing, and cement grouted
also to a depth of 56 feet. The heavy steel casing extends 18 inches above the concrete well house floor
and is provided with a sanitary seal, screened vent, and sampling tap. The reported well yield was
measured at 8 gpm after a 10 hour drawdown test performed in 1970. (Virginia Department of Health,
Engineering Description Sheet, March 8, 2004).

2.1.16 Woods Edge Subdivision

System Overview

This waterworks consists on one drilled well, a 25,000 gallon steel water storage tank, a 5,000 gallon
hydropneumatic tank, and a treatment and distribution system. The permitted capacity of the system is
19,600 gpd based on source capacity.

Source Water

Well No. 1 is located approximately 4000 feet northwest of the subdivision. The well is 10 inches in
diameter to a depth of 253 feet and 6 inches in diameter from a depth of 253 feet to 630 feet. The well is
drilled to a depth of 630 feet, cased to a depth of 254 feet with 6 inch casing and cement grouted to a
depth of 153 feet. The well casing extends 12 inches above a concrete floor and is provided with a
sanitary seal, screened vent and sampling tap. Water is pumped from the well into the 25,000 gallon
storage tank by means of a 5 HP submersible pump capable of delivering 30 gpm at 400 feet TDH. Water
is pumped from the storage tank into the 5000 gallon hydropneumatic tank and distribution system by
four 1 ½ HP centrifugal booster pumps capable of delivering 75 gpm at 68 feet TDH. (Virginia
Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet, February 2, 1990).

2.1.17 Red Hill

System Overview

The Red Hill waterworks consists of one drilled well, one 10,000 gallon hydropneumatic tank, and a
treatment and disinfection system. The permitted capacity is 6,800 gpd based on limited storage capacity.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Source Water

Well No. 5 is located approximately 300 feet south of the Route 29 northbound lane and 0.3 mile east of
the intersection with Route 710, at the back of the fenced lot. The well was drilled and completed on July
7, 2006 and is a total of 500 feet deep. The well is cased with 6 inch heavy steel casing to a depth of 63
feet and cement grouted to a depth of 50 feet. The well casing extends 12 inches above a concrete pad
and is equipped with a pitless adapter, sanitary seal, and screened casing vent. Water is pumped from the
well by a 3 HP submersible pump capable of delivering 22 gpm at 380 feet TDH. The well has a yield of
29 gpm based on a 48 hour yield test performed from July 31, 2008 to August 2, 2008 with the water
level dropping from 34 feet (static condition) to 148 feet (dynamic condition). A raw water sampling tap
and totalizing flow meter are provided inside the adjacent treatment building. (Virginia Department of
Health, Engineering Description Sheet, September 23, 2009).

The Red Hill waterworks is operated by the Albemarle County Service Authority to provide safe drinking
water to Red Hill Elementary School and 12 homes in the area that were previously served by individual
wells. The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors directed the waterworks system be built when the
individual wells came under a threat of contamination from a leaking underground fuel storage tank.

2.2 Community Water Systems Using Surface Water Reservoirs and Stream Intakes

Surface drinking water supply resources for the region include five reservoir impoundments and one river
intake structure. The South Fork Rivanna River Reservoir, Beaver Creek Reservoir, and Sugar Hollow
Reservoir are located in the South Fork Rivanna River watershed. Ragged Mountain Reservoir is located
in the Rivanna River watershed. The Totier Creek Reservoir is located in the James River watershed. A
river intake structure is located on the North Fork Rivanna River. Table 2-2 below lists each resource and
more detailed information can be found in Appendix A.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Table 2-2: Community Water Systems Using Surface Water Reservoirs and Stream Intakes

Surface Water Drainage Area Safe Yield Associated Water Associated Waterworks
Resource (square miles) (MGD) Treatment Plant

South Fork Rivanna 259.1 South Rivanna WTP

Reservoir

Sugar Hollow 17.50 Observatory WTP

Reservoir
12.8 ACSA – Urban Area
Ragged Mountain 1.80 Observatory WTP
Reservoir (of system) City of Charlottesville
Distribution System
North Fork Rivanna 115.0 North Fork WTP
Intake

Beaver Creek 9.55 1.8 Crozet WTP ACSA Crozet

Reservoir

Totier Creek 29.98 1.6 Scottsville WTP ACSA Scottsville

Reservoir

2.2.1 ACSA Urban Area

The Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) Urban Area is a waterworks system consisting of eight
booster pump stations, storage facilities, and distribution lines. Water for this system is provided by the
RWSA through three RWSA Water Treatment Plants: South Rivanna WTP, Observatory WTP, and the
North Rivanna WTP. Design capacity is established by the Virginia Department of Health for each
RWSA water treatment plant, but no specific Virginia Department of Health design limitations are placed
on the Albemarle County Service Authority as a whole. (Virginia Department of Health, Engineering
Description Sheet, May 16, 2007). Both ACSA and the City purchase wholesale water through the Urban
System from RWSA; therefore, the ACSA and City share the capacity of the Urban Area waterworks
system. In a December 2003 contractual agreement, the ACSA and City agreed to allocate the system’s
capacity with 4.2 mgd allocated to the ACSA and 7.8 mgd allocated to the City, based on an assumed
total allocable capacity of 12.0 mgd. A subsequent January 2004 study by Gannett Fleming for RWSA
determined the safe yield of the total urban system as 12.8 mgd. (Source: Safe Yield Study, Gannett
Fleming, January 2004). As of the date of this report ACSA and the City have not updated their
allocation to reflect Gannett Fleming’s defined safe yield.

The capacities of water treatment plants are not directly comparable to safe yield. Safe yield is
determined as an average daily capacity of what can be withdrawn from the Urban System’s total water
supply over the duration of the drought of record, but water treatment plants must be capable of supplying
the highest single day water demand water demand of the system. RWSA engineers have determined

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

from the review of historical records that its water treatment plants should have a combined capacity to
treat in a single day at least 1.5 times the safe yield of the system.

RWSA Water Treatment Plants serving the Urban Area are described below.

South Rivanna WTP - This is a WTP located at the end of Woodburn Road consisting of a raw
water intake, one raw water pump station, water treatment facilities, a 1.0 MG elevated storage
tank and a 5 MG ground level storage tank. Raw water is impounded in the South Fork Rivanna
Reservoir which has a drainage area of 259 square miles and a surface area of 390 acres. The
original storage capacity of the reservoir, constructed in 1966, was 1.7 billion gallons. Storage
for water supply was estimated in 2004 by Gannett Fleming as 800 million gallons and by HDR
Engineering in 2010 as 859 million gallons. The treatment plant is permitted to treat 12.0 mgd.
(Source: Virginia Department of Health, Correspondence dated May 23, 2002).

Observatory WTP – This WTP is located on McCormick Road on the grounds of the University
of Virginia. The WTP is served from two raw water intake facilities and two raw water pumping
stations. The treatment is provided by a conventional water treatment plant, and treated water
flows by gravity to a storage tank on the distribution system. A booster pump station is located
on Alderman Road to provide treated water to the Lewis Mountain area. Raw water is
impounded in the Sugar Hollow Reservoir and the Upper and Lower Ragged Mountain
Reservoirs. The Sugar Hollow Reservoir, located on the headwaters of the Moormans River, has
a drainage area of 18 square miles and a surface area of 48 acres. The original storage capacity of
the reservoir, constructed in 1947, was 430 million gallons. A landslide occurred in late June
1995 as a result of a large rainfall event and storage was reduced to 360 million gallons of which
324 million gallons is storage for water supply. The Upper and Lower Ragged Mountain
Reservoirs are in series and located on the headwaters of Moores Creek. These reservoirs have a
drainage area of 1.8 square miles and a combined surface area of 74 acres. Total combined
storage capacity is 513.6 million gallons, of which 463 million gallons is storage for water
supply. The treatment plant permitted capacity is 7.8 mgd. (Source: Virginia Department of
Health, Engineering Description Sheet, March 3, 2009) but RWSA operates at an effective
capacity of 5.5 mgd to maintain a filtered turbidity goal of 0.1 NTU.

North Rivanna WTP – This waterworks, adjacent to the Camelot Subdivision, consists of a river
intake structure and 2.0 mgd pump station, conventional treatment plant, two finished water high-
service pumps, and one 700,000 gallon distribution storage tank. Water is impounded by a low
water level diversion dam on the North Fork Rivanna River. The permitted capacity is 2.0 mgd
due to filtration capacity at 4.0 gpm per square foot. During severe droughts, effective capacity is
limited to the flow in the North Fork Rivanna River.

2.2.2 City of Charlottesville Distribution System

The City of Charlottesville operates a distribution system consisting of one pumping station and
distribution pipelines throughout the City. Water for this system is provided by the RWSA South
Rivanna WTP, Observatory WTP, and the North Rivanna WTP (described above). Design capacity is
established by the Virginia Department of Health for each RWSA water treatment plant, but no specific
Virginia Department of Health design limitations are placed on the City of Charlottesville as a whole.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

(Virginia Department of Health, Engineering Description Sheet, May 16, 2007). Both the City and the
ACSA purchase wholesale water through the Urban System from RWSA; therefore, the City and ACSA
share the capacity of the Urban Area waterworks system. In a December 2003 contractual agreement, the
City and ACSA agreed to allocate the system’s capacity with 7.8 mgd allocated to the City and 4.2 mgd
allocated to the ACSA, based on an assumed total allocable capacity of 12.0 mgd. A subsequent January
2004 study by Gannett Fleming for RWSA determined the safe yield of the total urban system as 12.8
mgd. (Source: Safe Yield Study, Gannett Fleming, January 2004). As of the date of this report the City
and ACSA have not updated their allocation to reflect Gannett Fleming’s defined safe yield.

2.2.3 ACSA Crozet

The Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) Crozet waterworks is a consecutive system consisting
of one distribution system serving the Crozet area. Treated water is obtained from the Rivanna Water and
Sewer Authority’s Crozet Water Treatment Plant.

Crozet WTP – This waterworks consists of a reservoir intake structure and pump station with
chemical feed, conventional water treatment process, three finished water high-service pumps,
and one 2.0 million gallon distribution storage tank. Raw water is impounded in the Beaver
Creek Reservoir located east of Crozet adjacent to Route 680. The permitted capacity is 1.0 mgd
due to filtration capacity at 2.0 gpm per square foot. The original storage capacity of Beaver
Creek Reservoir is 585 million gallons, of which 521 million gallons is storage for water supply.
Withdrawal is limited by treatment capacity. In 2007, Gannett Fleming determined the safe yield
of the Beaver Creek Reservoir to be 1.8 mgd. (Source: Beaver Creek Reservoir Safe Yield Study,
Gannett Fleming, May 2007)

2.2.4 ACSA Scottsville

The Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) Scottsville waterworks is a consecutive system
consisting of an elevated storage tank, and booster pump station, and one distribution system serving the
Scottsville area. Treated water is obtained from the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority’s Scottsville
Water Treatment Plant.

Scottsville WTP – This is a wholesale waterworks that consists of two raw intake facilities and
pump stations, a conventional water treatment plant and a finished water storage tank. The
primary source of water for this waterworks is a 69 acre impoundment on Totier Creek in
southern Albemarle County. The reservoir has a drainage area of 28.5 square miles and a water
supply of 155 million gallons. A second intake is located on Totier Creek upstream of the river
impoundment. Storage is provided in a 250,000 gallon capacity standpipe tank located on State
Route 1302 between the water treatment plant and the Town of Scottsville. The permitted
capacity of this waterworks system is 250,560 gpd, limited by the treatment plant capacity. In
2007, Gannett Fleming determined the safe yield of the Totier Creek Reservoir to be 1.6 mgd.
(Source: Totier Creek Reservoir Safe Yield Study, Gannett Fleming, May 2007)

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

2.3 Non-Agricultural Self-Supplied Users of More than 300,000 Gallons per Month of Surface
Water

According to records from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, there are five non-
agricultural self-supplied users of more than 300,000 per month of surface water in the region.

2.3.1 Meadowcreek Golf Course

The Meadowcreek Golf Course is operated by the City of Charlottesville withdraws water from the
Rivanna River during a portion of the year. No permit is associated with this withdrawal. According to
DEQ records the total measured annual withdrawal in 2008 was 14.96 million gallons with a maximum
daily withdrawal of 234,054 gallons during the month of June. Total measured annual withdrawal in
2009 was 9.64 million gallons with a maximum daily withdrawal of 257,192 gallons during the month of
September.

2.3.2 Farmington Country Club

The Farmington Country Club withdraws water from Ivy Creek. No permit is associated with this
withdrawal. According to DEQ records the total measured annual withdrawal in 2008 was 57.7 million
gallons with a maximum daily withdrawal of 750,000 gallons during the month of July. Total measured
annual withdrawal in 2009 was 33.5 million gallons with a maximum daily withdrawal of 680,000 gallons
during the month of June.

2.3.3 Glenmore Country Club

The Glenmore Country Club withdraws water from the Rivanna River. No permit is associated with this
withdrawal. According to DEQ records the total measured annual withdrawal in 2008 was 35.3 million
gallons with a maximum daily withdrawal of 46,200 gallons during the month of August. Total estimated
annual withdrawal in 2009 was 16 million gallons with a maximum daily withdrawal of 375,000 gallons
during the month of August.

2.3.4 Ivy Creek Golf Course

The Ivy Creek Golf Course withdraws water from an unnamed tributary to Ivy Creek. No permit is
associated with this withdrawal. According to DEQ records the total estimated annual withdrawal in
2008 was 480,000 gallons, with 360,000 gallons withdrawn during the month of July. No information
was provided on the maximum daily withdrawal for 2008. No withdrawals were reported during 2009.

2.3.5 Red Hill Quarry

The Red Hill Quarry, operated by Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., produces granite and withdraws water
from the Hardware River. No permit is associated with this withdrawal. According to DEQ records the
total estimated annual withdrawal in 2008 was 480,000 gallons and the entire volume was withdrawn in
the month July. The maximum daily withdrawal was 15,000 gallons. No withdrawals were reported
during 2009.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

2.4 Non-Agricultural Self-Supplied Users of More than 300,000 Gallons per Month of
Groundwater

According to records from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, there are two non-
agricultural self-supplied users of more than 300,000 per month of ground water in the region.

2.4.1 Red Hill Quarry

The Red Hill Quarry, operated by Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., produces granite and withdraws
groundwater from a lower quarry pit. No permit is associated with this withdrawal. According to DEQ
records the total estimated annual withdrawal in 2008 was 13.25 million gallons with a maximum daily
withdrawal of 71,000 gallons during the month of June. Total estimated annual withdrawal in 2009 was
14.67 million gallons with a maximum daily withdrawal of 68,000 gallons during the month of July.

2.4.2 Cooper Industries

Since 1992 Cooper Industries has been operating a groundwater recovery and remediation system to treat
groundwater contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The property was the site of an
electrical distribution equipment manufacturing facility that began operations in 1962. The
manufacturing process included stamping, grinding, welding, painting, and plating operations. Activities
at the facility generated hazardous wastes and resulted in the contamination of ground water with volatile
organic compounds (VOCs). Groundwater is recovered from onsite wells, treated through two
activated carbon units in series to remove the VOCs, and then discharged to a surface water stream,
in accordance with a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit.

According to DEQ records the total estimated annual withdrawal from the groundwater recovery wells in
2008 was 3.52 million gallons. No information regarding maximum daily withdrawal was reported. The
total estimated annual withdrawal in 2009 was 3.69 million gallons. A maximum daily withdrawal of
6,236 gallons was reported during the month of January.

2.5 Water Purchased or Available for Purchase Outside the Planning Area

There is no groundwater or surface water purchased from outside the geographic boundaries of the
planning area. There are no existing contracts or known current planning efforts to purchase water from
outside the planning area.

2.6 Agricultural Users of More than 300,000 Gallons Per Month of Surface or Groundwater

According to records from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality there are no agricultural
users who withdraw more than 300,000 gallons per month of surface or groundwater.

2.7 Population of Users Self Supplied by Individual Wells Withdrawing Less than 300,000
Gallons per Month

The 2010 Census by the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the population of Albemarle County to be 98,970.
It is assumed that the entire population of the City of Charlottesville is served by the municipal
community water system. If the estimated County population of customers served by the ACSA in the
Urban Area, Crozet, and Scottsville is subtracted (56,406 persons), as well as the estimated population

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

served by a community water system (2,611 persons), then the remaining population of 39,953 can be
assumed to be self-supplied by individual wells.

Estimating the number of households that rely on individual wells produces comparative results. The
Albemarle Department of Community Development approximates that 43% of all households in the
County rely on private wells. According to the Census Bureau, the estimated persons per household in
Albemarle County were 2.34 from 2005 through 2009. Given the County population of 98,970, it is
estimated that there are a total 42,295 households in the County. 43% of that total equals approximately
18,187 households that rely on individual wells within the planning area.

2.8 Findings and Recommendations from Source Water Assessment Plans or Wellhead
Protection Programs

According to documentation from the Virginia Department of Health, all surface and groundwater
waterworks in the planning area have a “High Susceptibility” to contamination. The source water
assessments for surface waters explain that surface waters are exposed to an inconsistent array of
contaminants at varying concentrations due to changing hydrologic, hydraulic, and atmospheric
conditions, and there are land use activities of concern in the assessment area. The source water
assessments for groundwater explain that the groundwater source is constructed in an area that promotes
the migration of contamination with land use activities of concern in the assessment area. The most
prevalent land use activity of concern was the presence of on-site sewage systems.

There are no formal wellhead protections programs in the planning area.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

3.0 EXISTING WATER USE INFORMATION (9 VAC 25-780-80)

Section 80 of the regulations requests localities within the planning area to submit information regarding
the existing water use. The 2010 census population for the entire planning area was 142,445 and water
use for 2009 is summarized in the text below. Please note that a more detailed description of water usage
within the planning area for Years 2008 and 2009 is included within the Section 80 Excel spreadsheets in
Appendix A.

3.1 Municipal Community Water Systems

In 2009 there were five our municipal community water systems within the planning area, as
described in Section 2.0. The ACSA Red Hill system is a central well system that serves the Red
Hill Elementary School and cluster of adjacent homes in Albemarle County whose individual wells
were impacted by petroleum contamination from a nearby leaking underground storage tank. The
ACSA Urban Area system serves those urbanized portions of Albemarle County surrounding the
City of Charlottesville and some University of Virginia facilities. The City of Charlottesville system
serves the independent city as well as the majority of the University of Virginia. The ACSA Crozet
system serves the community of Crozet, and the ACSA Scottsville system serves the Town of
Scottsville.

3.1.1 ACSA Red Hill

The Red Hill system was put into service in August of 2009 and serves an estimated population of
240 persons, including the Red Hill Elementary School. The system withdrew an average of 0.0011
million gallons per day (mgd), with approximately 0.0005 mgd utilized for the Red Hill Elementary
School and the remaining 0.0006 mgd utilized for single family residential use.

3.1.2 ACSA Urban Area

The ACSA Urban Area system served an estimated population of 55,185 in 2009. The average daily
withdrawal for the system was 4.4803 mgd, and the maximum daily withdrawal was 6.756 mgd, with
peak day water use occurring in the month of August. Use for 2009 is disaggregated in Table 3-1.

3.1.3 City of Charlottesville

The City of Charlottesville system served an estimated population of 43,475 in 2009. The average
daily withdrawal for the system was 5.4407 mgd, and the maximum daily withdrawal was 8.204
mgd, with peak day water use occurring in the month of September. Use for 2009 is disaggregated in
Table 3-2.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Table 3-1: Disaggregated Water Use for ACSA Urban Area for 2009

Disaggregated Category Water Use (gpd) Percentage of Total Use (%)

Single Family Residential 1,578,212 37 %

Multi-Family Residential 928,837 22%

Commercial 739,812 17%

Industrial 25,212 <1%

Institutional (includes 341,888 8%

Government and Medical)

Irrigation (only properties with 133,057 3%

separate irrigation meters, so
does not represent all irrigation)

Non-revenue water 487,111 13%

Table 3-2: Disaggregated Water Use of City of Charlottesville for 2009

Disaggregated Category Water Use (gpd) Percentage of Total Use (%)

Single Family Residential 1,317,045 25%

Multi-Family Residential 828,985 16%

Commercial 750,222 15%

Industrial 55,563 1%

Institutional (includes 1,583,758 30%

Government and Medical)

Irrigation (only properties with 3,352 <1%

separate irrigation meters, so
does not represent all irrigation)

Non-revenue water 590,060 13%

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

3.1.4 ACSA Crozet

The ACSA Crozet system served an estimated population of 6,073 in 2009. The average daily
withdrawal for the system was 0.404 mgd, and the maximum daily withdrawal was 0.692 mgd, with
peak day water use occurring in the month of March. Use for 2009 is disaggregated in Table 3-3.

Table 3-3: Disaggregated Water Use for ACSA Crozet Area for 2009

Disaggregated Category Water Use (gpd) Percentage of Total Use (%)

Single Family Residential 262,574 67%

Multi-Family Residential 18,907 5%

Commercial 25,515 7%

Industrial 16,736 4%

Institutional (includes 27,413 7%

Government and Medical)

Irrigation (only properties with 6,320 2%

separate irrigation meters, so
does not represent all irrigation)

Non-revenue water 32,774 8%

3.1.5 ACSA Scottsville

The ACSA Scottsville system served an estimated population of 689 in 2009. The average daily
withdrawal for the system was 0.0826 mgd, and the maximum daily withdrawal was 0.141 mgd, with
peak day water use occurring in the month of August. Use for 2009 is disaggregated in Table 3-4.

3.2 Private Community Water Systems

As described in Section 2.0, there are 16 additional non-municipal community water systems in the
planning area which served a total approximated population of 2,371 in 2009. The size of the
systems varies, and the average daily withdrawal from the systems ranged from 0.0008 mgd to
0.0254 mgd, with peak day water use occurring during the months of May through August. Two
schools are served by community systems and the remaining majority of usage is assumed to be
utilized by single family residences. Detailed usage data for these systems is presented in the Section
80 spreadsheet in Appendix A.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Table 3-4: Disaggregated Water Use of ACSA Scottsville Area for 2009

Disaggregated Category Water Use (gpd) Percentage of Total Use (%)

Single Family Residential 17,997 23%

Multi-Family Residential 1,710 2%

Commercial 12,692 16%

Industrial 20,839 26%

Institutional (includes 3,049 4%

Government and Medical)

Irrigation (only properties with 0 0%

separate irrigation meters, so
does not represent all irrigation)

Non-revenue water 22,852 29%

3.3 Non-Agricultural Self-Supplied Users of More than 300,000 Gallons per Month of Surface
and Groundwater within the Service Area of Community Water Systems

One self-supplied user of over 300,000 gallons per month, the Meadowcreek Golf Course, utilizes water
within a service area of a community water supply. This user withdraws an estimated total annual
average of 0.026 mgd from the Rivanna River.

3.4 Non-Agricultural Self-Supplied Users of More than 300,000 Gallons per Month of Surface
and Groundwater outside the Service Area of Community Water Systems

There are five self supplied users of over 300,000 gallons per month outside of a community water
supply service area. Three golf courses, one mining operation, and one groundwater remediation
system withdraw an estimated total annual average of 0.583 from surface and groundwater sources.

3.5 Agricultural Users of More than 300,000 Gallons Per Month of Surface or Groundwater
within and outside of the Service Area of Community Water System

According to records from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality there are no agricultural
users who withdraw more than 300,000 gallons per month of surface or groundwater, either within or
outside of a community water supply service area.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

3.6 Users Self Supplied by Individual Wells Withdrawing Less than 300,000 Gallons per Month
within and outside of the Service Area of a Community Water System.

An estimated total population of 39,953 is self-supplied by individual wells and withdraws an estimated
3.236 mgd from groundwater. It is assumed that the entire population of the City of Charlottesville is
served by the municipal community water system. It is also assumed that the populations of the ACSA
Urban, Crozet, and Scottsville Areas are served by their respective water systems and that individual well
users are outside of the service areas of any community water system.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

4.0 EXISTING RESOURCE INFORMATION (9 VAC 25-780- 90)

[Editor’s Note: AECOM Technical Services Inc. assisted the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority in
the research and presentation of some of the information in this Section 4.0]

Section 90 of the regulation requests a description of existing resource conditions to include

geologic, hydrologic, and meteorological conditions in the planning area. In addition, a description
of existing environmental conditions must be included that pertains to, or may possibly affect in-
stream uses, and water supply sources currently serving the area.

4.1 Geologic, Hydrologic, and Meteorological Data (9 VAC 25-70-90A)

4.1.1 Physiography

The majority of the planning area lies within the Piedmont physiographic province, with a small
portion of northwestern Albemarle County within the Blue Ridge physiographic province. The
Piedmont province extends from the fall line to the Blue Ridge Mountains and is located east of the
Blue Ridge Province. The Blue Ridge province is a relatively narrow zone ranging from 4 to 25
miles wide that contains mountains of some of the highest elevations in the state. Although the
majority of Albemarle County is marked by gently rolling hills that lie below 1000 feet above sea
level, steep terrain and significant elevation gains of over 3000 feet are present throughout the region,
including a low elevation of 235 feet and a peak elevation of 3,317 feet (Source: Ground Water
Resources of Albemarle County, Virginia, 1980).

4.1.2 Geology

Hard, crystalline igneous and metamorphic formations dominate the region of Albemarle County.
Beneath a thin layer of soil comprised of sapprolite deposits and weathered rock lies bedrock and a
relatively impervious zone containing groundwater in joints, fractures, and faults. On the eastern
flank of the Blue Ridge, igneous and metamorphic rocks are most common while sedimentary rocks
are more common on the western flank.

Bedrock geology in the planning area can be grouped into (4) four broad rock families on the basis of
lithologic affinity. These rock families are (1) biotite gneiss and granitic rocks, (2) metamorphosed
sedimentary rocks, (3) metamorphosed volcanic rocks, and (4) Mesozoic Basin sedimentary rocks.
These rock families form bands that trend in a general north-eastward orientation. The most
extensive rock family within the planning area includes billion-year-old biotite gneisses and granitic
rock of the Blue Ridge Basement Complex. This ancient rock family forms a wide northeast
trending band that extends from the toe of the Blue Ridge in the west, eastward to the central portion
of the planning area; extending from Nelson County to the south and northward to Greene County.
The metamorphosed sedimentary rock family consists of 650 million-year-old conglomerate, biotite
gneiss, metasiltsone, metagraywacke, and phyllite. These rocks occur as part of the Lynchburg
Group, Chilhowie Group, Swift Run Formation and Candler Formation. Metagraywacke, quartoze
schist and mélange are also mapped along the eastern portion of the planning area and are not

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

included within a Formation. Metamorphosed volcanic rocks, primarily consisting of basalts,

dominate the bedrock geology underlying the Blue Ridge Mountain. This bedrock family, which
underlies the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains, represents the west leg of the Blue Ridge
Anticlinorium. Metamorphosed basalts also exist in a northeast trending band located in the eastern
portion of the area. These rocks represent the eastern leg of the Blue Ridge Anticinorium. Mesozoic
basin sedimentary rocks consist of interbedded sandstone, siltstone, and shale. Two such basins
areas exist and are underlain by the Newark Supergroup. The Scottsville basin is located in the
southern portion of the County and a much smaller area of the Barboursville Basin lies along the
County’s northern border with Orange County.

4.1.3 Soils

Soils within the county are classified into three groups based on location including mountainous
soils, upper piedmont soils, and lower piedmont soils. Upper and lower piedmont soils are more
localized while mountainous soils are located throughout the country on the Blue Ridge Mountains,
Blue Ridge mountain foothills, Carters Mountain, and the Southwestern Mountains that are located
east of the City of Charlottesville. The soil in Albemarle County is generally well-drained and
uniform in nature; however, differences between soil types exist. Piedmont lowland soils have the
greatest depth but are the least prevalent, occupying only the eastern quarter of the county. In
contrast upper piedmont and mountain soils are often highly variable in depth and strongly acidic.

4.1.4 Surface Hydrology

Albemarle County is part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and forms the headwaters for the Middle
James River Basin, with the exception of a small portion of northeast Albemarle draining into the
York and the Rappahannock River basins. Each major river basin (James, York, Rappahannock)
contains several smaller river watersheds (e.g. the North Fork Rivanna, South Fork Rivanna, and
Hardware River watershed are the components of the James River Basin) and smaller stream and
creek watersheds (e.g. the Moorman’s and the Mechums river drainages are components of the South
Fork Rivanna River watershed) that drain the 722 square mile land area of the county.

Several stream flow-gauging stations are maintained by the USGS throughout Albemarle County and
the City of Charlottesville. Flow and water quality data from each station can be used to determine
sustainable water withdrawal practices and monitor water quality in the county’s largest contributing
bodies of surface water. Up-to-date stream flow data can be accessed online at
(http://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/rt) or in annual publications by the USGS. Table 4-1 below lists
the stream flow gauging stations that are located in Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Table 4-1: Stream Flow Gauging Stations in Albemarle County and Charlottesville City

Agency Site Site Name Hydrologic Location Gage

Number Unit Code NAD27 Datum
NGVD29
USGS 2029000 James River at Scottsville, VA 02080203 Lat. 37°47’50” 253.18 ft
Long. 78°29’30”
USGS 2031000 Mechums River near White 02080204 Lat. 38°06’09” 429.75 ft
Hall, VA Long. 78°35’35”
USGS 2032250 Moormans River near Free 02080204 Lat. 38°08’26” 403.11 ft
Union, VA Long. 78°33’22”
USGS 2032640 N F Rivanna River near 02080204 Lat. 38°09’48” 365 ft
Earlysville, VA Long. 78°25’30”
Source: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis

Previous Studies

A report was prepared for the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority by the Albemarle County
Department of Engineering and Public Works in the spring of 2003 that documented the 36 year
history of the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir (SFRR) and the 23 year history of active watershed
management (Source: Report: South Fork Rivanna Reservoir and Watershed: Reflecting on 36
years, Anticipating 50 Years, 2003).

Additionally, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality released a Draft 2010 305
(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated (WQAI) Report August 23, 2010 which was made
available for public comment through September 24, 2010. The final WQAI Report was approved
by EPA on February 9, 2011. The 2010 WQAI Report is a summary of the water quality conditions
in Virginia from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2008 and satisfies the requirements of the U.S.
Clean Water Act sections 305(b) and 303(d) and the Virginia Water Quality Monitoring, Information
and Restoration Act. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality develops and submits a
Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency every
even-numbered year in response to EPA’s efforts to determine whether Virginia waters meet water
quality standards, and to establish a schedule to restore waters with impaired water quality. Refer to
Section 4.11 Impaired Streams for more details on impaired waterways within the planning area.

4.1.5 Subsurface Hydrology and Hydrogeologic Data

The most significant water supplies are found within a few hundred feet of the surface because the
size and number of fractures and faults in the bedrock which store and transmit ground water
decreases with depth. Groundwater availability and quality are relatively consistent across Albemarle
County with water-bearing zones generally located 200 feet below the land surface in all areas of the

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

county. Yields range from less than 10 gpm along the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge up to an excess
of 125 gpm reported at the base of the southwestern most mountains.

Albemarle County ground water is not severely mineralized, because most rocks in the Blue Ridge
are relatively insoluble; however, iron content of more than 0.3 mg/liter is found in some locations.
Soft water is predominant in approximately half of the county and moderately hard to hard water is
found elsewhere. Total dissolved solids are typically less than 150 mg/liter and no major areas of
ground water contamination or documented cases of well interference have been reported other than
localized underground petroleum spills (Source: Ground Water Resources of Albemarle County,
Virginia, 1980). Albemarle County is not part of the Ground Water Management Areas program
under the Ground Water Management Act of 1992.

The diversity of the subsurface geology of the Piedmont Province can limit ground water use at some
locations. A few areas have problems with high iron concentrations and acidity depending on
location and based on the porosity/permeability of the underlying sapprolite. Well site evaluation and
wellhead protection is critical in ensuring sustainable water sources (Source: Virginia Department of
Environmental Quality). Refer to Section 4.13 Potential Threats to Existing Water Quantity and
Quality for additional information on protecting groundwater sources.

Steep terrain and thin soil covering result in rapid surface run-off and low ground water recharge.
There has been little dense/large residential or industrial development in the Blue Ridge itself, so
ground water is primarily used for individual residential needs rather than for public water supply.
The lower slopes of the mountains are the most favorable areas for ground water accumulation, often
producing springs that are commonly used for private water supplies.

State observation wells maintained by the USGS are located throughout Virginia and can be used to
monitor groundwater quantities and quality in a local area. Up-to-date well data can be accessed
online at “http://groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov/statemaps/va.html” or in annual reports published by the
USGS. Table 4-2 provides information on the state observation well located in Albemarle County
and the City of Charlottesville.

Previous Studies:

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality released a study titled Ground Water Resources
of Albemarle County, Virginia (December 1980) that contained an inventory of ground water
resources in Albemarle County. The report was part of a series of studies intended to inventory the
ground water resources of each county in Virginia and provide all ground water users (including
private citizens, developers, investors, government officials, water professionals/consultants, and
well drilling contractors) with an overview of current groundwater resources.

Albemarle County released a report titled Albemarle County Hydrogeologic Assessment Summary
Report – Phase II: Groundwater Availability and Sensitivity Assessment with Proposed Groundwater
Assessment Standards (December 2003) that included a proposed assessment program for obtaining
more detailed data on groundwater in Albemarle County.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Table 4-2: State Observation Well in Albemarle County, VA

Map
Site ID Site Name Well Depth Local Aquifer
Index
1 380333078264801 43N 1 SOW 028 409 Lynchburg Formation

43N 1 SOW 028 DESCRIPTION:

Latitude 38°03'33", Longitude 78°26'48" NAD27

Albemarle County, Virginia, Hydrologic Unit 02080204
Well depth: 409.00 feet ; Hole depth: 409.00 feet
Land surface altitude: 335.00 feet above NGVD29.
Well completed in "Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers" (N400PDMBRX)
national aquifer.
Well completed in "Lynchburg Formation" (400LCBG) local aquifer.

4.1.6 Meteorological Data

The climate of Albemarle County is characterized by humid summers and mild winters and is
influenced by the mountains at the county’s western boundary, the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic
Ocean, and the county’s latitude within the North American continent (Source: Ground Water
Resouces of Albemarle County, Virginia, 1980).

Records from the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) indicate that the average temperature for Albemarle County is
approximately 36.5ºF in January and 76.75ºF in July during a recorded period from 1893 to 2010.
Temperature extremes have been recorded in the county as high as 107ºF in September of 1954 and
as low as -10ºF or colder in January of 1977 and 1994. The average annual precipitation is
approximately 45.93 inches which typically occurs in the form of rainfall. Average annual snowfall
is approximately 19.4 inches, although snowfall can vary considerably from year to year by as much
as 50 inches.

Current climate gauging stations for Albemarle County are located in the City of Charlottesville,
Monticello, and the town of Free Union. The NWS also monitors the weather at the Charlottesville-
Albemarle Airport and the Albemarle County Fairgrounds. Additional historical climate data from 13
previously employed gauging stations located throughout Albemarle County can be accessed online
through the NOAA National Climatic Data Center Station List (www.ncdc.noaa.gov). A current
monthly climate summary was available for the Charlottesville station located at 38°02'N / 78°31'W
and is shown below in Table 4-3.

4.2 State or Federal Listed Threatened or Endangered Species or Habitats of Concern (Section
90 B.1)

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries maintains a database of information on
threatened or endangered species within Virginia. Federally and state listed species within the

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

planning area are given below in Table 4-4 (Source: VDGIF, Fish and Wildlife Information Service,
http://vafwis.org/fwis).

Table 4-3: Meteorological Data from Charlottesville 2W, Virginia (441593) Gauging Station

Period of Record: 1/1/1893 to 12/31/2010

Average County County

Average Avg. Total Avg. Total
Min. Record Max Record Min
Max. Temp Precipitation SnowFall
Temp Temp Temp
(F) (in.) (in.)
(F) (F) (F)
January 45.5 27.5 81°F (2002) -10°F (1994) 3.26 5.3
February 47.8 28.5 81°F (2000) 1°F (1996) 2.98 5.9
March 57.1 35.9 92°F (1998) 10°F (1996) 3.73 3.6
April 67.7 45.2 96°F (2002) 21°F (1950) 3.44 0.3
May 76.4 54.6 96°F (1996) 33°F (1966) 4.17 0
June 83.4 62.5 100°F (1994) 40°F (1967) 4.41 0
July 87.1 66.4 104°F (1953) 49°F (1988) 4.98 0
August 85.4 65.2 105°F (1999) 44°F (1986) 4.56 0
September 79.5 59.2 107°F (1954) 35°F (1974) 4.14 0
October 69.1 48.4 96°F (1954) 26°F (1972) 3.69 0.1
November 58.2 38.8 88°F (1950) 10°F (1950) 3.17 0.8
December 47.3 29.8 83°F (1998) -3°F (1983) 3.4 3.5
Annual 67 46.8 N/A N/A 45.93 19.4
Note: Record Min. and Max. Temperatures for Albemarle County were taken from a weather station
located at the Albemarle County Fairgrounds.

Table 4-4: State or Federal Listed Threatened or Endangered Species

Common Name Scientific Name Status*

Spinymussel, James Pleurobema collina FESE
Falcon, peregrine Falco peregrines ST
Sandpiper, upland Bartramia longicauda ST
Shrike, loggerhead Lanius ludovicianus ST
Eagle, bald Haliaeetus leucocephalus FSST
Floater, green Lasmigona subviridis ST
Pigtoe, Atlantic Fusconaia masoni FSST
Shrike, migrant loggerhead Lanius ludovicianus migrans ST
Fritillary, regal Speyeria idalia idalia FS
Turtle, spotted Clemmys guttata CC
Rattlesnake, timber Crotalus horridus CC
* FE = Federal Endangered; FT = Federal Threatened; SE = State Endangered; ST = State
Threatened; FS = Federal Species of Concern; CC = Collection Concern

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

4.3 Anadromous, Trout, and Other Significant Fisheries (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.2)

Anadromous Fish Use Streams

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries maintains a database on streams that are
confirmed or potential migration pathways, spawing grounds, or nursery areas for anadromous fish.
Anadromous fish are those species of fish that migrate to spawn in freshwater after spending most of
their life in an estuary or ocean. Andromous fish of Virginia include the shortnose sturgeon
(Acipenser brevirostrum), altantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus), blueback herring (Alosa
aestivalis), alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), hickory shad (Alosa mediocris), American shad (Alosa
sapidissma), white perch (Morone americana), and striped bass (Morone saxatilis) (Source: Virginia
Department of Environmental Quality). VDGIF has identified the several streams in the planning
area as anadromous fish use streams as shown in Table 4-5 (Source: VDGIF, Fish and Wildlife
Information Service, http://vafwis.org/fwis).

Table 4-5: Anadromous Fish Use Streams

Stream Name Reach Status

Rivanna River Potential
Rivanna River, NF Potential
Rivanna River, SF Potential
Hardware River Potential

Managed Trout Streams

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has listed several streams in the planning
area as managed trout streams as shown in Table 4-6 (Source: VDGIF, Fish and Wildlife
Information Service, http://vafwis.org/fwis).

Table 4-6: Managed Trout Streams in Albemarle County, VA

Stream Name Class Brook Trout Brown Trout Rainbow Trout

Doyles River Wild Trout Y
Ivy Creek Wild Trout Y
Moormans River, NF Wild Trout Y Y Y
Moormans River, SF Wild Trout Y
Pond Ridge Branch Wild Trout Y

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

4.4 Scenic Rivers and Rivers with Recreational Significance (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.3)

Virginia Scenic Rivers

The intent of the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program is to identify, designate, and help protect rivers and
streams that exhibit scenic, recreational, historic and natural characteristics of statewide significance for
future generations. Scenic rivers are designated by an act of the Virginia General Assembly and this
designation encourages closer review of projects and proposals by state agencies and localities, requires
General Assembly authorization for dams, and allows for project review and monitoring through a
governor-appointed Virginia Scenic River Board. The Virginia Department of Conservation &
Recreation has designated the following rivers as Virginia Scenic Rivers (Source: Virginia Department of
Conservation & Recreation):

• Moormans River: 14 miles from the Sugar Hollow Reservoir to the confluence with Mechums
River, originally approved in 1988.

• Rivanna River: 46 miles from the South Fork Rivanna River reservoir to the confluence with the
James River, originally approved in 1975, designation extended in 1988 and 2009.

In addition, several river reaches have been identified as being worthy of future study which include:

• Mechums River, entire length.

• Hardware River: From Rte. 708 to the confluence with the James River

Refer to Figure 4-1 for location of DCR Scenic Rivers along with recreational areas and parks within
Albemarle County.

National Park Service Nationwide Rivers Inventory

The National Park Service Nationwide Rivers Inventory provides a listing of river segments that
potentially qualify as national wild, scenic, or recreational rivers. The following river segments in
Albemarle County are included in the national listing (Source: US Department of the Interior, National
Park Service):

• Hardware River: Recreation, 41 miles from the confluence with the James River to the South
Fork of the Hardware River headwaters. The South Fork’s headwaters are unique because it is
one of the smallest canoeing streams in the area yet has the most significant rapid of any stream
in the State, a 40+ foot drop in 400 yards, and is rated as a Class 5 stream.

• James River: 50 miles from Big Island to Gladstone railroad yard (includes portions of
Buckinham, Fluvanna, Albemarle, and Nelson counties):

o Geologic: Cliff-like valley walls over 300 feet high adjacent to the river. 78% of the
river segment possesses significant islands, the occurence and distribution of which is
unique to the section, province, and region.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

o Scenic: Significant and diverse juxtaposition and combination of land, land uses, water
and vegetative elements.

o Hydrologic: A unique, high order, undeveloped river.

o Historic: River-related National Historic Register sites at Bremo and Midway Mill.

o Botanic: An extremely rare arbor vitae, disjunct-relict community growing on calcareous

bluffs at the confluence of the James and Tye Rivers. Site has the only known population
of Arbor vitae in either the oak-pine forest or the southeastern evergreen forest regions.

• Rivanna River: Botanic, 31 miles from the confluence with the James River to near the
University of Virginia Airport. An excellent representative example of Piedmont Upland
Hardwood Forest and Upland Pine Forest is within the corridor.

40
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Figure 4-1: Scenic Rivers and Recreational Areas in Albemarle County, VA

41
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

4.5 Sites of Historic or Archaeological Significance (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.4)

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) maintains the Virginia Landmarks Register
(VLR) as a part of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Published historical places in
Albemarle County, VA are shown below in Table 4-7:

Table 4-7: Places of Historical or Archaeological Significance in Albemarle County, VA

Resource Name Address City Listed

Advance Mills Jct. VA 743 and VA 641 Advance Mills 4/12/2002

Anchorage, The 1864 Anchorage Farm Charlottesville 7/13/2001
E side US 29, 1.5 mi. NE of jct. with VA
Arrowhead 608 Charlottesville 7/9/1991
Aviator, The 575 Alderman Rd. Charlottesville 11/9/2006
Ballard--Maupin House 4257 Ballard's Mill Rd. Free Union 2/5/1999
Batesville Historic
District Jct. of Co. Rds. 692 and 635 Batesville 12/9/1999
Cty. Rt. 708 S side, 3.8 mi. E of jct. with
Bellair VA 20 Charlottesville 10/15/1992
S side VA 692, 3500 ft. W of jct. with
Bellevue VA 637 Batesville 7/9/1991
Bentivar 1601 Bentivar Farm Rd. Charlottesville 4/20/2005
Birdwood 500 Birdwood Dr. Charlottesville 10/23/2003
Blenheim S of Charlottesville on VA 727 Blenheim 5/17/1976
Blue Ridge Farm Jct. of VA 691 and VA 692 Greenwood 1/25/1991
Carrsbrook VA 1424 Charlottesville 7/8/1982
Casa Maria VA 691 S of jct. with US 250 Greenwood 12/28/1990
NE of Cismont near jct. of VA 231 and
Castle Hill 640 Cismont 2/23/1972
Cedars, The US 250, W of US 64 Greenwood 12/27/1990
Christ Church On VA 713, 0.4 mi. SW of jct. with VA
Glendower 712 Keene 7/2/1971
Monument Square, bounded by
Clark, George Rogers, University and Jefferson Park Aves. and
Sculpture the railroad tracks Charlottesville 5/16/1997
Cliffside N of Scottsville on VA 6 Scottsville 9/16/1982
Clifton VA 729 at Rivanna River Shadwell 11/2/1989
Cobham Park S of VA 22 Cobham 7/18/1974
Cocke's Mill House and
Mill Site VA 712 N of jct. with VA 719 North Garden 12/6/1990
Cove Presbyterian
Church US 29, N of VA 699 Covesville 11/2/1989

42
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Resource Name Address City Listed

Covesville Historic Roughly along RR tracks, US 29,
District Covesville Ln. &amp; Boaz Rd. Covesville 6/2/2005
Crossroads Tavern VA 692 Crossroads 8/16/1984
D. S. Tavern U.S. 250 Ivy 9/29/1983
Earlysville Union
Church VA 743, NW of jct. with VA 633 Earlysville 12/11/1997
East Belmont Jct. of VA 22 and VA 616 Keswick 8/2/1999
Edgehill N of Shadwell on VA 22 Shadwell 9/9/1982
Edgemont SE of Colesville on VA 712 Covesville 11/28/1980
Ednam House US 250 Ednam 7/8/1982
Emmanuel Church US 250 Greenwood 7/8/1982
Esmont N of Esmont Esmont 5/6/1980
Estes Farm 6185 Estes Ln. Dyke 5/17/2006
Estouteville SE of Powell Corner off VA 712 Powell Corner 1/30/1978
Farmington W of jct. of U.S. 250 and U.S. 29 Charlottesville 9/15/1970
Faulkner House 2201 Old Ivy Rd. Charlottesville 5/3/1984
Gallison Hall 24 Farmington Dr. Charlottesville 12/28/1990
Grace Church NE of Cismont on VA 231 Cismont 10/21/1976
Guthrie Hall N of Esmont on VA 719 Esmont 9/23/1982
High Meadows Off VA 20 Scottsville 5/30/1986
Highland SE of Charlottesville off VA 53 Simeon 8/14/1973
Home Tract 699 Ivy Depot Rd. Ivy 12/9/1999
Limestone 4401 Limestone Rd. Keswick 5/10/2006
N side of VA 665, jct. with VA 663 and
Longwood VA 664 Earlysville 10/18/1996
VA 708 W side, 1250 ft. N of jct. with
Malvern VA 637 Charlottesville 8/4/1995
McCormick, Leander,
Observatory 600 McCormick Rd. Charlottesville 11/19/2004
Midway SE of Millington off VA 678 Millington 2/28/1979
Miller School of
Albemarle SE of Yancey Mills off VA 635 Yancey Mills 2/15/1974
Mirador U.S. 250 Greenwood 4/7/1983
Mirador (Boundary
Increase) 7459 Mirador Farm Rd. Greenwood 5/22/2003
Monticello 2 mi. S of Charlottesville on VA 53 Charlottesville 10/15/1966
Monticola SR 602 N of jct. with SR 724 Howardsville 6/22/1990
Morven W of Simeon off VA 20 Simeon 4/24/1973
Mount Fair Jct. of VA 673 and VA 810 Browns Cove 12/28/1990
East of VA 795, about 4 mi. N of
Mount Ida Scottsville Scottsville 4/27/1987

43
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Resource Name Address City Listed

Mount Walla 604 Poplar Springs Rd. Scottsville 11/22/2000
Mountain Grove NW of Esmont on VA 717 Esmont 9/8/1980
Piedmont Jct. of I-64 and VA 691 Greenwood 2/1/1991
Pine Knot VA 712 Glendower 2/1/1989
Plain Dealing E of Keene Keene 5/6/1980
Roughly the area around the jct. of
Proffit Historic District Southern RR tracks and VA 649 Proffit 2/5/1999
Ramsay 7760 Rockfish Gap Turnpike Greenwood 3/10/2005
Red Hills 2051 Polo Grounds Rd. Charlottesville 2/13/1998
Redlands Jct. of Rtes. 708 and 627 Covesville 11/12/1969
Scottsville Historic
District VA 6 Scottsville 7/30/1976
Roughly bounded bb the James River,
Scottsville Historic Town Limit, the Riverview and Mount
District (Boundary Walla, Oakwood and Cliffside, and
Increase) Chester Scottsville 2/11/2004
Seven Oaks Farm and
Black's Tavern US 250, W of US 64 Greenwood 12/26/1989
2 mi. NNW of Charlottesville near jct. of
Shack Mountain VA 657 and 743 Charlottesville 9/1/1976
Shenandoah National Park, from the N
Skyline Drive Historic entrance station at Front Royal to the S
District entrance station at Rockfish Gap Luray 4/28/1997
Southwest Mountains Roughly bounded by I-64, VA 20,
Rural Historic District Orange Co. line and C &O RR tracks Keswick 2/27/1992
Spring Hill VA 637 and 786 Ivy 11/21/1983
NE of Covesville, W of jct. of VA 712
Sunny Bank and VA 631 South Garden 12/12/1976
Sunnyfields VA 53 W side at jct. with VA 732 Simeon 6/10/1993
The Rectory Jct. of VA 712 and VA 713 Keene 11/7/1991
Walker House VA 627 S of jct. with VA 726 Warren 12/28/1990
West Cote Off VA 602 and VA 626 Howardsville 1/24/2002
Woodburn Address Restricted Charlottesville 1/28/2000
Charlottesville
(Independent
Woodlands VA 676 City) 11/2/1989
Woodstock Hall Tavern VA 637 Ivy 1/29/1987

44
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Published historical places in the City of Charlottesville, VA are shown below in Table 4-8:

Table 4-8: Places of Historical or Archaeological Significance in Charlottesville, VA

Resource Name Address City Listed

Abell-Gleason House 521 N. First Street Charlottesville 02/16/2002

Albemarle County
Courthouse Historic Courthouse Square and surrounding
District properties Charlottesville 06/30/1972
Anderson Brothers
Building 1417-1427 University Ave. Charlottesville 10/21/1982
Armstrong Knitting
Factory 700 Harris St. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Barringer Mansion 1404 Jefferson Park Ave. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Belmont 759 Belmont Ave. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Carter-Gilmer House 802 E. Jefferson St. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Charlottesville and
Albemarle County Roughly bounded by Park, Water,
Courthouse Saxton, and Main Sts. Charlottesville 07/28/1982
Dabney-Thompson
House 1602 Gordon Ave. Charlottesvill 01/10/1984

Delevan Baptist Church 632 W. Main St. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Enderly 603 Watson Ave. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Ficklin-Crawford
Cottage 1200 Carlton Ave. Charlottesville 10/21/1982
Fifeville and Tonsler Bounded by Cherry Ave, to the S., the
Neighborhoods Historic railway to the N., 4th St., SW to the E.,
District and Spring St., to the W. Charlottesville 06/18/2009

Four Acres 1314 Rugby Rd. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Gardner-Mays Cottage 1022 Grove St. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Hard Bargain 1105 Park St. Charlottesville 01/10/1984

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Resource Name Address City Listed

Holt, Charles B., House 1010 Preston Ave. Charlottesville 04/14/2006

Hotel
Gleason/Albemarle
Hote, Imperial Café 617-619 W. Main St. Charlottesville 08/10/1983

House at Pireus 302 Riverside Ave. Charlottesville 08/10/1983

Jackson Park, bounded by High,
Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, and 4th Sts., and Albemarle
Jonathan, Sculpture Co. Courthouse Charlottesville 05/16/1997
Jefferson School, Carver
Recreation Center, and
School Site 233 Fourth St., NW Charlottesville 02/15/2006
Includes parts of Lexington, Locust &
Jefferson, Martha, Grove Aves., & E. High, Maple,
Historic District Sycamore, Poplar & Hazel Sts. Charlottesville 02/21/2008
King Lumber Company
Warehouse 608 Preston Ave. Charlottesville 08/10/1983

King-Runkle House 201 14th St., NW Charlottesville 08/10/1983

Lee, Rober Edward, Lee Park, bounded by Market, Jefferson,
Sculpture 1st and 2nd Sts., NE Charlottesville 05/16/1997

Lewis Farm 1201 Jefferson St. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Lewis, Meriwether and Jct. of Ridge and W. Main Sts., and
William Clark, Sculpture McIntire Rd. Charlottesville 05/16/1997

Locust Grove 810 Locust Ave. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Marshall-Rucker-Smith
House 620 Park St. Charlottesville 06/25/1999

McConnel-Neve House 228 14th St., NW Charlottesville 08/10/1983

McGuffey, William H.,
Primary School 201 2nd St., NW Charlottesville 12/23/2009

Memorial Gymnasium 210 S. Emmett St. Charlottesville 12/04/2004

Monroe Hill 252 and 256 McCormick Rd. Charlottesville 06/02/2004

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Resource Name Address City Listed

Montebello 1700 Stadium Rd. Charlottesville 10/23/2003

Morea 209-211 Sprigg Lane Charlottesville 05/03/1984

Mount Zion Baptist
Church 105 Ridge St. Charlottesville 10/15/1992

Oak Lawn Cherry Ave. and 9th St. Charlottesville 05/25/1973

Oakhurst-Gildersleeve Oakhurst Circle, Gildersleeve Wood,
Neighborhood Historic Valley Rd., Valley Circle, and part of
District Maywood Ln., and Jefferson Park Ave. Charlottesville 03/25/2009

Patton Mansion 1018 W. Main St. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Paxton Place 503 W. Main St. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Peyton-Ellinton Building 711 W. Main St. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Piereus Store 1901 E. Market St. Charlottesville 08/10/1983

Pitts-Inge 331-333 W. Main St. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Preston Court
Apartments 1600 Grady Ave. Charlottesville 10/29/2007

Recoleta 120 Rothery Rd. Charlottesville 08/11/2004

Ridge Street Historic
District 200-700 Ridge St. Charlottesville 10/21/1982
Robertson, Judge
William J., House 705 Park St. Charlottesville 12/22/1999
Rose Cottage/Peyton
House 800 Delevan St. Charlottesville 08/10/1983
Rotunda, University of
Virginia University of Virginia Charlottesville 10/15/1966
Rugby Road-University Roughly bounded by University Ave.,
Corner Historic District Wayside Pl., 14th St., and US 29 Charlottesville 02/16/1984

Stonefield 1204 Rugby Rd. Charlottesville 01/10/1984

47
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Resource Name Address City Listed

Sunnyside 2150 Barracks Rd. Charlottesville 10/23/2003

Timberlake-Branham
House 1512 E. Market St. Charlottesville 01/10/1984
Tonsler, Benjamin,
House 327 6th St. Charlottesville 08/10/1983

Turner-LaRowe House 1 University Court Charlottesville 08/10/1983

Bounded by University and Jefferson
University of Virginia Park Aves., and Hospital and
Historic District McCormick Rds. Charlottesville 11/20/1970
Updike, Robert L.,
House 620 Prospect Ave. Charlottesville 08/10/1983

Vowles, John, House 1111-1113 W. Main St. Charlottesville 11/02/1989

Wertland Street Historic
District Wertland St. between 10th and 14th Sts. Charlottesville 02/14/1985
White Cross-Huntley
Hall 152 Stribling Ave. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Woolen Mills Chapel 1819 E. Market St. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Parks of Chesapeake, Market, and other
Woolen Mills Village sts., in Charlottesville; parts of Pireus
Historic District Row and Marchant Charlottesville 04/12/2010

Wynhurst 605 Preston Pl. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

Young Building 1102 Carlton Ave. Charlottesville 10/21/1982

4.6 Unusual Geologic Formations and Special Soil Types (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.5)

Albemarle County has a unique hydrogeology that is characterized by fractured-bedrock and abrupt
changes in topography that leads to inconsistent yields and difficulties in monitoring groundwater
resources at depths greater than 200 feet (Source: Developing a Groundwater Monitoring System for
Albemarle County, Virginia, 2008). Although groundwater for domestic purposes is consistently
available throughout the county, water intensive industrial or commercial development may be affected
by localized or non-continuous aquifers associated with unique subsurface geological characteristics
existing throughout Albemarle County.

48
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

The crystalline bedrock of Albemarle County can be divided into four hydrogeologic classifications
including cataclastic and metasedimentary rocks, metasedimentary and sedimentary rocks, metavolcanic
rocks, and igneous and metasedimentary rocks. Groundwater within metavolcanic rocks comprising the
Catoctin Formation is generally more accessible than the metasedimarnary rocks that are located in the
eastern part of the county. Water bearing fractures in the eastern portion of the country do not typically
extend beyond 200 feet below the ground surface.

The bedrock in Albemarle County is unusually dense and subsurface water is typically only stored in
fractures. One benefit to this unique feature is that fracture-trace mapping is highly effective. Fracture-
tracing is a groundwater modeling and tracking method that uses surface features to identity areas where
groundwater yields are high. Although fracture-tracing is not typically required for single family
dwellings, it should be considered in the development of industrial or commercial plans or large future
residential developments. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, wells located by the fracture
tracing method consistently produce yields up to 50 times the average water production from when
compared to a well placed without fracture tracing in the same rock type (Source: Ground Water
Resources of Albemarle County, Virginia, 1980).

For more information on the geology of Albemarle County, see Section 4.1 Geologic, Hydrologic, and
Meteorological Data.

4.7 Wetlands (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.6)

Wetlands are defined under the Clean Water Act Section 404 as “areas that are inundated or saturated by
surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal
circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil
conditions”. Palustrine or non-tidal wetlands are commonly located within floodplains and depressions
that collect sufficient amounts of surface or groundwater. Common definitive wetlands are swamps,
marshes, and wet meadows. Wetlands serve a fundamental role within the ecology of an area. Wetlands
provide mass volumes of food for many species and are considered breeding grounds for waterfowl.
Wetlands also serve as a natural filter for various wastes and sediment from excessive runoff from
substantial rainfalls or flooding.

Under the 1987 United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wetland Delineation Manual, a
wetland is graded on three criteria: Hydrology, Vegetation and Soils. The National Wetland Inventory
(NWI) is serviced by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), and serves as the principal
federal agency to provide documentation of largely known wetlands within the United States. However,
not all wetlands are documented through the NWI and a site specific wetland survey would usually need
to be conducted to examine the three core criteria for wetlands. Wetlands are regulated under the Clean
Water Act 401/404 and require Federal/State consultation and approval if impacts were to occur within
wetlands.

Wetlands within Albemarle County are mostly located within existing floodplains of perennial streams or
naturally occurring drainages. The types of wetlands and representative totals for the planning area are
given in Table 4-9 and located as shown in Figure 4-2.

49
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Table 4-9: Wetlands in Albemarle County, VA

Wetland Type Total (acres)

Freshwater Emergent Wetland 723.8
Freshwater Forest/Shrub Wetland 2126.8
Freshwater Pond 1756.4
Lake 838.5
Riverine 474.2
Other 14.3

50
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Figure 4-2: Wetlands in Albemarle County, VA

51
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

4.8 Riparian Buffers and Conservation Easements (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.7)

4.8.1 Riparian Buffers

Riparian buffers are designated vegetated areas placed adjacent to bodies of water that are susceptible to
nonpoint source pollution, bank erosion, and loss of aquatic and wildlife habitat. Buffers with nearly any
type of vegetation are beneficial; however, the most effective buffers are composed of large trees with
substantial underlying growth of shrubs and grasses. Maintenance of buffers is critical to ensuring
maximum effectiveness. Buffer integrity should be protected against soil compaction, loss of vegetation,
and stream incision. A well established 100 foot wide riparian buffer can provide up to a 75% reduction
in sediment run-off and a 80% reduction in nutrients (Source: Riparian Buffer Width, Vegetative Cover,
and Nitrogen Removal Effectiveness: A Review of Current Science and Regulations, US EPA, 2005).

In recognition of the water quality benefits provided by forested riparian buffers, in 1998, Albemarle
County adopted a Water Protection Ordinance that incorporates the riparian buffer component of the
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. The County requires a 100-foot buffer on both sides of all perennial
streams in the County, and a 100-foot buffer on both sides of intermittent streams within subwatersheds
draining to a drinking water supply. In addition, the County requires a 200-foot buffer around drinking
water reservoirs. The Water Protection Ordinance requires that the target vegetative cover in the riparian
buffer will be an indigenous riparian forest with ground cover, shrub, and tree canopy layers. An
approximate number of stream miles in the County that require a buffer is 1,469 miles.

The City of Charlottesville has also adopted a Water Protection Ordinance which requires a 100-foot
buffer on both sides of the Rivanna River, Moore’s Creek, and Meadow Creek, for the purposes of
retarding runoff, preventing erosion, and filtering non-point source pollution from runoff. The City of
Charlottesville Water Protection Ordinance requires that the target vegetative cover in the riparian buffer
be an indigenous riparian forest with ground cover, shrub, and tree canopy layors, similar to the
requirement for Albemarle County.

4.8.2 Conservation and Land Easements

A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a private landowner and a qualified land
trust or government for the purpose of conservation. Easements provide permanent limits to the uses of
the land in order to protect ecological, historical, or scenic resources. Easements can also provide
financial benefits in the form of income tax deductions for owners of significant property who give up
certain rights of ownership to preserve their land or buildings for future generations. According to the
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, there are approximately 84,000 acres of
conservation easements in Albemarle County under numerous holders as shown in Table 4-10 and Figure
4-3.

52
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Figure 4-3: Conservation Easements in Albemarle County, VA

53
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Table 4-10: Conservation and Land Easements in Albemarle County, VA

Holder Total (acres)

Albemarle County 13,339.36
Piedmont Environment Council 534.67
The Nature Conversancy 6,158.31
Thomas Jefferson SWCD 53.43
US Forest Service 34.77
US National Park Service 6.24
VA Dept of Conservation and Recreation 95.05
VA Dept of Historical Resources 1,173.46
VA Outdoors Foundation 62,633.52
Total 84,028.81

4.9 Land Use and Land Coverage (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.8)

Land coverage in Albemarle county is undeveloped-rural to semi-rural development with occasional areas
of sprawling suburban residential to urban development. Over three quarters of county land area remains
forested, with an additional 20 percent of the county land devoted to farming or pasture land. The
remaining county land comprised of low intensity residential development and commercial and industrial
development is almost completely isolated to within the City of Charlottesville and along Highway I-64.
Additional smaller pockets of dense or industrial development also exist in select towns throughout other
parts of the county.

Conservation of rural land has preserved close to 84,000 acres of Albemarle County through easements
held by legislation or organizations such as the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the
Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and The Nature Conservancy. Numerous historical sites are
also preserved through similar holdings and preservation acts.

Estimated land coverage in Albemarle County was determined by using the Virginia Gazetter Searchable
Database provided by the University of Virginia as shown in Table 4-11, Table 4-12, and Figure 4-4:

Table 4-11: Land Use and Land Coverage for Albemarle County, VA

Land Cover Type Percent

Pasture/Hay 21.7
Row Crops 0.9
Open Water 0.7
Low Intensity Residential 2.1
Commercial/Industrial/Transportation 0.6
Transitional 0.8
Deciduous Forest 45.3
Evergreen Forest 8.3
Mixed Forest 18.8

54
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Table 4-12: Land Use and Coverage for the City of Charlottesville, VA

Land Cover Type Percent

Pasture/Hay 3.9
Open Water 0.5
Low Intensity Residential 44.4
Urban/Recreational Grasses 0.5
Commercial/Industrial/Transportation 9.6
Transitional 0.9
Deciduous Forest 12.6
Evergreen Forest 9.8
Mixed Forest 17.4

Total impervious area for Albemarle County is approximately 3.5 percent of the total land area.
Impervious area is the sum of the percentages of Low Intensity Residential,
Commercial/Industrial/Transportation, and Transistional land cover. The majority of the impervious area
within the planning area is centered on the City of Charlottesville, along the I-64 corridor, and within the
other selected towns and communities distributed throughout the planning area. Impervious area within
the City of Charlottesville is approximately 54.9 percent.

Albemarle County is responsible for zoning laws and planned development. Future development is
expected to be concentrated within the area surrounding Charlottesville and the area directly adjacent
to highway I-64. Increased development within these corridors could impact water quality by
replacing natural or lightly developed land with impervious surfaces or industry. Sprawling
development should be contained to planned areas that will prevent the excessive elimination of
pristine forests or pastureland. See Section 4.12 Other Potential Threats to Existing Water Quantity
and Quality for additional details on water quality impacts resulting from development.

55
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Figure 4-4: Land Use and Cover in Albemarle County, VA

56
Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

4.9.1 Source Water Assessment Program

The Virginia Department of Health was required by the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking
Water Act to develop a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) to provide support for protecting
the drinking water resources from degradation as the result of residential, industrial, commercial,
agricultural, waste management, or transportation activities. The SWAP includes establishing the
boundaries of a drinking water source, document land use activities, and determining the
susceptibility of the drinking water source to those activities.

The most predominate risk to viable public water works is future land use development in source
water protection areas. In February 2006, a listing of all waterworks was compiled with associated
susceptibility rankings. Table 4-13 below is a summary of the water sources within the planning area
included in the listing with associated susceptibility rankings.

Table 4-13: Water Sources in Source Water Assessment Program in Albemarle County, VA

Assessment Type of
PWSID Name Source Name Susceptibility
Date System*
2003075 4F, LLC Well 3 High 3/27/2002 NTNC
2003075 4F, LLC Well 3A High 3/27/2002 NTNC
2003100 Ash Lawn Drilled Well High 3/27/2002 NC
2003825 Avionics Specialties Well 1 High 9/3/2002 NTNC
2003825 Avionics Specialties Well 2 High 9/3/2002 NTNC
2003150 Bedford Hills Well 2 High 3/27/2002 C
2003150 Bedford Hills Well 3 High 3/27/2002 C
2003150 Bedford Hills Well 4 High 3/27/2002 C
2003162 Ben F. Yancey School Well High 3/27/2002 NTNC
2003170 Broadus Wood School Well 1 High 4/23/2002 NTNC
2003170 Broadus Wood School Well 2 High 4/23/2002 NTNC
2003170 Broadus Wood School Well 3 High 4/23/2002 NTNC
2003175 Burton Court Apartments Drilled Well High 3/27/2002 C
2003177 Charlottesville KOA Well High 10/1/2002 NC
2003203 Charlottesville Moose Lodge Well 1 High 11/19/2002 NC
2003203 Charlottesville Moose Lodge Well 2 High 11/19/2002 NC
2003203 Charlottesville Moose Lodge Well 3 High 11/19/2002 NC
2003203 Charlottesville Moose Lodge Well 4 High 11/19/2002 NC
2003206 Chris Greene Lake C Greene Well High 11/19/2002 NC
2003850 Corville Farm Subdivision Well C C
2003215 Cove Creek Park Well 1 High 1/28/2003 NC
2003215 Cove Creek Park Well 2 High 1/28/2003 NC
2003230 Crossroads Store Well High 10/1/2002 NC
2003250 Crozet WTP Beaver Creek High 4/12/2002 C
Reservoir
2003254 Duners Restaurant Drilled Well High 10/1/2002 NC
2003255 Earlysville Forest Well 1 High 3/27/2002 C
2003255 Earlysville Forest Well 2 High 3/27/2002 C
2003255 Earlysville Forest Well 4 High 3/27/2002 C
2003255 Earlysville Forest Well 5 High 3/27/2002 C
2003255 Earlysville Forest Well 6 High 3/27/2002 C

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Assessment Type of
PWSID Name Source Name Susceptibility
Date System*
2003255 Earlysville Forest Well 8 High 3/27/2002 C
2003860 Earlysville Green Shopping Drilled Well High 11/19/2002 NC
Center
2003260 Faith Mission Home Well 1 High 6/21/2002 C
2003260 Faith Mission Home Well 2 High 6/21/2002 C
2003263 Forest Lodge Water Co. Well No. 2 High 1/27/2003 C
2003270 Free Union Country School Well 1 High 9/3/2002 NTNC
2003275 Glenaire Subdivision Well 2 High 6/21/2002 C
2003275 Glenaire Subdivision Well 2B High 6/21/2002 C
2003350 I64 Rest Area Ebl Well High 4/23/2002 NC
2003351 I64 Rest Area Wbl Well High 4/23/2002 NC
2003342 Innisfree Village Amity Well High 9/10/2002 C
2003342 Innisfree Village Meadow Well High 9/10/2002 C
2003345 International Cold Storage Well High 10/1/2002 NTNC
2003352 Ivy Creek Natural Area Drilled Well High 11/19/2002 NC
2003355 Ivy Farms Water Co. Drilled Well High 6/21/2002 C
2003400 Keswick Hall Well 1 High 6/21/2002 C
2003400 Keswick Hall Well 2 High 6/21/2002 C
2003400 Keswick Hall Well 4 6/21/2002 C
2003440 Langford Subdivision Drilled Well High 6/21/2002 C
2003443 Little Keswick School Well 1 High 6/21/2002 C
2003443 Little Keswick School Well 2 6/21/2002 C
2003475 Miller School Well 2 High 9/10/2002 C
2003475 Miller School Well 3 Moderate 9/10/2002 C
2003478 Millstone Of Ivy Well High 9/3/2002 NTNC
2003665 Misty Mountain Camp Resort Deep Well High 10/1/2002 NC
2003525 North Rivanna WTP North Fork Rivanna High 3/25/2002 C
River
2003575 Oak Hill Trailer Park Drilled Well High 7/10/2002 C
2003600 Observatory WTP Mechums River High 9/4/2002 C
2003600 Observatory WTP Ragged Mountain Moderate 9/4/2002 C
2003600 Observatory WTP Sugar Hollow Moderate 9/4/2002 C
Reservoir
2003650 Peacock Hill Subdivision Well 1 High 6/21/2002 C
2003650 Peacock Hill Subdivision Well 2 High 6/21/2002 C
2003650 Peacock Hill Subdivision Well 3 High 6/21/2002 C
2003650 Peacock Hill Subdivision Well 4 High 6/21/2002 C
2003650 Peacock Hill Subdivision Well 5 High 6/21/2002 C
2003650 Peacock Hill Subdivision Well 6 High 6/21/2002 C
2003650 Peacock Hill Subdivision Well 7 High 6/21/2002 C
2003650 Peacock Hill Subdivision Well 8 High 6/21/2002 C
2003660 Red Hill School Well 2 High 4/23/2002 NTNC
2003660 Red Hill School Well 3 High 4/23/2002 NTNC
2003660 Red Hill School Well 4 High 4/23/2002 NTNC
2003680 Scottsville Elementary School Drilled Well High 4/23/2002 NTNC
2003675 Scottsville WTP Totier Ck Res High 4/9/2002 C
2003700 Sleepy Hollow T. P. Well 2 High 6/21/2002 C
2003253 SNP-Dundo Spring No. 1 Moderate 9/3/2002 NC

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Assessment Type of
PWSID Name Source Name Susceptibility
Date System*
2003253 SNP-Dundo Well No. 1 Moderate 9/3/2002 NC
2003444 SNP-Loft Mountain Well No. 1 High 9/18/2002 NC
2003444 SNP-Loft Mountain Well No. 2 High 9/18/2002 NC
2003725 South Rivanna WTP South Fork Rivanna High 3/25/2002 C
Reservoir
2003810 Stony Point School Drilled Well High 4/23/2002 NTNC
2125350 The Monroe Institute Well NC
2003885 Virginia Murray School Drilled Well High 4/23/2002 NTNC
2003880 Walton Middle School Drilled Well High 4/23/2002 NTNC
2003900 Woodsedge Subdivision Drilled Well High 9/11/2002 C
2003950 Wray 5 Building Well 1 High 11/19/2002 NC
*NTNC = Non-Transient, Non-Community; NC = Non-Community, C = Community

4.10 Impaired Streams (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.9)

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released the Final 2010 305(b)/303(d)
Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report (2010 Integrated Report) on February 9, 2011. The
2010 Integrated Report is a summary of the water quality conditions in Virginia from January 1,
2003 through December 31, 2008. The DEQ develops and submits this report to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency every even-numbered year.

The report satisfies the requirements of the U.S. Clean Water Act sections 305(b) and 303(d) and the
Virginia Water Quality Monitoring, Information and Restoration Act. The goals of Virginia's water
quality assessment program are to determine whether waters meet water quality standards, and to
establish a schedule to restore waters with impaired water quality.

Waters are defined as impaired when they do not support, or only partially support, one or more of
five designated uses including aquatic life, fish consumption, shellfish consumption, swimming, and
drinking water. Support of the designated uses is based on compliance with Virginia’s Water Quality
Standards which is determined by the assessment of all available monitoring data and water quality
information through numeric and narrative criteria. Bodies of water containing more contamination
than allowed by water quality standards will be reported as "impaired" and in most cases a cleanup
plan (called a "total maximum daily load") must be developed and implemented to restore impaired
waters.

Impaired waters spanning County borders are included in reports/listing for all counties crossed.
Albemarle County contained numerous impaired waterways that span five major watersheds draining
to the Moormans River, Mechums River, Ivy Creek, Buck Mountain Creek, and the South Fork
Rivanna River Reservoir. Impaired waters for Albemarle County are listed below in Table 4-14 and
shown in Figure 4-5 along with their associated watershed:

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Table 4-14: Impaired Streams in Albemarle County, VA

Stream Name Location Impairment Size Units

James River, Holcomb Rock Dam to the confluence of

PCB in Fish Tissue 201.78 miles
Slate River the Rivanna River

From the RWSA-Scottsville Public

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
Totier Creek Water Intake downstream to its 0.73 miles
Bioassessments
confluence with the James River

Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek Reservoir pH 95.54 acres
Reservoir

Broad Axe From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

1.95 miles
Run confluence with the Mechums River Bioassessments

Lickinghole From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

8.46 miles
Creek confluence with the Mechums River. Bioassessments

Mechums From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

14.06 miles
River confluence with Lickinghole Creek Bioassessments

Slabtown From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

2.33 miles
Branch confluence with lickinghole Creek Bioassessments

Stockton From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

10.56 miles
Creek confluence with the Mechums River Bioassessments

Parrott Branch From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

1.16 miles
X-trib confluence with Parrott Branch Bioassessments

North Fork
From the headwaters downstream to the
Moormans Dissolved Oxygen 10.96 miles
Charlottesville Reservoir
River

Buck From its headwaters downstream to its

Mountain confluence with the South Fork Rivanna Escherichia coli 9.92 miles
Creek River

From its headwaters downstream to its

Ivy Creek pH 5.22 miles
confluence with the Little Ivy Creek

From its headwaters downstream to its

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
Ivy Creek confluence with the South Fork Rivanna 11.41 miles
Bioassessments
River Reservoir

From the RWSA SF Rivanna River

South Fork Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
Public Water Intake downstream to its 3.38 miles
Rivanna River Bioassessments
confluence with the Rivanna River

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Stream Name Location Impairment Size Units

From the Headwaters downstream to its

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
Powell Creek confluence with the South Fork Rivanna 2.26 miles
Bioassessments
River

From the headwaters downstream to its

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
Naked Creek confluence with the South Fork Rivanna 2.7 miles
Bioassessments
Reservoir

South Fork From the headwaters downstream to its

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
Rivanna River confluence with the South Fork Rivanna 1.86 miles
Bioassessments
X-trib River

Flat Branch X- From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

2.01 miles
trib confluence with Flat Branch Bioassessments

From its confluence with Welsh Run

Swift Run downstream to its confluence with the Escherichia coli 1.74 miles
North Fork Rivanna River

Preddy Creek From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

11.91 miles
North Branch confluence with Preddy Creek Bioassessments

From the headwaters downstream to its

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
Marsh Run confluence with North Fork Rivanna 3.61 miles
Bioassessments
River

Ragged
Mountain Ragged Mountain Reservoir pH 70.74 acres
Reservoir

From its confluence with the Ragged

Mountain Dam receiving stream Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
Moores Creek 6.37 miles
downstream to its confluence with the Bioassessments
Rivanna River

Moores Creek From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

1.57 miles
X-trib confluence with Moores Creek Bioassessments

From where it becomes a perennial

Meadow Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
stream downstream to its confluence 4 miles
Creek Bioassessments
with Moores Creek

Beginning near Rothery Street

Meadow Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
downstream to its confluence with 1.88 miles
Creek X-trib Bioassessments
Meadow Creek

From the tributary at the mobile home

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
Biscuit Run park downstream to its confluence with 4.27 miles
Bioassessments
Moores Creek

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Stream Name Location Impairment Size Units

From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

Morey Creek 2.52 miles
confluence with Moores Creek Bioassessments

From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

Town Branch 1.2 miles
confluence with the Rivanna River Bioassessments

Buck Island From the headwaters downstream to its

Escherichia coli 8.98 miles
Creek confluence with the Rivanna River

From the 5 mile upper limit of the PWS

designation for the Lake Monticello
Buck Island Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
Service Authority Public Water Intake 2.58 miles
Creek Bioassessments
downstream to its confluence with the
Rivanna River

From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

Carroll Creek 9.12 miles
confluence with the Rivanna River Bioassessments

X-trib to From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

1.74 miles
Boston Creek confluence with Boston Creek Bioassessments

Schenks From the headwaters downstream to its

Escherichia coli 1.13 miles
Branch confluence with Meadow Creek

Schenks From the headwaters downstream to its Benthic-Macroinvertebrate

1.13 miles
Branch confluence with Meadow Creek Bioassessments

Begins at the headwaters of Wheeler

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate
Wheeler Creek Creek and continues downstream until 5.66 miles
Bioassessments
the confluence with Camp Creek

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

Figure 4-5: Impaired Streams in Albemarle County, VA

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 Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

4.11 Point Source Discharges (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.10)

Permits for municipal or commercial point source discharges are issued under the Virginia Pollution
Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) for a period of 5 years before they must be reviewed and re-
issued. The EPA is given ultimate jurisdiction over the VPDES and maintains an online database
with the name, location, permit date, and facility description of each discharge permit. Table 4-15
lists discharge permits that are registered for Albemarle County and Charlottesville City:

Table 4-15: Dischare Permits Issued in Albemarle County and Charlottesville, VA

USGS
COUNTY/CITY HYDR
NPDES ID FACILITY NAME ADDRESS SIC DESC
NAME UNIT
CODE

Sewerage
VAL025488 Camelot STP Charlottesville, VA Charlottesville -----
Systems
4285 Seminole Trail, Sewerage
VA0025488 Camelot WWTP Albemarle 2080204
Charlottesville, VA 22911 Systems
Coiners' Scrap Iron 100 Meade Avenue,
Scrap And
VAU000039 And Metal Charlottesville, VA 22902- Charlottesville -----
Waste Materials
Incorporated 5453
Comfort Inn E Of Charlottesville, Se Of I- Sewerage
VA0075981 Albemarle 2080204
Monticello STP 64, Charlottesville, VA 22911 Systems
1538 East High Street,
Cosnerbros Bodyshop Motor Vehicle
VAU001575 Charlottesville, VA 22902- Albemarle -----
Inc Parts, Used
4997
Carrol Creek Road, Glenmore Sewerage
VA0086584 Glenmore STP Albemarle 2080204
Su, Charlottesville, VA 22902 Systems
Sewerage
VAL086584 Glenmore STP Charlottesville, VA Charlottesville -----
Systems
695 Moores Creek Lane,
Moores Creek Sewerage
VA0025518 Charlottesville, VA 22902- Charlottesville 2080204
Regional STP Systems
9016
730 Saint Ives Rd,
VA0091120 North Rivanna WTP Albemarle Water Supply 2080204
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Rivanna Authority-
VAP025496 Charlottesville, VA Charlottesville ----- -----
Brownsville
Rivanna Authority-
VAP025470 Charlottesville, VA Charlottesville ----- -----
Scottsville
Sewerage
VAL025470 Scottsville STP Charlottesville, VA Charlottesville -----
Systems
State Route 726
VA0055018 Scottsville WTP Albemarle Water Supply 2080203
Charlottesville, VA 22902

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 Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

USGS
COUNTY/CITY HYDR
NPDES ID FACILITY NAME ADDRESS SIC DESC
NAME UNIT
CODE

958 N Milton Rd, Elementary And

Stone Robinson
VA0076244 Charlottesville, VA 22911- Albemarle Secondary 2080204
Elementary School
3612 Schools
General
Woodland Of (Dovetail Companies), Contractors-
VAU001793 Albemarle -----
Charlottesville Charlottesville, VA 22902 Single-Family
Houses

4285 Seminole Trail, Sewerage

VA0025488 Camelot WWTP Albemarle 2080204
Charlottesville, VA 22911 Systems

Central Virginia Route 3 Box 81j, Scottsville, Motor Vehicle

VAU000032 Albemarle -----
Salvage VA 24590 Parts, Used

Comfort Inn E Of Charlottesville, Se Of I-, Sewerage

VA0075981 Albemarle 2080204
Monticello STP Charlottesville, VA 22911 Systems

Current-
Cooper Fm 395 Reas Ford Road,
VA0027065 Albemarle Carrying Wiring 2080204
Incorporated Earlysville, VA 22936-2461
Devices

1538 East High Street,

Cosnerbros Bodyshop Motor Vehicle
VAU001575 Charlottesville, VA 22902- Albemarle -----
Inc Parts, Used
4997

Crossroads Village 4916 Plank Rd, North Garden,

VA0083291 Albemarle Eating Places 2080203
Center STP VA 22959

VA0055000 Crozet WTP Rte 240, Crozet, VA 22932 Albemarle Water Supply 2080204

Carrol Creek Road, Glenmore Sewerage

VA0086584 Glenmore STP Albemarle 2080204
Su, Charlottesville, VA 22902 Systems

701 Club Dr, Keswick, VA Hotels And

VA0085979 Keswick Corporation Albemarle 2080204
22947 Motels

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 Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

USGS
COUNTY/CITY HYDR
NPDES ID FACILITY NAME ADDRESS SIC DESC
NAME UNIT
CODE

730 Saint Ives Rd,

VA0091120 North Rivanna WTP Albemarle Water Supply 2080204
Charlottesville, VA 22911

State Rte 1303, Scottsville, Sewerage

VA0025470 Scottsville STP Albemarle 2080203
VA 24590 Systems

State Route 726,

VA0055018 Scottsville WTP Albemarle Water Supply 2080203
Charlottesville, VA 22902

958 N Milton Rd, Elementary And

Stone Robinson
VA0076244 Charlottesville, VA 22911- Albemarle Secondary 2080204
Elementary School
3612 Schools

3367 Earlysville Road, Sewerage

VA0028398 Teledyne Avionics Albemarle 2080204
Earlysville, VA 22936-2811 Systems

Tenaska Virginia 2300 Branch Road, Electric

VA0090905 Albemarle 2080204
Generating Station Scottsville, VA 24590-4516 Services

4.12 Other Potential Threats to Existing Water Quantity and Quality (9 VAC 25-780-90 B.11)

Future residential, commercial and industrial development in Albemarle County may impact the
quality and quantity of water resources by placing a greater demand on obtainable water and
increasing the risk of contamination.

Future development may exacerbate the conditions of the already impaired bodies of water within the
planning area. Additional impervious surfaces can lead to excess fertilizers, pathogens, waste,
gasoline, motor oil, and heavy metals entering bodies of water. In addition, impervious surfaces
increase sediment loads and peak storm flow rates in surface water by increasing the velocity of
runoff and preventing groundwater infiltration. Additionally, any future development that converts
pristine forest to farmland or development could impact the quality and quantity of water supplies by
preventing groundwater recharge, increasing the speed of runoff, and contributing fertilizers and
pollutants to bodies of water.

The groundwater of Albemarle County is nearly pristine in quality because much of the region’s
subsurface water is protected by a thick mantle of residual soil. Localized areas have experienced

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

contamination from septic tanks, fuel spills, industry, and landfills. Septic tanks are an effective
solution to rural and residential wastewater treatment when designed correctly; however, poorly
designed or operated septic tanks can contaminate groundwater with nitrites, phosphates, bacteria,
and viruses. Similarly, leaking or mishandled fuel storage tanks can contaminate aquifers with
hydrocarbons, which cause offensive tastes and odors even at extremely low concentrations. An
increase in waste products from a growing population can lead to increases in leachate from landfills.
Leachate often contains highly concentrated quantities of toxic heavy metals and pollutants that even
in small doses can be detrimental to aquatic ecosystems and water quality. To date, responsible
management practices have prevented widespread contamination; however, future development and
increases in population may create new potential sources for more pollution and increase direct
human contact with groundwater through additional wells and groundwater withdrawal. Bedrock
below much of the county can be particularly conducive to groundwater contamination, because
large crevices can quickly absorb and transport contaminants for long distances away from the
source. Finally, groundwater withdrawal rates should be strictly monitored to prevent a lowering of
the water table. Overdrafting of groundwater is currently not a problem in Albemarle County;
however, if development is pursued without considering the recharge and movement of groundwater,
many wells could be rendered useless.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

5.0 PROJECTED WATER DEMAND INFORMATION (9 VAC 25-780-100)

Projected water demand information for this Regional Water Plan is provided in a separate report
prepared by AECOM Technical Services Inc. under contract with the Rivanna Water and Sewer
Authority. The report is titled Regional Water Demand Forecasts and is dated September 29, 2011.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

6.0 WATER DEMAND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION (9 VAC 25-780-110)

Section 110 of the regulation requests a description of practices for more efficient use of water within
the planning area. This section addresses water demand management practices for Albemarle County,
the Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA), the City of Charlottesville (City), and the Rivanna
Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA). These practices were considered in the development of the
projected water demands discussed in Section 5.0 above.

By agreement among the City, the ACSA, and the RWSA, the lead role with respect to the regulation
and promotion of water demand management within the region encompassing Albemarle County, the
City of Charlottesville, and the Town of Scottsville, is shared jointly by the public water retail
agencies within their respective jurisdictions: the ACSA and City. The ACSA has the lead role for
the ACSA Urban Area, the Crozet area, and within the Town of Scottsville. The City has the lead
role in the City of Charlottesville. The City and ACSA coordinate public announcements and public
education to assure a uniform message is delivered. While the RWSA is a strong advocate for water
demand management, RWSA’s role is to support the City and ACSA policies and programs and is
not a lead role in public outreach. This avoids duplication of effort between governmental agencies,
for efficiency, as well as avoids the possibility of conflicting messages.
6.1. Efficient Water Use through Ordinance Requirements

Albemarle County, including the Town of Scottsville, and the City of Charlottesville both have
building codes that incorporate the Virginia Statewide Building Code by reference. Changes to the
USBC, including requirements to limit the maximum flow of water closets, urinals, and appliances
are automatically part of each locality’s building code. These requirements are enforced as part of
the locality’s building permit and inspections programs. In addition, the City of Charlottesville
requires that drought resistant native plant species be used to visually screen free standing
communications facilities.

The Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) requires that all new irrigation systems must have
a dedicated service line and meter, and be equipped with a rain sensor. The ACSA regulations
specifically include the right to terminate service due to the willful waste of water in irrigation
systems (ACSA Code – Section 17-01 B). The City of Charlottesville regulations specifically
prohibit damage to any pipe, equipment or fixtures connected with or pertaining to the city water
supply that will result in the waste of water. (Charlottesville City Code – Section 31-123).

Both the City of Charlottesville and the ACSA maintain a system pressure to deliver water efficiently
to all parts of the distribution system. Both the City and the ACSA are current WaterSense Partners,
and there over a dozen landscape irrigation professional in the immediate area that are also
WaterSense Partners. The City and the ACSA participate in WaterSense programs such as Fix a
LeakWeek, toilet rebate programs, public service announcements, and community outreach events.
In addition, both organizations maintain educational web pages and ad campaigns about efficient
irrigations practices, provide educational materials to local plant nurseries, and sponsor classes for
irrigation professionals. RWSA’s web site provides links to both the City and ACSA educational
web pages.
6.2 Reduction of Water Use through Conservation Initiatives

The City of Charlottesville and the ACSA jointly prepared a Water Conservation Study Report in
2009 to summarize all of the current initiatives that have been undertaken as part of the area’s

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

conservation efforts. The following list of activities is excerpted from this 2009 report and listed
below to illustrate the extent of programs initiated in the planning area:

Table 6-1: List of Activities Promoting Water Conservation

City of Charlottesville
• Water Conservation Posters Inside City Buses • Restaurant Certification
• Low Flow Toilet Rebate Program • Restaurant Low Flow Sprayer Retrofit
• Public Awareness Campaign for Free Indoor Conservation • Carwash Certification
Kits
• Water Conservation Webpage Expansion to Include Local • Educational Presentation to Business Groups / Individual
Xeriscaping Efforts Businesses
• Water-Wise Landscaping Literature Distribution to Plant • Educational Presentation to Neighborhood Groups and Multi-
Nurseries Family Housing
• Online Residential Water Use Calculator • Regular Ad Campaign, Year Round
• Rain Barrel Program Expansion • Drought Public Notification Plan
• Rain Barrel Pilot Program • Low-Income Homes Retrofitted with Low Flow Toilet and
Conservation Kit
• System Leak Detection • Rainwater Harvesting System Installation on Multiple City
Properties
• Aging Infrastructure Replacement
Albemarle County Service Authority
• Public Awareness Campaign for Free Indoor Conservation • Educational Presentation to Business Groups / Individual
Kits Businesses
• Water Conservation Webpage Expansion to Include Local • Educational Presentation to Neighborhood & Civic Groups
Xeriscaping Efforts and Multi-Family Housing
• Rain Barrel Program • Water Conservation Results Monitoring
• Low Flow Toilet Rebate Program • Regular Ad Campaign, Year Round
• Rain Barrel Pilot Program • Water Restriction Rules and Regulation
• Carwash Certification • Drought Public Notification Plan
• Business Outreach • System Leak Detection

Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, the ACSA and the RWSA have installed low flow fixtures
throughout their facilities. In addition, the Albemarle County Services Authority has a four-tiered water
rate structure, where the first 3,000 gallons of water are priced close to the wholesale rate. The rate
increases 100% for every additional 3,000 gallon increment (e.g. $3.31/1000 gallons for 0-3,000 gallons,
$6.62/1000 gallons for 3,000-6,000 gallons, etc.). The City of Charlottesville implements a seasonal rate
structure where water prices increase during summer months.

6.3 Reduction of Water Loss through System Operation and Maintenance

The RWSA utilizes effluent water where possible in production processes to reduce the use of potable
water, and maximizes filter run lengths as part of standard operating procedures to improve water
conservation. RWSA also operates a complete closed loop system at the South Fork Rivanna Water
Treatment Plant, whereby all filter backwash and other process water is recycled back to the head of the
treatment plant after solids are removed for reprocessing. This process results in a zero discharge of
water from the treatment plant. RWSA’s Observatory Water Treatment Plant recycles greater than 95%
of its process water, but because this plant does not have equipment for dewatering sludges from the
sedimentation basins and filter backwash processes, it is not capable of 100% recycling.

The ACSA has installed data loggers throughout the distribution system to ensure that leaks are detected
and repaired in a timely manner. Customer accounts readings are closely monitored for anomalies and

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

customers are personally notified of a possible leak. The City performs annual leak detection on the
entire distribution system as well. Both the ACSA and the City are currently developing a system “water
audit” that will identify system losses. To track unauthorized connections, the ACSA utilizes a hydrant –
use permit program that is supported by local police. All unauthorized use is metered and billed at double
the current rates. The City hydrants have specialized threads that require a City-issued connector to
access. In addition, both the City and ACSA have implemented educational programs to reduce
customer-side water losses and provide leak detection tablets and dye strips as part of ongoing
educational efforts.

RWSA is researching technology that can be effective in progressive leak detection on its large diameter
water transmission lines. Because RWSA’s transmission lines are large and do not provide fire hydrants
at regular intervals as do the smaller water distribution mains on the ACSA and City systems, its system
would not perform well with conventional leak detection equipment.

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

7.0 DROUGHT RESPONSE AND CONTINGENCY PLANS (9 VAC 25-780-120)

7.1. Background and Purpose

In 2004, a Rivanna Regional Drought Response Committee was formed to work cooperatively to provide
a coordinated response to drought in this community. Members of the Committee include staff
representing: Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority (RWSA), Albemarle County Service Authority
(ACSA), City of Charlottesville (City), and Albemarle County (County). The two local governments and
two authorities all have overlapping responsibilities for public service that are critical to responsive
drought management planning for Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville, and the Committee
serves a role in assuring that these efforts are coordinated and synergistic.

The Commonwealth of Virginia, in its Local and Regional Water Supply Planning regulations (9VAC 25-
780), has established a planning process and criteria for local governments to use in the development of
local or regional water supply plans. These regulations include a component regarding drought response
and contingency plans. Communities that withdraw more than 300,000 gallons per month of surface water
and ground water must develop a drought contingency and response plan. This Drought Response and
Contingency Plan (Drought Plan) is designed to fulfill these regulatory requirements on behalf of
Albemarle County, the Town of Scottsville, and the City of Charlottesville.

The Commonwealth provides guidance to local governments on appropriate drought responses in the
Virginia Drought Assessment and Response Plan (March 28, 2003). This plan identifies the Virginia
Drought Monitoring Task Force as having the responsibility for monitoring drought conditions for the
Commonwealth and issuing status reports on drought conditions. These reports provide insight to local
governments on statewide conditions. It is clearly stated in the Virginia Plan that, “While actions on the
State level are important for the purpose of alerting localities and citizens of the advance of drought
impacts, actions by local governments, individual water suppliers, and individual citizens are much more
important and effective in actually addressing the impacts of drought.” It is the intent of this Drought
Plan to monitor drought conditions and provide for a call to action that reflects local drought conditions
and are specific to the limitations of our local water supply.

This Drought Plan discusses water conservation to be achieved during drought periods, through both the
voluntary efforts of the community and mandatory restrictions on water use. While it is desirable that
water conservation habits be practiced under all conditions, this Drought Plan recognizes that until such
time as all citizens are consistently maximizing opportunities to conserve water on a regular basis, higher
levels of conservation can be achieved during times of “crisis”, and it is extremely important to
communicate both the condition and the opportunities when weather conditions threaten the short-term
sustainability of the water supply. As a result, this Drought Plan makes a distinction between long-term
water conservation programs that permanently reduce overall demand at all times, and short-term drought
management programs which at least temporarily reduce water use during drought emergencies. Long-
term conservation programs include measures implemented continually, regardless of the status of the
water supply. Examples of long-term conservation measures include: public education, conservation-
oriented rate structures, conservation water use habits by individuals, low-flow plumbing rebate
programs, and leak detection/repair. The long-term conservation programs implemented by the
Committee members are expected to result in sustained reduction in future water demands per capita over
long periods of time.

Short-term drought management programs include voluntary and mandatory water use restrictions and/or
rationing which are implemented in response to the threatened status of the water supply and can result in
significant water use reductions during a drought period. Drought management measures include
curtailing demand by limiting non-essential uses of water, an example of which is irrigation, and can be
as restrictive as water rationing. Drought management programs involving water use restrictions are

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

reserved for periods when indications are present that the area is entering into a drought and as a result,
the water supply may become threatened in the near future.

The Rivanna Regional Drought Response Committee takes its role in preparing the community for
drought very seriously. The purpose of this Drought Plan is to define a method for predicting and
identifying drought conditions, specify drought stages, identify appropriate use restrictions for each
drought stage, and clearly define the process of public notification and information dissemination.

This Drought Plan will be reviewed and modified as needed, as the water supply system is modified,
water supply operating rules are changed, or additional information and feedback is received which would
help to more efficiently operate the system in the event of a drought.

7.2 Existing Water Sources

RWSA provides wholesale drinking water supply and treatment for the ACSA and City as three separate
and distinct systems: the Urban Water System, which serves all of the City of Charlottesville and the
urban area of Albemarle County that generally surrounds the City; the Crozet Water System, which serves
the ACSA water distribution system in and around the Crozet community; and the Scottsville Water
System, which serves the ACSA water distribution system for the Town of Scottsville.

In addition to the citizens served by public drinking water systems, Albemarle County encompasses a
significant area that is rural in character with residences that receive water through groundwater-supplied
Community Water Systems and Self-Supplied wells. It is estimated that approximately 47,272 people are
dependent on individual groundwater wells within the County.

During drought conditions, the extent of a threat to the sufficiency of a water supply will depend on the
extent to which the demands on a given system are approaching the safe yield of the supply. Of the three
systems supplied by RWSA, the Urban Water System is closest to approaching its existing safe yield.
Therefore, the condition of the Urban Water System serves as an appropriate assessment for the impact of
drought conditions for all systems. It can be extremely difficult to assess the threat to individual on-site
wells because their supply during a drought can vary widely depending on well depth and location.

The Rivanna Regional Drought Response Committee agreed that when drought conditions are present it
is very important that all governing units (Albemarle County, ACSA, City of Charlottesville, and RWSA)
are sending a consistent message to all of the public regarding the criticality of need for conservation of
water. Given the diverse conditions of multiple water sources and the presence of both public water
systems and on-site well systems, providing a consistent message requires that monitoring for drought
conditions be diverse and prioritized. It also requires that conservation and use restrictions be tailored to
the most stressed of the diverse systems that are present.

Since the Urban Water System will be the earliest stressed system in an emerging drought, for reasons
previously stated, the hydrologic monitoring by RWSA under this Drought Plan will be focused on the
Urban Water System. However, hydrologic modeling of the Urban Water System will include assessment
of open channel stream flows as well as reservoir levels. Stream flows are not only a good indicator of
emerging stress on reservoir levels, they are also a good indicator of stress on groundwater recharge that
could also impact on-site well conditions. Further, at the time Albemarle County develops an active
monitoring program for groundwater, this data will be incorporated into the overall Drought Plan.

7.3 Summary of Urban System

Raw water for the RWSA Urban Service Area is normally supplied from three water supply reservoirs
and one river intake. The reservoirs which supply the system include: the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir
(SFRR), Sugar Hollow Reservoir (SHR), and the Ragged Mountain Reservoirs (RMR). The river intake

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

is located on the North Fork Rivanna River. Detailed information on the existing system is presented in
the report Safe Yield Study (Gannett Fleming, January 2004) and Safe Yield Study Supplement No. 1
(Gannett Fleming, July 2004). A summary of this information is presented below.

Finished water for the Urban Water System is supplied from three water treatment plants (WTPs): 1)
South Rivanna WTP, 2) Observatory WTP, and 3) North Fork Rivanna WTP. The South Rivanna WTP
is served by the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir. Water from Sugar Hollow Reservoir overflows the dam
and flows into the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir via the Moormans River. The Observatory WTP is
supplied by water from the Ragged Mountain Reservoir system through an 18-inch diameter pipeline and
from the Sugar Hollow Reservoir through another 18-inch diameter pipeline interconnected with the
Ragged Mountain pipeline. Water from Sugar Hollow Reservoir can also be transferred to Ragged
Mountain Reservoir. The North Fork Rivanna WTP treats water pumped from an intake on the North
Fork Rivanna River.

South Fork Rivanna Reservoir is the largest reservoir in the system and has a drainage area of 259.1
square miles. The current regulatory release requirement on the South Fork dam is a minimum flow of 8
mgd, except when reservoir flow is less than 8 mgd, minimum releases are equal to the natural inflow to
this reservoir. On February 11, 2008, a permit was issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental
Quality authorizing the design and construction of the community’s 50-Year Water Supply Plan. This
Plan includes the expansion of the Ragged Mountain Reservoir and the construction of a new pipeline
between the South Fork and Ragged Mountain Reservoirs. New release requirements from South Fork
Rivanna Reservoir will be required as the permitted project is implemented.

There are two dams in a series on an unnamed tributary to Moores Creek, which form the current Ragged
Mountain Reservoir system. The drainage area of the Ragged Mountain Reservoir system is 1.8 square
miles. There is no regulatory minimum release requirement from the Ragged Mountain Reservoir system.
New release requirements from Ragged Mountain Reservoir system will be required as the Water Supply
Plan is implemented.

The Sugar Hollow Reservoir is located on the Moormans River and drains an area 17.5 square miles in
size. The current minimum release requirement from the reservoir is 400,000 gallons per day to the
Moormans River, except when reservoir flow is less than 400,000 gallons per day, minimum releases are
equal to the natural inflow to the reservoir. As with South Fork Rivanna Reservoir and Ragged Mountain
Reservoir, new release requirements will be implemented as the Water Supply Plan is developed. RWSA
often releases more water than the minimum release requirement, but reserves the right at all times to
reduce the release to the minimum amount when the system may be stressed by dry conditions, as its first
responsibility is to supply the water supply needs of the City and ACSA.

An intake and pump station, each with a capacity of 2.0 million gallons per day (mgd), are also located on
the North Fork Rivanna River, which serves the northern section of the Urban Service Area. This system
is currently isolated from the rest of the finished water distribution system, and is currently operated
solely to meet the demands of the North Fork service area. RWSA presently has the capability to transfer
water between the two distribution systems, using a portable engine driven pump dedicated to potable
water use, when needed. A project to provide a permanent interconnect between the North and South
Rivanna distribution systems is planned in the future.

7.4 RWSA Water Supply System Operating Procedures

Operating procedures for the RWSA Urban Service Area are in place to most efficiently utilize the
existing raw water resource. Under normal operating conditions, the system is operated to maximize the
quality of the water produced at each water treatment plant and to efficiently transport water to the water
distribution systems of the Albemarle County Service Authority and the City of Charlottesville. As

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Regional Water Supply Plan Albemarle County, City of Charlottesville, Town of Scottsville

drought conditions begin, the Ragged Mountain Reservoir will normally stop spilling, followed by the
Sugar Hollow Reservoir. As these conditions occur, RWSA will maximize production at the South Fork
Rivanna Water Treatment Plant over the Observatory Water Treatment Plant, while maintaining operating
pressures at all delivery points to the City of Charlottesville that do not exceed the reasonable operating
limits of the City’s system. As a drought becomes more persistent, production at the South Fork Water
Treatment Plant will continue to be emphasized, and the drawdown of the Sugar Hollow Reservoir will
take priority over the Ragged Mountain Reservoir since the larger watershed area upstream of Sugar
Hollow will permit the water supply to recover more quickly when rainfall does occur. Storage in the
Ragged Mountain Reservoir will be held as long as possible, except to the extent that the Ragged
Mountain Reservoir will be drawn down enough to prevent transfers from Sugar Hollow to cause spillage
from the Lower Dam, or to the extent that a drawdown of water in the Ragged Mountain Reservoir is
necessary for dam safety reasons as defined by RWSA’s Emergency Action Plan for the Lower Ragged
Mountain Dam and Upper Ragged Mountain Dam.

During recent studies of the safe yield of the Urban Water System, it was concluded that further
optimization of the Water Supply System Operating Procedures would be possible if the North Rivanna
and South Rivanna distribution systems were interconnected by an adequately-sized transmission water
main (referred to as the “US 29 Pipeline”), and if the South Fork and Observatory water distribution
systems were further reinforced by the completion of a transmission main between Pantops and Avon
Street (referred to as the “Southern Loop”). These projects will be planned in greater detail for future
implementation as the capability of modeling the combined water distribution systems of the ACSA, City,
and RWSA is completed through a coordinated effort being led by ACSA. Once these improvements are
completed, RWSA will assess its operating procedures to consider the feasible benefits of permitting
Observatory WTP operators to be cross-trained at the North Fork WTP to permit both North Fork and
South Fork water sources to be emphasized over Observatory/Ragged Mountain/Sugar Hollow Reservoir
during the early stages of a drought.

Supplemental stream flows to the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir will be instituted during drought
conditions as defined under Section 7.5.

7.5 Emergency Water Sources

7.5.1 Beaver Creek Reservoir

Beaver Creek Reservoir is not normally part of the Urban Water System. It is owned by Albemarle
County, and RWSA manages it as a source of supply for the Crozet Water System. A safe yield study
was completed for Beaver Creek Reservoir in June 2007, which calculated the safe yield of the reservoir
as 1.8 mgd. Priority is always placed on meeting the demands of the Crozet Water System. Excess
capacity from Beaver Creek Reservoir can then be used to augment the Urban Water System during a
drought through in-stream releases from the dam to Beaver Creek, which flow through the Mechums
River to the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir.

Releases will occur only when SFRR is not spilling and available water supply storage in SFRR is less
than 97% of full pool. In most cases, the drought will have reached a declared “Warning” stage (drought
stages are further defined in Section 7.6) by this time. At all times, releases from the Beaver Creek
Reservoir to SFRR will be shut off to preserve a water supply equal to 20% of the total water supply
storage in Beaver Creek Reservoir, plus the calculated storage needed to meet the water demands of the
Crozet system as hydrologically modeled based on the drought of record.

It is anticipated that a portion of the water released from the dam may be lost as it travels through the
stream bed to the SFRR. In 2006 during abnormally low stream flow conditions, a release of 5 MGD was
simulated for several days and monitored through the increase in stream flow at the Mechums River

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USGS gauge. All of the 5 MGD release form the Beaver Creek Dam was recorded, suggesting there may
be little to no stream bed loss between the Beaver Creek Dam and the Mechums River at Garth Road
(where the USGS gauge is located, approximately 7 miles upstream of the South Fork Rivanna
Reservoir). Nevertheless, for adequate conservatism in modeling the system, bed loss of 50% is assumed.

7.5.2 Chris Greene Lake

Chris Greene Lake is identified in Albemarle County’s Comprehensive Plan as a drinking water supply
reservoir located on Jacob’s Run, which flows to the North Fork Rivanna River upstream of the North
Fork Rivanna WTP. Any releases from this lake would flow to the North Fork intake. It is currently used
as a recreational facility.

Use of Chris Greene Lake as a water supply alternative was evaluated as part of the Water Supply
Alternatives Supplemental Evaluation (Gannett Fleming, July 2004). In this study, it was estimated that
drawing down the lake by 5 feet would result in an increase in safe yield of the system of 0.5 mgd.
Because of the small yield of the alternative, it was not carried further for analysis as a water supply
alternative. However, it has been considered for use in an emergency situation. During the 2002 drought,
use of Chris Greene Lake as a supplemental source was considered, but never implemented. At that time,
improvements were made to the outlet structures should the need arise to use this lake as a source of
supply. Because it is used recreationally, all swimming and contact use of the reservoir would have to be
prohibited while it is used for water supply. Notice would be given to the Albemarle County Department
of Parks and Recreation prior to any use of the lake for water supply.

7.5.3 Lake Albemarle

Lake Albemarle is a recreational lake located on Spring Creek, which flows to the Mechums River. The
reservoir is managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Use of Lake Albemarle
as a water supply alternative to supplement flows to the SFRR via the Mechums River was evaluated as
part of the Water Supply Alternatives Supplemental Evaluation (Gannett Fleming, July 2004). Based on

During the 2002 drought, an agreement was reached with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries regarding use of Lake Albemarle as an emergency water source. This agreement allowed
RWSA to withdraw water from the lake down to 15 vertical feet, when the combined reservoir level of
the Urban Service area drops to 30 % or less. The Agreement remained in effect until January 1, 2005.
While RWSA was poised to use this source if the need arose, the 2002 drought never reached the 30%
threshold.
this analysis, it was estimated that the system safe yield could be increased by 0.7 mgd.

There are several concerns regarding use of Lake Albemarle as an emergency source. There is no outlet
structure on the dam to allow release of water downstream. A method of delivering the water to the
stream would be required. In addition, it is necessary to balance recreational uses with water supply
needs. There are also water quality concerns and the amount of water delivered to SFRR would be
impacted by bed loss. Additional study of these issues and coordination with the VDGIF will be required
in order to determine the practicality of using this source of emergency water supply. This would only be
considered under the most extreme conditions.

7.6 Identifying Drought Conditions

RWSA has contracted with Hydrologics, Inc., a water resources management consulting firm, to provide
real-time probability-based analysis of drought potential specific to the RWSA Urban Water System.
Hydrologics uses OASIS® software to analyze statistical probabilities as to the rate at which the water
supply levels would diminish, using the historical period of record, current operating procedures, and

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existing water demand projections. Further, by evaluating the historical period of record for stream flow
against the current demand for drinking water, the model can simulate the positive effects of water
conservation on preserving water supply during droughts, and through an iterative process, determine at
what time intervals it is most appropriate to call on the public for increasingly restrictive water
conservation measures. These drought intervals are defined in three components: reservoir elevation,
risk factor, and forecast horizon. When one or more of these intervals is reached during an actual
drought, a formal declaration to the public is needed in order to activate both the public education
measures and the water use restrictions that are necessary to achieve water conservation. This Drought
Management Plan defines these time intervals as “Stages” of the drought.

The OASIS model is used to evaluate how well these stages would have worked in past droughts, and this
increases the understanding of how well they will work in the future. The stages also provide a margin of
safety for the uncertainty of climate change and the potential for more severe droughts in the future as
compared to those in the historical record. The model uses a long inflow record to capture as many
historic droughts as possible.

Formal public declaration of a change in drought stage for this Plan will be guided by the following:

• Determination by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Drought Monitoring Task Force that a Watch,
Warning, or Emergency condition exists for the Middle James region of Virginia. This is the
region that includes Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville in the Commonwealth’s
drought management plan.

• Review of data maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
the National Weather Service (NWS), and the Virginia State Climatology Office.

• Modeled hydrologic conditions (using OASIS®) predict a probability of a shortage of local water
supply as follows:

o Drought Watch Stage: 20% or greater probability that total useable reservoir storage will
be less than 75% within 12 weeks. 75% total useable reservoir storage is equivalent to
80% of total reservoir storage.

o Drought Warning Stage: 10% or greater probability that total useable reservoir storage
will be less than 60% of full within 10 weeks. 60% total useable reservoir storage is
equivalent to 70% of total reservoir storage.

o Drought Emergency Stage: 5% or greater probability that total useable reservoir water
storage will be less than 50% of full within 8 weeks. 50% total useable reservoir storage
is equivalent to 60% of total reservoir storage.

• Review of streamflow data monitored by the U. S. Geological Survey for the Mechums River
gage and the North Fork Rivanna gage.

• Water supply storage stages can also be declared due to unusual events that threaten the available
supply of water, such as acute contamination of the water in a reservoir, loss due to a failure
causing significant loss of stored water from a dam, or related types of circumstances.

These three stages of drought correspond to the Commonwealth of Virginia Local and Regional Water
Supply Planning Regulations. A Drought Watch is issued as a means to increase public awareness that
climatic conditions and stream flows are such that there is concern of an impending drought. A Drought
Warning is issued when all indications show that the onset of a drought is imminent. A Drought

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Emergency is issued during a drought as a means of curtailing demand and extending supplies through the
duration of the drought.

The OASIS® model is predicated on being able to achieve a minimum of 5 % demand reduction during
the Drought Warning Stage and a minimum of 20% reduction during the Drought Emergency stage. The
specific use restrictions that will be implemented to meet the demand reductions are the responsibility of
the retail service providers, ACSA and the City, and are discussed in Section 7.8.

7.7 Notification of Drought Conditions

When one or more of the conditions specified in Section 7.6 are met indicating that the local community
has reached a Drought Watch stage, the Executive Director will recommend to the RWSA Board of
Directors that a Drought Watch be officially declared for the local water supply. At the time a Drought
Watch is declared, the Board of Directors will authorize the Chairman of the RWSA Board of Directors in
consultation with the RWSA Executive Director, to declare a Drought Warning or a Drought Emergency
should drought conditions later reach the levels defined by the guidance in Section 7.6. RWSA’s
Executive Director will provide appropriate immediate notification to the City, ACSA, Albemarle County
and the news media at any time a new drought stage has been declared by RWSA. At that time, retail
providers will activate water use restrictions and other conservation measures as defined under Section
7.8.

Because the Rivanna Regional Drought Response Committee is composed of two political entities and
two authorities, specific actions must take place once a drought stage has been declared by RWSA. The
ACSA and City will jointly exercise vigorous measures to encourage voluntary water conservation and
encourage decreases in outdoor water use during a Drought Watch. The City of Charlottesville will
require action by City Council to activate mandatory water use restrictions associated with a Drought
Warning stage, and separate action to authorize additional restrictions during a Drought Emergency stage.
The ACSA has policies in place to initiate mandatory water use restrictions as soon as RWSA declares a
Drought Warning or Drought Emergency, provided that the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors has
also declared that conditions exist whereby the ACSA is authorized to enforce mandatory restrictions.
The Board of Supervisors’ declaration is required only once, at the onset of the Drought Warning stage,
and the form of this declaration will be as determined by the County Attorney in accordance with the
requirements of the statutes of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Every effort will be made by each
governing board to expedite the process and authorize the appropriate drought stage and associated
restrictions as quickly as possible.

With respect to well users, the County cannot impose restrictions on well users until the Governor of
Virginia declares a drought emergency. At that point, the County must enforce the restrictions that the
Governor has enacted. It is quite possible that the RWSA Executive Director may make a local Drought
declaration prior to the Governor enacting a Drought Emergency. Under these conditions, the County is
limited as to what measures they can implement for well users. They can disseminate conservation
information, but have no enforcement authority.

In the event that the Committee feels there is an emergency need to enact a drought stage, and regularly
scheduled meetings of the various Boards in the approval process do not allow for actions without undue
delay, the Committee can recommend that one or more Boards call a special meeting in order that all
agencies take appropriate and coordinated actions without unreasonable delay.

Continued coordination by the Drought Response Committee is instrumental in ensuring that these
processes are effective in meeting the conservation goals of this Plan.

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Drought stages may be discontinued or reduced in severity after the water supply has sufficiently
recovered such that water use restrictions are no longer necessary. It is recommended that drought
declarations remain in force until such time that recovery has reached a minimum level of 95% of
combined reservoir water storage and modeled water conditions result in a probability of recurrence less
than the modeled hydrologic conditions defined for each stage in Section 7.6 of this Plan.

7.8 Implementation of Water Restrictions

During periods of time in which drought stages are declared, water use restrictions will be in effect and
enforced within the following jurisdictional areas as defined below:

7.8.1 Albemarle County Service Authority. As defined by Section 16 of the Rules and
Regulations of the Albemarle County Service Authority, as amended.

7.8.2 City of Charlottesville. As defined by Section 31-125 of the Code of Ordinances of the
City of Charlottesville, as amended.

7.8.3 Albemarle County. As defined by Section 16-500 of the Albemarle County Code.

7.9 Public Awareness and Education

An active public involvement campaign shall be maintained at all times during which a drought stage has
been declared by the RWSA. This campaign shall provide education of the public regarding the
conditions of the drought, tips on how to conserve water, water use restrictions that are in effect, and the
extent to which measured levels of water conservation have been achieved. The Rivanna Regional
Drought Response Committee that includes representation from ACSA, City of Charlottesville, County of
Albemarle, and RWSA will coordinate with each other as needed to assure that campaign information is
thoroughly integrated and is responsive to the need to achieve specific water conservation goals. Public
education shall use all available forms of mass communication to include regular press releases, radio and
television programming, cable local government channels, public meetings, and the Internet.

Recommended guidance documents for the planning of a drought public involvement campaign include
the following:

• Water Resources Planning (M50). AWWA planning manual.

• Water Conservation Programs – A Planning Manual (M52). AWWA planning manual.
• Virginia Drought Assessment and Response Plan. Virginia Drought Response Technical
Advisory Committee, March 28, 2003
• Local and Regional Water Supply Planning Regulation. 9VAC 25-780.

7.10 Formal Review of Drought Response

The Rivanna Regional Drought Response Committee meets as necessary to coordinate and share
information. When conditions are emerging that may develop into drought stages, or during a drought
stage, the Committee will meet as frequently as needed, and will include in its activities a review of each
drought stage and the response of the community to these stages. This will serve as important feedback
regarding how efficient the plan is working, and what improvements might be made in the future.

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8.0 STATEMENT OF NEED AND ALTERNATIVES (9 VAC 25-780-130)

Section 130 of the regulation requires that plan determine the adequacy of existing water sources to meet
current and project demand by providing a clear statement of need. A statement of need has been
prepared for those water sources using surface water reservoirs and stream intakes where a safe yield
analysis has been completed.

8.1 ACSA Urban Area and City of Charlottesville System

Because these two systems share source water and treatment facilities, the adequacy of existing water
sources to meet current and projected demand must be considered in combination. A safe yield
investigation for the Urban Area system comprised of the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir, the Sugar
Hollow Reservoir, the Ragged Mountain Reservoirs, and the stream intake on the North Fork of the
Rivanna River was prepared by Gannett Fleming in 2004. The analysis estimated that the existing safe
yield of the total urban system as of 2004 is 12.8 mgd. (Source: Safe Yield Study, Gannett Fleming,
January/July 2004). Further, Gannett Fleming affirmed that sedimentation is occurring within the storage
pool for water supply in the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir, as such, if no action were taken regarding
restoration of supply or alternative sources of supply, safe yield could be reduced to approximately 8.8
mgd by 2055. The combined current water demand for the ACSA Urban Area and Charlottesville systems
is 9.95 mgd and AECOM Technical Services, Inc. has recommended this service area plan for a water
demand of 16.96 mgd in 2060 (Source: Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority: Regional Water Demand
Forecasts, AECOM, August 2011). Therefore the existing source for the ACSA Urban Area and the
Charlottesville system is adequate today to meet current demands, but will not be adequate in the future to
meet future demands.

8.1.1 Alternatives Analysis for ACSA Urban Area and City of Charlottesville System

Further water conservation to reduce future water demand may be available through additional water
demand management actions (9 VAC 25-780-130.B.1). Pages 42 through 44 of AECOM’s August 2011
report identify that as much as 1.18 mgd in conservation savings may be possible by adopting new “best
in class” water demand management measures. However, this analysis also identifies a cost to implement
these additional demand management programs in the range of $94,865,000 to $124,875,000 over a 50
year period, with a significant percentage of these costs to be reflected in the price of new homes.
AECOM”s report also identifies that a very strong conservation ethic already exists within this region,
with present per capita water use at 99.8 gallons per day. The benefits versus costs of further demand
management actions should be weighed and balanced by the local elected officials based on the overall
good of the community and implemented appropriately.

Several potential sources for new water supplies (9 VAC 25-780-130.B.2) have been identified in two
previous studies; the first published in 2000 and a second published in 2004. The initial Analysis of
Alternatives, completed by Vanesse Hangen and Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) in February 2000, identified up to
33 different alternatives and combinations of alternatives for increasing water supply. In July 2004
Gannett Fleming published a report titled Water Supply Alternatives Supplemental Evaluation, which
updated the 33 alternatives originally considered by VHB, screening those alternatives such that some
were not advanced, while six new alternatives were identified, constituting an updated list of 18
components for alternatives upon which an increase in safe yield was determined. These 18 components
of alternatives were summarized in Table 3-1 of Gannett Fleming’s report and are also summarized on the
following page as Table 8-1.

The first component on Gannett Fleming’s list was a “No Action” component. For this component
Gannett Fleming performed a future forecasted safe yield analysis by establishing a trend line from
available historical data on the sedimentation of the useable storage zone within the South Fork Rivanna

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Table 8-1: Potential Sources of New Water Supply and Estimated Volume

Predicted
Increase in 2055
Water Supply Component Brief Description
Safe Yield Above
8.8 MGD1
No Action Continued SFRR sedimentation will occur. 0.0
Sugar Hollow pipeline and Ragged
Mountain Dams will require rehabilitation.
Dredge SFRR Various options analyzed6 Up to 5.12
Reduce Sediment Load into SFRR Various increases would be associated with Unpredictable
a range of load reduction values3
Add 4 Ft Crest Gates to SFRR Dam 3.3
Add 8 Ft Crest Gates to SFRR Dam 7.2
Add Crest Gates on SFRR Dam to 9.94
Meet Full Deficit
5 Ft Drawdown of Chris Greene Lake Recreational Lake – public acceptance 0.5
issues
Use Beaver Creek Reservoir Existing outlet structure modifications 2.65
required
Use Lake Albemarle Not owned by RWSA 0.7
Expand Ragged Mountain Reservoir 9.1
Expand Ragged Mountain Reservoir 9.9
as Pumped Storage
Pumpback from Moores Creek Reuse. Not authorized by VDH policy 9.9
WWTP to SFRR Tributary
New Dam at Buck Mountain 9.9
New Pump Storage Reservoir at 9.9
Rocky Creek
James River Withdrawal Raw water intake and piping only 9.9
Rivanna River Withdrawal Scenic River in Virginia unpredictable
Fluvanna/Louisa Regional Withdrawal in Fluvanna County 9.9
Withdrawal from James River
Expand Sugar Hollow Reservoir 7.3

Source: Gannett Fleming, Water Supply Alternatives Supplemental Evaluation, July 2004
1
All safe yield estimates in this table are based upon releases of downstream flow pursuant to RWSA policy in effect in 2004. Estimates for most
alternatives would be less than shown above if applied to downstream releases equal in frequency and magnitude to those prescribed under the
terms of DEQ Water Protection Permit 06-1574 (2008) for an expansion of useable storage in the Ragged Mountain Reservoir of 1,726 MG.
2
Available safe yield from Dredging SFRR was revised to 5.5 mgd in a December 2004 Technical Memorandum.
3
Further consideration by citizen panel called SFRR Stewardship Task Force in 2009 concluded that “legacy” stream bed erosion from past
decisions that altered hydrology would likely take many years or decades to reach equilibrium, making near term success very unlikely.
4
Gannett Fleming used 9.9 MGD as total required to satisfy total deficit based on information available in 2004.
5
Based on 1.1 MGD constant use by Crozet. Actual safe yield increases varies with changes in Crozet demand.
6
HDR performed an updated bathymetric survey of the SFRR in 2009 and concluded that 859 million gallons of useable storage was present at
the time of the survey. This study analyzed options for dredging but did not perform safe yield evaluations.

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Reservoir. Gannett Fleming defined the current safe yield of the combined Urban System (City of
Charlottesville and ACSA Urban) as 12.8 mgd in 2004 and forecasted a reduction of safe yield to 8.8 mgd
in the year 2055 for the “No Action” component. This forecast represented a 4.0 mgd loss of safe yield
over 50 years if “No Action” were taken, based upon reduction of useable storage volume due to
sedimentation. When reading the increase in safe yield of various components in Table 8-1, the baseline
from which they should be added for a 50 year forecast is 8.8 mgd, not the identified 2004 safe yield of
12.8 mgd. It should further be noted that the added safe yield for these 18 components is based upon the
downstream flow releases from dams that were effective under RWSA policy in 2004, not the required
and more aggressive flow releases described in the 2008 state and federal permits authorizing the
expansion of the Ragged Mountain Reservoir.

Several of the 18 components were able to be combined to provide a total increase in safe yield greater
than the individual components alone. Using combinations, the 2004 report identifies 22 total alternatives
and then evaluates the environmental impacts (stream impacts, wetland impacts, and endangered species)
of each. A screening process eliminated several of these alternatives based on environmental impacts and
practicability through a series of additional evaluations, until a preferred alternative, expanding the Ragged
Mountain Reservoir, was identified in a Permit Support Document in 2006 as the “least environmentally
damaging, practicable alternative”. In 2008 the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the
United States Army Corp of Engineers concurred with the selection of the preferred alternative through the
issuance of state and federal permits. The Permit Support Document describes this evaluation in
significant detail and is available through DEQ, RWSA, or on the internet at www.rivanna.org.

In February 2011 the Charlottesville City Council and the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors agreed
on a phasing plan for the implementation of the expanded Ragged Mountain Reservoir and future South
Fork to Ragged Mountain pipeline whereby the Ragged Mountain Reservoir pool height would initially
be raised 30 feet, providing an additional 1,086 million gallons of useable water supply storage. Through
a contract with HydroLogics, Inc. of Raleigh, North Carolina, RWSA determined that this initial phase
expansion would provide a future safe yield of 12.5 mgd approximately 15-20 years into the future
without the new South Fork pipeline and a future safe yield of 15.3 mgd in approximately 50 years with
the new South Fork pipeline. These future safe yield forecasts account for useable storage losses due to
sedimentation and honor the quantity, frequency, and duration of minimum in-stream flows supported by
the 2008 state and federal permits based upon a fully expanded Ragged Mountain Reservoir. The
members of City Council who voted in favor of this phasing plan also called upon the community for
further improvements to water conservation and the exploration of economical opportunities to perform
some reservoir dredging, in an effort to delay as long as possible the need for a second phase of reservoir
expansion. RWSA has applied for modifications to the 2008 state and federal permits to permit the
reservoir expansion in up to two phases, and actions by state and federal agencies are pending as of the
date of this report. If a second phase of Ragged Mountain Reservoir expansion is constructed, the 50-
Year safe yield with the South Fork pipeline increases further to 18.7 mgd, allowing for improved in-
stream flows and future sedimentation. This project will meet the need recommended by the AECOM
report to provide for 16.96 mgd by 2060.

No potential resource issues or impacts were identified that are applicable to the criteria listed in 9 VAC
25-780-140.G. Both the present and future water sources for the City of Charlottesville and ACSA Urban
Area lie within the local watershed nearly all of which is located inside Albemarle County. Because the
local watershed is at the headwaters of the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, no other
communities are impacting the availability of water in this watershed, and there are no known interests
from other communities to transfer water from the local watershed. Further, treated effluent from the
wastewater systems of the City of Charlottesville and ACSA Urban is returned to the same river basin
from which the supply was taken, near the confluence of the Rivanna River and Moores Creek, just

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southeast of and less than one mile from the corporate limits of the City of Charlottesville, minimizing
any impact of water use by this region on availability downstream for other communities.

DEQ Virginia Water Protection Permit 06-1574 calls for improved releases of water from water supply
reservoirs for in-stream uses through the expansion of the Ragged Mountain Reservoir, more closely
associating the quantity of releases to natural inflow and the natural use of the stream.

Interconnection (9 VAC 25-780-130.C) has been considered (and is identified as an alternative in Table
8-1) but was not determined to be the preferred alternative, and lacked sufficient political support.
Desalination is not applicable to Albemarle County. Recycling and reuse for non-potable retail uses may
be a future option for this region and an option that the City of Charlottesville and ACSA will remain
interested in pursuing, but no customer commitments have been obtained at this time.

8.2 ACSA Crozet

A safe yield investigation for the Beaver Creek Reservoir was prepared by Gannett Fleming in June 2007.
The analysis estimated that the safe yield of Beaver Creek Reservoir for the Crozet system during the
worst drought of record is 1.8 mgd. The current water demand for the Crozet system is 0.43 and the
future demand in 2060 as projected in AECOM’s report is 0.99 mgd. Therefore the existing source for
the Crozet system is adequate to meet both current and projected demand.

Flows that pass the dam for the Beaver Creek Reservoir run a short distance in Beaver Creek before the
confluence of Beaver Creek and the Mechums River. The Mechums River would then carry that flow to
the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir, allowing such water to then become a source for the Urban system.

8.3 ACSA Scottsville

A safe yield investigation for the Totier Creek Reservoir was prepared by Gannett Fleming in June 2007.
The analysis estimated that the safe yield of Totier Creek Reservoir for the Scottsville system during the
worst drought of record is 1.6 mgd. The current water demand for the Scottsville system is 0.08 and the
future demand in 2060 as projected by AECOM is 0.09 mgd (See Section 5.0 above). Therefore the
existing source for the Scottsville system is adequate to meet current and projected demands.

8.4 Community Water Systems Using Groundwater and Self-Supplied Users

A definitive statement of need is not applicable to groundwater systems within this region. The City of
Charlottesville and the Town of Scottsville provide 100% of the water needs for their citizens through
publicly operated surface water systems identified in this report. Further, Albemarle County designates
“development areas” within its jurisdiction for future growth and provides for publicly operated surface
water systems to provide all the water needs within the designated “development areas”. Through
Albemarle County’s Comprehensive Plan and its zoning practices, development is encouraged to occur
only within the “development areas”, preserving the natural resources of the remaining rural area. While
some residential development rights are still allowed in rural areas, these rights are subject to the
responsibility of the property owner being able to demonstrate through well site evaluation on a case-by-
case basis what is necessary to construct an adequate self-supplied well and to construct a septic tank. No
building permit is issued until this demonstration has been made. To discourage significant growth in the
rural areas, Albemarle County prohibits publicly supplied water and sewer service beyond the designated
“development areas” except with the specific approval of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors,
and historically those exceptions have been limited to existing development where a significant public
health or safety issue has developed, such as an existing drinking water well that has become
contaminated and is no longer suitable for drinking. The Red Hill Community Water System (see page

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19 of this report) is an example of a system developed and operated publicly, to serve existing
development where groundwater was contaminated by a leaking underground petroleum storage tank.

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