New Kent Charles City Chronicle

News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 28, 2024

Charles City, DEQ working on 50-year water plan

By Alan Chamberlain | October 7, 2010 11:09 am

Charles City officials and the state Department of Environmental Quality are creating a draft plan aimed at outlining the county’s water needs for the next 50 years.

The goal is to have the plan in county Board of Supervisors members’ hands by the board’s next meeting on Oct. 26. A public hearing is scheduled for that night. At the same meeting, supervisors are expected to approve the plan in order to beat a Nov. 2 deadline for having a final document submitted to DEQ.

And Charles City is not alone. DEQ is requiring all localities with less than 15,000 residents to have plans in place by the deadline date.

Already, the state’s larger localities have submitted plans. Those with more than 35,000 population had to meet a 2008 deadline while those between 15,000 and 35,000 turned in plans a year ago.

Tammy Stephenson, a senior water supply planner with DEQ, discussed the plan’s major components with supervisors during the board’s Sept. 28 meeting.

She said a draft plan should be completed sometime this week. DEQ is working with the county to make sure all required documentation is submitted for inclusion in the draft.

The agency is looking to establish a planning process for use of water resources and “provide adequate, reliable, and safe water to citizens in a way that balances the need for environmental protection and provides for future growth,” she said.

DEQ also aims at creating a “water planning partnership” with localities and increase public involvement in water resource decisions, she added.

Charles City and other localities are required to submit documentation on current water supply sources and uses, projected water demands and future needs, and water source alternatives designed to offset water shortages that could occur between now and the year 2060. Also required is a report on the condition of current water sources and existing county-imposed regulations aimed at water management.

Once the plan is adopted, means exist for amendments and updates. Plans are to be reviewed every five years and must be updated at least every 10 years.

In other business last week, supervisors approved the sale of a pair of one-acre lots to Richmond Metropolitan Habitat For Humanity. The price is $10,000 for each lot. The lots are located off Willcox Neck Road in the county’s eastern end where Charles City’s first Habitat For Humanity house was built in 2006.

Also, in response to comments published from the September county School Board meeting, county administrator Jack Miniclier said supervisors welcome any and all agenda items school officials wish to have added to an upcoming joint meeting of representatives of the two boards.

He apologized for any confusion resulting from a draft agenda he submitted earlier to school officials listing supervisors’ suggested topics.