Regarding the Occoquan Policy 9VAC25-410

My comments are directed to the limitations placed in Section 20, Long Range Policy that allows one discharge from a sewer plant to be built in Fauquier County.

1. The limitation of one discharge allocated to Fauquier County in the Occoquan Watershed is outdated and no longer necessary.  Today’s WWTP easily produce an effluent which meets or exceeds drinking water standards. 

2. Additional discharge from WWTP’s in the Occoquan Watershed to replace existing failed septic systems would improve the overall water quality.   The historic and chronic failed septic systems in Catlett, Calverton and Midland are a documented fact.  For decades, raw sewage seeps up from the lawns and runs into the waterways of the Occoquan Watershed.   The limitation of one discharge to Fauquier County has simply failed it’s purpose to protect the Occoquan Watershed.

3. Alternative, no discharge, WWTP to serve Catlett, Calverton and Midland have proven to be prohibitively costly to construct, operate and maintain.  The soils in the area do not support a no discharge plant, if they did the existing septic systems would not be failing.

4. The limitation of one discharge WWTP to Fauquier County is a transfer of property rights from Fauquier County to Fairfax County.   The limitation ONLY benefits Fairfax Water Authority and it’s users at the costs to the people of Catlett, Calverton and Midland. 

Now is the day to revise the one discharge policy and rectify the failed septic systems of Catlett, Calverton and Midland and its negative impact on the environment and welfare.