August 23, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, VDH, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Health Provides Update on Wilderness Water Treatment Plant
Do Not Use Water Advisory Remains in Place
ORANGE COUNTY, Va. –This evening, the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Office of Drinking Water (ODW) is providing an update on additional sampling results that it and Rapidan Service Authority (RSA) received from a VELAP-certified private lab. The Do Not Use Water Advisory remains in place until further notice.
The Do Not Use Water Advisory was issued August 21 by RSA, the owner of the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant (WTP), in coordination with the Virginia Department of Health, out of an abundance of caution following multiple reports an unknown odor in the drinking water.
The data received on August 23 evening did not identify the source of the odor and did not reveal any contaminants that raise significant concern. However, the odor of concern remains at the water treatment plant and within the distribution system. The odor of concern appears to be dissipating. RSA is taking action to reduce and eliminate the odor of concern.
Since a contaminant has not been identified that is causing the odor of concern, the Do Not Use Water Advisory remains in effect until the odor of concern is further reduced or eliminated. Additionally, the swimming advisory remains in effect.
A source for the odor of concern has not been found despite significant field inspections and sampling. Additional sampling will continue daily. If sampling results continue to show that the drinking water complies with federal standards, and the odor of concern is sufficiently reduced or eliminated, then RSA and VDH will re-evaluate the need for an advisory change.
RSA, VDH, and other responding state partners will continue to monitor the situation and provide an additional update on August 24.
Orange County is providing bulk/bottled water and showering facilities for its residents. RSA is posting updates on the RSA website.
For additional information, please visit the WTP Do Not Use incident page.
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