Chesterfield County Utilities has begun looking into opening a new water treatment plant. It would be the fourth in the county.
The new plant would be located on the Appomattox River with an initial capacity to process 40-million gallons of water per day. That can double in size, says Director of Utilities George Hayes.
“80 million gallons a day would supply Chesterfield County for an additional 100-plus years.”
The county’s three other water sources at the Swift Creek Reservoir, the James River and Lake Chesdin were all designed in the early 60s. Hayes says in 20 years those facilities won’t be able meet the needs of the county's growing population.
He adds it will take at least 10 years and $121 Million dollars to make the new plant a reality. Part of that funding will come from the recently approved rise in customer utility rates. Hayes says the total cost over 50 years as the project is built out to full capacity will be $250 million.
