Fairfax Water Internet Privacy Statement
Last Updated: November 2023
Fairfax Water respects your concerns about privacy. This Privacy Statement describes the types of personal information we may collect, how we may use the information, with whom we may share it and the choices available to you regarding our use of the information. We also describe measures we may take to protect the security of the information and how you can contact us about our privacy practices. This Privacy Statement applies to personal information we collect on the Fairfax Water websites located at www.fcwa.org and www.fairfaxwater.org (the “Site”).
Information We Collect
We collect personal information about you when you visit our Site. The types of personal information we may collect include:
- Contact information, such as name, telephone number and postal and email address;
- Account information, such as login information, account preferences and other account details;
- Payment information, including name, billing address, and payment card details;
- Social media information, such your social media handle;
- Location information, such as general location information based on your IP address;
- Information you share when you interact with us online, including through the online automated chat feature on the Site, which may maintain transcripts of chat communications; or
- Other information you choose to provide, such as through our “Contact Us” form.
When you use our Site, we may collect certain information by automated means, such as cookies, pixel tags, server or device logs and other technologies. A “cookie” is a text file that websites send to a visitor’s device to uniquely identify the visitor’s browser or to store information or settings in the browser. A “pixel tag” (also known as a web beacon), which is a type of technology that is often used in combination with cookies, is placed on a website to track certain activity, such as views of a website. These technologies help us (1) remember your information so you do not have to re-enter it; (2) track and understand how you use and interact with the Site; (3) tailor the Site around your preferences; (4) measure the usability of the Site and the effectiveness of our communications; (5) authenticate your identity, protect against fraud and provide our services; and (6) otherwise manage and enhance our services, and help ensure they are working properly.
We may use these automated technologies on the Site to collect information about your device, browsing actions, and usage patterns. We collect information about your device and web browser in this manner such as your device IP address, general location information, unique device identifiers, device type and model, device characteristics and settings, browser settings and characteristics, operating system type and version, language and country preferences, battery and signal strength, usage statistics, referring emails and web addresses, and other application details. We also may collect information about your interactions with our Site, such as pages visited, links clicked, features used, dates and times of usage, session information, and other information about your use of our Site.
Your browser may tell you how to be notified about certain types of automated collection technologies and how to restrict or disable them. Please note, however, that without these technologies, you may not be able to use all of the features of the Site. For mobile devices, you can manage how your device and browser share certain device data by adjusting the privacy and security settings on your mobile device.
How We Use the Information We Collect
We may use the personal information we collect to:
- Provide our services and manage your accounts;
- Communicate with you, respond to inquiries and offer customer support;
- Personalize your experience with our services;
- Send surveys to get your feedback and help improve our services;
- Refer you to other services that you may be eligible to receive;
- Perform analytics and trend or statistical research, including compiling and aggregating information for these purposes;
- Operate, evaluate and improve our services (including improving and analyzing our services; managing our communications; and performing accounting, auditing and other internal functions);
- Maintain and enhance the safety and security of our services, prevent misuse and troubleshoot technical issues;
- Provide customer support, respond to your inquiries, and resolve disputes, including through the online automated chat features on the Site, which may maintain transcripts of chat communications;
- Verify your identity and protect against fraud and other criminal activity, claims and other liabilities;
- Exercise our rights and remedies and defend against legal claims; and
- Comply with and enforce applicable legal requirements, relevant industry standards and Fairfax Water’s policies and terms and conditions.
We also may use the information in other ways for which we provide specific notice at the time of collection. Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), records prepared or owned by, or in our possession in the transaction of public business at the time of a FOIA request may be subject to inspection by, or disclosure to, the requesting party. To the extent permitted by FOIA, however, we take measures designed to remove personal information in the nature of customer names and service addresses prior to releasing records requested under FOIA.
Third-party Analytics Services
We may use third-party analytics services on the Site, such as Google Analytics. The providers of these analytics services use technologies such as cookies and web beacons to help us analyze your use of the Site. The information collected through these means may be disclosed to or collected directly by these services. To learn more about Google Analytics, please visit Google’s Privacy and Terms Page and Google’s Opt-Out Help Page.
Information We Share
We may share the information we collect about you with third-party vendors and other entities to perform services on our behalf, such as technology and communications providers, payment processing and billing service providers and service providers providing customer support (including through an online automated chat feature). We may share your personal information with social media platforms if you use those services to connect with us.
We may disclose personal information to government agencies or third parties administering programs or providing benefits, such as bill reduction programs. We may also disclose personal information (1) if we are required to do so by law or legal process, such as a court order or subpoena; (2) in response to requests by government agencies, such as law enforcement authorities; (3) to establish, exercise or defend our legal rights; (4) when we believe disclosure is necessary or appropriate to prevent physical or other harm or financial loss; (5) in connection with an investigation of suspected or actual illegal activity; or (6) otherwise with your consent or as directed by your representative.
In addition, we reserve the right to transfer to relevant third parties the personal information we have about you in the event of a potential or actual transfer of all or a portion of our operations or assets, whether voluntary or involuntary (including by way of example, a merger, sale, joint venture, reorganization, divestiture, dissolution, or liquidation), statutory change, or order of a governing authority.
Updating Your Contact Information and Questions
If you would like to update your contact information, please contact us as specified in the How to Contact Us section below.
For questions about this Privacy Statement or our privacy practices, please see the How to Contact Us section below.
How We Protect Personal Information
We maintain administrative, technical and physical safeguards designed to appropriately safeguard personal information against accidental, unlawful or unauthorized access, destruction, loss, alteration, disclosure or use.
Children’s Privacy
The Site is not directed to children, and we do not knowingly solicit or collect personal information from children under the age of 13 on the Site. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under age 13 on the Site, we will promptly delete that information. If you believe that a child under age 13 may have provided us with personal information on the Site, please contact us as specified in the How to contact us How to Contact Us section of this Privacy Statement.
Links to Third-Party Services and Features
For your convenience and information, the Site may provide links to other online services (such as websites or social media platforms), and may include third-party features such as apps, tools, widgets and plug-ins. These online services and third-party features may operate independently from us. The privacy practices of the relevant third parties, including details on the information they may collect about you, are subject to the privacy statements of these parties, which we strongly suggest you review. To the extent any linked online services or third-party features are not owned or controlled by Fairfax Water, we are not responsible for these third parties’ information practices.
Updates to our Privacy Statement
We may update this Privacy Statement from time to time and without prior notice to you to reflect changes in our personal information practices. We will indicate at the top of the Privacy Statement when it was most recently updated.
How to Contact Us
If you wish to review or correct information you have submitted, please contact our Customer Service Department:
Fairfax Water Customer Service
8570 Executive Park Avenue
Merrifield, VA 22031
Telephone: (703) 698-5800
Email: customers@fairfaxwater.org
If you have questions about this privacy statement or the practices of the Site, please contact our Public Affairs Officer:
Fairfax Water
Attn: Public Affairs Officer
8570 Executive Park Avenue
Merrifield, VA 22031
Telephone: (703) 698-5600
Email: webmaster@fairfaxwater.org