Fairfax, Virginia –Vulcan Materials Company and Fairfax Water signed an agreement during a ceremony at the Griffith Water Treatment Plant in Lorton that sets the conditions for the transformation of a rock quarry into a water storage reservoir in southern Fairfax County. William “Kim” Duke, Vulcan’s Mideast Division President, and Philip W. Allin, Fairfax Water’s Chairman, made official an agreement that has been in the works since May of 2000. It involves a phased conversion of Vulcan’s quarry in Lorton to a Fairfax Water reservoir ultimately capable of holding up to 17 billion gallons of water. This new reservoir will be used to supplement water supply to accommodate population growth in Northern Virginia and ensure the success of Fairfax Water’s mission to provide reliable, high-quality drinking water well into the future.
“Between 2010 and 2040 the population served by Fairfax Water, including both retail and wholesale areas, will increase by over 650,000 residents and nearly 550,000 employees working in the area,” said Allin. “The Vulcan Quarry can meet future water supply demands brought on by this growth.”
The reservoir will provide significant additional storage for use in the event of a prolonged regional drought. The reservoir will be developed in two stages: the northern part of the quarry will be transferred to Fairfax Water by the end of 2035 after quarry operations cease in that portion of the property; and the remainder of the quarry will be transferred to Fairfax Water in 2085 after quarry operations cease entirely.
“There are a lot of positives that will come out of this agreement for current and future generations,” said Duke. “The region has a continued supply of essential construction materials – crushed stone – required to build and maintain our economy and it provides for another basic resource – water – that is also required to sustain our economy. This is a great example of a public-private partnership that will bring benefits to the community and future generations.”
NOT FOR PRINT – FOR MEDIA USE ONLY Additional information and high resolution photos can be acquired from Jesse Aranda, Public Information Officer for Fairfax Water at jaranda@fairfaxwater.org or (703) 289-6291.