Update: Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania officials released a joint statement Thursday afternoon that the situation regarding potentially contaminated water in eastern Orange County stemming from the Rapidan River is not impacting drinking water for citizens in their jurisdictions.
“Spotsylvania County and the City of Fredericksburg are aware of the current situation in Orange County, Virginia regarding the Rapidan Service Authority in its response to water quality concerns from a water source, which is the Rapidan River that flows into the Rappahannock River,” the statement read. “Currently, the Motts Run Water Treatment Plant, which provides drinking water to the City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County, is utilizing the Motts Run Reservoir as its sole source of raw water while the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality complete their investigation along the Rapidan River.”
According to an emergency notice posted by the Rapidan Service Authority on Wednesday evening, the water supplied by the Wilderness WTP Water System has potentially been contaminated by an unknown substance. An investigation into the source of this potential contamination is ongoing.
The area served by this plant includes Lake of the Woods, Wilderness Shores, Somerset, Edgewood, Germanna Heights, Twin Lakes, State Route 3, etc. Out of an abundance of caution, Rapidan Service Authority (RSA), in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health, is advising residents not to use tap water until further notice. RSA will be conducting testing to ensure that concentrations of any contaminants are at safe levels before lifting the “Do Not Use” order.
Do not use your tap water — only bottled water
Avoid all contact with the tap water. Only bottled water should be used for all drinking, beverage and food preparation (including baby formula and juice), making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or clothes, washing hands, and bathing until further notice. Toilet flushing is allowed.
Do not try to treat the water yourself
Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting the water stand will not make the water safe.
Potable water available at the following locations:
RSA will make bottled water available as soon as possible. An ALERT will be sent out and the RSA website updated to show where it can be picked up. Additionally, nearby grocery stores or convenience stores may have water available. Please register for alerts on RSA’s website (www.rapidan.org/subscribe).
We will inform you as soon as we determine that your tap water is safe to use. To address this problem, we are working with the Virginia Department of Health.
For more information, please contact Rapidan Service Authority at (540) 972-2133. Updates will be posted on the RSA website (www.rapidan.org).
