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By ROBIN KNEPPER

State environmental officials say a proposed sewage plant does not pose a threat to Lake of the Woods, despite a political-action group's warning to the contrary.

The state Department of Environmental Quality held a public hearing Thursday night at Germanna Community College to address questions and concerns about the plant planned to serve the Locust Grove Town Center commercial development on State Route 20.

The proposed plant would be allowed to discharge up to 20,000 gallons of treated wastewater a day into an unnamed and usually dry tributary of Flat Run, which then runs into the LOW lake.

"The discharge from the proposed plant won't have a measurable impact on the lake at Lake of the Woods," said Tom Faha, water permit manager for DEQ.

"The water quality [discharged from the sewer plant] will be better than what's running into the lake off their roads."

About 150 people showed up for the question-and-answer session. It was followed by a public-comment session convened by Water Control Board member Komal Jain.

Questions and concerns were almost exclusively from Lake of the Woods residents. Many commented that they attended the meeting because they received unsigned postcards claiming that sewage would flow into the lake.

The postcards were sent by the Orange County Citizens Committee, known locally as O3C. The unsigned cards urged residents to attend Thursday night's meeting to influence DEQ to "levy such strict controls [on the proposed sewer plant] that the installation becomes cost prohibitive."

LOW resident Tim Zello called the cards "fear mongering." He tried to find out who sent them, but his e-mails were returned as undeliverable. "People should find out the facts and who's behind these cards," he said.

Jack Snyder, who heads O3C, spoke against building the sewer plant. He said before the meeting that his group sent the mailing because the plant "has to do with growth and the quality of life" in Orange County.

Many questioned the quality of the water discharged. Faha replied that it would not be up to drinking standards, but it would be safe to swim in as close as 10 feet from the plant's outfall.

Others questioned whether the discharge permit was "a done deal." Faha said it still must be approved by the Water Control Board at its next meeting in March.

Several people questioned the reliability of self-monitoring of sewer plants, referring to "the fox guarding the hen house." Faha said the plant would have a licensed operator who would oversee daily testing and submit monthly reports to DEQ.

"The program is self-policing," Faha said, "because many people will give us a call if something isn't right."

Several speakers offered an alternative to the sewer plant, suggesting that the Rapidan Service Authority, which provides water and sewer service to Lake of the Woods, run lines to the town center development.

To reach ROBIN KNEPPER:540/972-5701
Email: rknepper@earthlink.net

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