Fairfax Water Looking to Use Vulcan Quarry for Water Supply Reservoir

Future generations in Fairfax County will need drinking water, and since more people are projected to be living in the area, Fairfax Water is developing a plan to create a water supply reservoir at Lorton's Vulcan Quarry. 

The quarry, which is located directly across from Fairfax Water’s new Griffith Water Treatment Plant, offers the county a unique opportunity.

"How often do you see a water supply crop up next to a water treatment plant? We don't have to flood properties, create a dam or a huge pipeline," said Fairfax Water spokesperson Jeanne Bailey. "It's literally right there. It's a convenience to have everything in one location, and we have to think long-term. We have to think 50 to 100 years down the road."

The plan includes the construction of two reservoirs. The north reservoir would hold 1.7 billion gallons of water, and would be built by 2035. The southern pit, which would hold 17.6 billion gallons of water, would be built by 2085. The water itself would come from streamflows from the Occoquan Reservoir. 

Since 1979, Vulcan Materials Co. has provided asphalt mix, ready-mixed concrete and paving construction from its Lorton location. 

"Based on projections, our life expectancy at that location is in the 50-year range, so what this does is extend our lives a little bit on the back end, so we continue to be a resident in Fairfax County," Tom Carroll, Vulcan Materials director of Business Development, told Patch. "This agreement will allow us to continue to operate there until 2085, and then it will totally be Fairfax Water Authority property for the storage of a public water supply." 

The project, with estimated costs of between $2.6-$3 million, will require that the Fairfax County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors pass a special exception for the Griffith Plant, followed by a public hearing and approval process. 

"Things aren't worked out 100 percent yet," said Bailey. "We're doing our due diligence in looking at what the impacts are."