Orange County has to stop water use because of “strange taste”
Residents and businesses in eastern Orange County were asked to stop using water immediately.
The Rapidan Service Authority says it is investigating possible contamination after customers reported a strange taste in the water and employees reported a petroleum smell in their water plant.
The agency issued the warning at around 3:05 p.m. Wednesday to all residents and businesses that receive water from the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant. These individuals and organizations are advised to use the water only for flushing toilets.
The Wilderness Generating Station serves the eastern end of Orange County, including Lake of the Woods, Wilderness Shores, Somerset Farms, Edgewood, Germanna Heights and Twin Lakes, as well as the Virginia Route 3 corridor.
Tim Clemons, general manager of the Rapidan Service Authority, told the Madison County Eagle that the alert was issued after receiving three calls from customers.
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“We had several customers call us about a strange taste in their water,” he said. “Then we noticed a strange smell, possibly petroleum-based like diesel fuel in the primary clarifier at the water plant.”
Clemons said the agency is working with the Virginia Department of Health to determine the cause of the problem and what remedial action is needed. He said the Virginia Department of Emergency Management has sent officials to take samples from the plant to determine where the problem might be.
In a message sent to the Madison County Eagle shortly before 8 p.m., the Rapidan Service Authority reiterated that water supplied by the Wilderness system cannot be used for any purpose and that customers are discouraged from attempting to treat the water themselves.
According to the note, the water “does not become non-toxic if it is boiled, frozen, filtered, treated with chlorine or other disinfectants, or left standing.”
Clemons said the agency has purchased bottled water that can be picked up at its maintenance shop at 3489 Germanna Highway in Locust Grove.
“We expect to have to flush and refill as soon as regulators give the green light,” Clemons said.
Due to the water advisory, the Wilderness Library is closed. Activities at Locust Grove Middle School have been canceled. It remains to be seen if school operations on Thursday will be affected. Locust Grove’s elementary and primary schools are both served by a well system and are not affected by the advisory.
More information will be available online at rapidan.org.
