Rapidan Service Authority offers bottled water at its maintenance facility in Locust Grove

The Rapidan Service Authority (RSA) announced Wednesday evening that bottled water will be available at its maintenance facility at 3489 Germanna Highway in Locust Grove starting Thursday. The Orange County government also announced Wednesday evening that it had declared a local emergency due to contaminated water from the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant in east Orange County.

The Orange County government declared a local state of emergency Wednesday evening to address water contamination issues in the service area of ​​the Rapidan Service Authority (RSA) Wilderness Water Treatment Plant.

The area served by this facility includes Lake of the Woods, Wilderness Shores, Somerset, Edgewood, Germanna Heights, Twin Lakes and the Route 3 corridor.

The county government also announced that the Wilderness Branch library at 6421 Flat Run Road in Locust Grove has been closed due to water issues. The library will reopen Saturday during normal hours (if potable water is available).

RSA had issued an order against the use of tap water earlier in the day and issued an official notice on Wednesday evening.

“The water supplied by the Wilderness WTP Water System may be contaminated by an unknown substance,” an RSA official said. “The investigation into the source of this possible contamination is ongoing. Out of an abundance of caution, RSA, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health, is advising residents not to use tap water until further notice.”

“RSA will conduct testing to ensure that concentrations of all contaminants are at safe levels before the non-use order is lifted.

The public utility urges its customers to avoid contact with tap water and to use only bottled water for all beverages and food preparation, including baby food and juice. Other recommended uses include making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or laundry, washing hands and bathing.

Flushing the toilet is permitted.

RSA also states that the water is not rendered harmless by boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or leaving it standing.

RSA has provided free water bottles at its maintenance shop at 3489 Germanna Highway in Locust Grove. Additional supplies will be delivered to the facility Thursday morning.

Additionally, water may be available at nearby grocery stores or convenience stores.

RSA urges customers to sign up for alerts on the RSA website, which will be updated with further news.

The MadRapp Recorder And The GreeneJournal I suggest readers share this article with anyone else who drinks this water, especially those who may not have received the RSA notice directly (e.g. people in homes, care homes, schools and businesses).