BOIL WATER ALERT Q&A FOR RASPBERRY FALLS

Frequently Asked Questions:

Precautionary Boil Water Advisories

The following list of Frequently Asked Questions for Precautionary 

Boil Water Advisories is taken from the Virginia Department of Health – www.vdh.state.va.us/drinkingwater/documents/BoilWaterFAQs.pdf.

Why was I advised to boil my tap water? 

You may be asked to boil your tap water during an emergency 

• if tests show that harmful microorganisms could be present in the water, 
• if the water pressure drops due to equipment failure or power outages, 
• because of water main breaks or repairs, 
• if the water source has been flooded, or 
• during other situations that warrant special action to protect consumers’ health. 

How does boiling make my tap water safe? 

Boiling the water kills microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoans that can cause disease. Boiling makes the tap water microbiologically safe.

How long should I boil the water? 

Bring tap water to a full, rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using. 

IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS:

• When boiling water on the stovetop, use manageable-sized containers and do not overfill them.
• Place the container on a rear burner if there are small children in the house. 
• Let the water cool before transferring to another container. 

Can I boil water in the microwave? 

Tap water can be boiled in the microwave in a microwave-safe container, provided that the water reaches a full rolling boil for one minute. Place a microwave-safe utensil in the container to keep the water from superheating (heating above the boiling point without forming steam or bubbles). 

Do I have to boil the tap water used to make beverages? 

Yes. Boil all of the tap water you use for making coffee, tea, mixed drinks, Kool-Aid or any beverage made with water. In addition, all tap water used for making ice for consumption must be boiled. 

Should I boil the tap water used to make baby formula? 

Yes. Only use boiled tap water or bottled water for mixing formula for your baby.

Do I need to boil water before using it to wash vegetables that will be eaten raw? 

Yes. Boil all of the tap water you use for washing raw vegetables. 

Should I boil the tap water used in cooking? 

All tap water used in cooking must first be boiled for one minute, unless the cooking process involves boiling for one minute or more. 

Do I have to boil my dishwashing water? 

No. Adding a tablespoon of household bleach such as Clorox to a sink full of tap water should be sufficient to treat the water used for washing dishes. Bleach should also be added to the water used for rinsing dishes. Allow dishes and utensils to air dry before reuse. 

You may wash dishes in an electric dishwasher, but be sure to use it with its heating elements turned on. After washing in an electric dishwasher, dishes should be rinsed in water with a tablespoon of bleach added, and allowed to air dry before reuse. 

Should I boil tap water for brushing my teeth? 

Yes. Any tap water that might be swallowed should be boiled before use. 

Is it necessary to boil water to be used for hand washing? Is any special soap necessary?

No. It is not necessary to boil the tap water used for washing hands, and no special soaps are necessary. 

What about my bath water? 

There is no need to boil water for bathing or showering. Adults, teens, and older children, can shower or bathe, though they should avoid getting water in the mouth or swallowing the water. Infants and toddlers should be sponge bathed. No special soaps are necessary. 

Care should be taken to prevent water from getting into deep open or post-surgical wounds. Consult your physician or health care provider for wound care instructions. 

Do I need to use boiled water for washing clothes or flushing the toilet? 

No. 

Do I still have to boil tap water if I have a water treatment device? 

Yes. Devices designed to improve the taste, odor, or chemical quality of the water, such as activated carbon filters, will not remove harmful microorganisms from the tap water. Boil the tap water to make sure it is safe. 

Can I use bottled water instead of boiling tap water? 

Yes. Bottled water can be used for all of the situations where boiled tap water is recommended above. Be sure that the bottled water is from a reliable source. 

Can I haul water from my neighbor’s well or spring for drinking purposes? 

No. You should only use water from an approved, tested source. Without routinely testing the water, there is no way to know if the water is safe to drink. 

Should I boil the tap water I give to my animals or pets? 

You can boil the tap water you give to the animals in your care. Your veterinarian can tell you if this precaution is necessary. 

What should I do if I become sick? 

See your family physician or healthcare provider. Your doctor may call the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water at (804) 864 7500 for information about the boil water notice. Your doctor should notify the local health department if he or she suspects your illness was caused by microorganisms in the water. 

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants. People with weakened immune systems, such as people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be at greater risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. Guidelines on ways to reduce the risk of infection from microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). 

How will I know when it is safe to drink my tap water? 

You will be notified when tests show that the tap water is safe to drink. You may be asked to run water to flush the pipes in your home before using your tap water or be given other special instructions. Until you are notified, continue to boil all tap water for one minute before use. 

What should I do if I’ve lost power and I cannot boil my tap water?

In an emergency, boiling is the preferred method for making sure tap water is safe to drink.  Using bottled water is the next preferable option. Water purification tablets may also be used to disinfect tap water by following the manufacturer’s instructions. 

BOIL WATER ALERT ADVISORY ISSUED FOR RASPBERRY FALLS

PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER ADVISORY ISSUED FOR RASPBERRY FALLS

Issued in response to discolored water experienced earlier today

Loudoun Water has issued, effective immediately, a precautionary boil water advisory for the Raspberry Falls community.  The precautionary boil water advisory will be in effect until acceptable water quality is confirmed by testing.  We expect this process to take 48-72 hours. 

On Monday, August 8^th, Well PW-2 was taken offline for scheduled maintenance.  On the morning of Tuesday, August 9^th, high turbidity was experienced in a portion of the system during routine monitoring.  Because Well F was the only well servicing the system at the time, it was taken offline to assess the situation and determine the source of the problem.  Because the situation may involve a break in one of the system’s raw water supply lines, Loudoun Water is issuing the Precautionary Boil Water Advisory.

To continue supplying the community with water with both wells out of service, the emergency interconnect with Selma Estates was opened.  Because the interconnect is for emergency use only and will not support widespread irrigation use, Loudoun Water is asking the Raspberry Falls community to stop irrigating their properties for at least the next 72 hours.  Well PW-2 is being brought back into service to remedy the situation, however, this process will take approximately 72 hours to complete. 

While the system did not lose pressure, the possibility of a break in one of the system’s raw water supply lines creates an increased risk of contamination.  Although we do NOT have an indication that the water system has been contaminated, as a precaution, Loudoun Water recommends that residents in Raspberry Falls should bring water to a rolling boil for one minute and cool before using.  If you cannot boil your water because of a power outage, then bottled water should be used. 

Only boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation. After the interconnect was opened, Loudoun Water flushed the system to eliminate the discoloration.  Therefore, if you experience discolored water today, let your taps run until the water runs clear.

We regret the inconvenience that this may cause.  Loudoun Water will provide regular updates and post information online at loudounwater.org.  A complete list of Frequently Asked Questions is attached and is also available online.  Customers can also contact Loudoun Water’s Customer Service at (571) 291-7880.  For emergency calls after hours, please contact (571) 291-7878.

New Well Operational in Raspberry Falls - Loudoun Times Mirror

By Crystal Owens - July 31, 2011

A new well constructed to serve residents of Raspberry Falls is now operational, Loudoun Water officials announced July 25.

The well, known as Well F, is a replacement for a well that was shut down last year.

Raspberry Falls, a community north of Leesburg, had been operating on one communal well since Nov. 16.

Normally served by two wells, one was shut down in anticipation of a Nov. 23 determination by the state’s Department of Health that the well was under the direct influence of surface water, rendering it unsafe as a drinking water source until an appropriate treatment level is determined.

That determination is known as Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water or GUDI.

The community lies on a limestone overlay district, meaning surface water can easily drain down and mix with the groundwater. Soil normally serves as a natural filtration system for surface water before it travels underground.

In addition to the new well, Loudoun Water officials announced that construction work recently began on an expansion of the Raspberry Falls waste water treatment plan to serve nearby Selma Estates.

Selma Estates also operates on a communal well system.

An interconnection between the two communities’ systems was recently approved by the state Department of Health and is ready to be used in case of an emergency.
Loudoun Water officials are still studying options on how to improve the quality of water within the Raspberry Falls community, including whether a pipeline extension from Leesburg is viable.

Mike McGill, spokesman for Loudoun Water, said a report from that study is expected soon.

Leesburg Utilities Department Recognized for Operational Excellence

From the Town of Leesburg – The Town of Leesburg’s Utilities Department recently received a state award for operational excellence.  At the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project Conference in Roanoke, Aref Etemadi, Acting Director of the Leesburg Utilities Department, accepted the 2010 Silver Excellence in Waterworks Operation/Performance Award from the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water.  The Leesburg Water Treatment Plant has received this award every year since 2004.

“Every year, the Office of Drinking Water selects those waterworks that have met the state’s goals for filtration and clarification optimization,” explained Aref Etemadi. “It is really an honor to be recognized, year after year, by the state regulatory agency.”

State Department of Health to hold a fact finding hearing on Raspberry Falls

Published on Loudoun Times Mirror web-site

written by Crystal Owens

MAY 16, 2011

Virginia Department of Health officials will hold a fact-finding session with Raspberry Falls residents to determine if a formal hearing is warranted on whether the state is doing enough to ensure safe drinking water for the community.

The fact-finding hearing, set for May 26, will be conducted by state Department of Health District Director Dr. R. Dana Bradshaw.

Bradshaw will then make a recommendation to the state Health Commissioner based on his findings.

Residents of the community north of Leesburg requested the hearing after officials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently said they would not continue to pursue access to parts of the property to conduct a dye trace study.

A dye trace study would conclude if there are sources of contamination to the ground water that serves several communal wells within the community that rests on karst geology.
In karst geology, surface water can easily drain downward through joints in the rock, making direct contact with the groundwater.

In October 2009, Loudoun County Supervisor Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin) requested the dye trace study for Raspberry Falls after she was bombarded with concerns from residents who said they were worried about the quality of their drinking water.

The community is surrounded by dairy and bison farms as well as a golf course. Residents said they worried that fertilizers and bacteria from the properties were leaking into the community’s groundwater supply and complained of health problems and corroding copper pipes, among other issues.

The state Department of Health already has determined one well on the property to be groundwater under the direct influence of surface water – or GUDI.

Loudoun Water, the entity that operates the communal system, shut the GUDI well down in November.

In letters to Loudoun County government leaders, EPA officials said they’ve been denied access to parts of Raspberry Falls to conduct the dye trace study that are owned by Van Metre, the company that built many of the homes in the community.

Other parts of the property are controlled by Loudoun Water, who are cooperating with the EPA, spokesman Mike McGill said.

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA has the authority to conduct various types of investigations to protect human health and the environment.

Raspberry Falls Residents request State Department of Health hearing

Posted on the Loudoun Times Mirror web-site:

written by Crystal Owens

May 11, 2011

A group of residents from the Raspberry Falls community are requesting a hearing before the state Department of Health Commissioner to determine whether enough is being done to ensure the community has safe drinking water.

The request comes on the heels of several pleas by the group during the last two years for a dye trace study to be performed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

A dye trace study would conclude if there are sources of contamination to the ground water that serves several communal wells within the community which rests on karst geology.

In karst geology, surface water can easily drain downward through joints in the rock, making direct contact with the groundwater.

To determine if surface water is draining into the geology below Raspberry Falls, an EPA representative would perform the dye trace study by injecting dye into certain points of the area and then monitoring locations to see where the dye reappears.

In October 2009, Loudoun County Supervisor Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin) requested a dye trace study for the community, which is just north of Leesburg off Route 15, after she was bombarded with concerns from residents who said they were worried about their health.

The community is surrounded by dairy and bison farms as well as a golf course. Residents said they worried that fertilizers and bacteria from the properties were leaking into the community’s groundwater supply and complained of health problems and corroding copper pipes, among other issues.

In November, one of two wells serving the community was determined by the state Department of Health to be under the direct influence of groundwater, or GUDI.

The well has since been permanently shut down and Loudoun Water’s Board of Directors agreed to study an option to extend central water service to the community from the Town of Leesburg.

Loudoun Water, which serves the community, also agreed to study options for enhanced treatment of the well water and connections with the wells in nearby Selma Estates. That study has not yet been completed.

Officials with Loudoun Water said they’re cooperating with the EPA in granting officials access to the Raspberry Falls property to conduct a dye trace study.

“We will continue to allow the EPA access to our facilities in the future,” said Mike McGill, spokesman for Loudoun Water.

However, other parts of the area are owned by Van Metre, the company that built many of the homes in the community.

According to a Feb. 24 letter obtained by the Times-Mirror addressed to Van Metre officials from EPA attorney Philip Yeany, Van Metre for at least a year has blocked EPA’s access to the property.

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA has the authority to conduct various types of investigations to protect human health and the environment, Yeany said in the letter.

However, a month later, in a March 31 letter to Loudoun County officials, Dr. Malcolm Field with the EPA’s Office of Research and Development, said the EPA was backing away from pursuing access to the property.

“Future developments may allow the planned tracer tests to occur, but for the foreseeable future I can no longer devote my energies on Raspberry Falls,” Field wrote in the letter.

Raspberry Falls residents now are trying to determine why the EPA has stepped back from pursuing a dye trace study.

Should residents be granted a public hearing before the state Department of Health, some of those questions could be answered.

“Wouldn’t it be smart to find a way to allow a dye trace study to provide vital information needed to define the most optimal solution for treating this type of non-rural water before making a carte blanche decision without all the facts?” said Raspberry Falls resident Lisa Koste.

Video of Raspberry Falls - Limestone Branch by golf club house

Video of flooding at Entrance of Raspberry Falls

Video of Flooding in Raspberry Falls

This video was taken from Hunter Pl

Flooding in Raspberry Falls - Muddy Waters

Would you want to drink this water?  And all we have is chlorine?
It's like Todd Danielson said, "Under the Eventual Influence."

Flooding in Raspberry Falls - The Damn behind the water treatment facility

Flooding in Raspberry Falls - Front Entrance of Community

These pictures were taken from the front entrance of Raspberry Falls.  These were of Limestone Branch.

View of Limestone Branch on left, coming in from the entrance

This is the fence on the left side when coming into Raspberry Falls.  The fence is completely underwater.

Left hand side of Limestone Branch as coming into the community.

Left hand side, with fence underwater when coming into the community

Right hand side of Limestone Branch when coming into the community

Standing on right hand side of Limestone Branch looking back towards entrance of Raspberry Falls

Right hand side of Limestone Branch with model home in the background

Flooding in Raspberry Falls - Hunter Pl

These pictures were taken from Hunter Pl and the recent interconnection with Selma Estates.

Rain Storm Pictures in Raspberry Falls

After severe weather that has passed through Leesburg, these are pictures of our community.

Letter to Sally Kurtz, Loudoun County Board of Supervisor Representative - Delay in the Dye Trace Study

April 1, 2011

Ms. Sally Kurtz

Supervisor, Catoctin District

Loudoun County Board of Supervisors

1 Harrison Street, S.E.,
Fifth Floor, Mailstop #01
Leesburg, VA 20177-7000

RE:  Raspberry Falls Community Water Concerns

Dear Supervisor Kurtz:

On behalf of the Concerned Citizens of Raspberry Falls, we very much appreciated your initiative in obtaining an offer from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a “Dye-Trace Study” in our community to evaluate potential connections between the surface water and Raspberry Falls’ Drinking Water Wells.  (S. Kurtz 10/21/2009 Letter to EPA Washington DC Branch Chief Paul White, Attachment 1)

Two years have passed and the Dye Trace Study has not commenced due to intentional delays, political posturing and Developer, Van Metre’s outright refusal to allow the EPA scientist, Malcolm Field, unconditional access to the targeted land to conduct the study.

It is an outrage to residents in Raspberry Falls to witness Van Metre’s obstructionist behavior regarding the conduct of a Dye Tracing Study that will ultimately protect the safety and welfare of the residents who live in the homes that Van Metre built.

As a result of this extreme delay, on March 31, 2011, EPA scientist Malcolm Field has indicated that “neither his management nor EPA Region III are inclined to have [him] devote any more time, energy or resources to [the Raspberry Falls Dye Trace] project.”  (Malcolm Field’s (EPA) 3/31/2011 email to Charles Yudd, Loudoun County Assistant Deputy Administrator and Loudoun County Supervisor Sally Kurtz, Attachment 2)

Today, we wrote to Philip Yeany, Esq., attorney for the EPA requesting that he promptly pursue the judicial avenues he stated were at the EPA’s disposal to procure unimpeded access to the land in question for the EPA’s Dye Trace Study to proceed. (Mitchell Zuckerman’s (Raspberry Falls) 3/31/2011 Email to Philip Yeany, Esq. EPA, Attachment 3; Philip Yeany, Esq., EPA Counsel’s 2/24/2011 Letter to M. Banzhaf, Reed Smith, Attachment 4)

It has always been our position that the outcome of the Dye Trace Study will be essential in determining the most cost-effective solution to our contaminated water problem.  

We are further dismayed at Loudoun Water’s retraction of their promise to create a “Citizens Advisory Committee” which would work closely with Loudoun Water in the study of alternative water solutions for Raspberry Falls.  The December 2010 Resolution by the Loudoun Water Board indicated that “time is of the essence” and yet two months have elapsed without any communication from Loudoun Water to us as to the status of any facility plans, financing plans or implementation plans. (Loudoun Water Board of Directors’ Resolution of December 9, 2010 re: Raspberry Falls – Attachment 5) As our representative on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, you requested that the EPA perform the Dye Trace Study in our community to protect our health and safety.  The Board of Supervisors formally requested Loudoun Water to perform a study of the available water alternatives for our community.  The Loudoun Water Board of Supervisors resolved to commence the study of water treatment plant options or a Town of Leesburg pipeline.   The EPA’s Dye Trace Study will show whether our current wells – PW-2 and Well-F -- as well as the Selma community’s wells are GUDI and will greatly influence the sufficiency and viability of the water solutions being studied.

We respectfully request that you directly enforce your 2009 request to the EPA to perform the Dye Trace Study utilizing whatever governmental authority they would require to enter the land unimpeded by Van Metre’s conditions or restrictions.

Sincerely,

CONCERNED CITIZENS OF RASPBERRY FALLS
attachements not provided for blog

EPA letter to Michael Banzhaf - Van Metre's attorney

It's interesting to find out that all this time it has been Van Metre that has been delaying and stalling the Dye Trace study and a field study to be conducted in Raspberry Falls.  What do they have to hide?  Here is a link that displays a letter from the EPA to Van Metre stating that they may seek judicial approval if Van Metre keeps denying them access.

Letter from EPA to Van Metre threatening to seek Judicial approval

This link provides information on the letters written back and forth from the EPA and Van Metre. Again, Van Metre is thwarting the efforts of the EPA to do it's testing.

Letters back and forth from EPA to Van Metre

Letter to Congressman Frank Wolf in regards to the delay of the Dye Trace Study in Raspberry Falls

March 23, 2011

The Honorable Frank R. Wolf

U.S. House of Representatives

241 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, D.C.  20515-4610

RE:  Raspberry Falls Community Water Concerns

Dear Congressman Wolf:

Thank you for your intervention on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of Raspberry Falls.  Please note that we wish to address some of the statements set forth in Mr. Richard Rabil’s March 7, 2011 letter to you.  Mr. Rabil’s March 7^th letter also attached a March 25, 2010 correspondence to you from Mr. Scott York, Chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, and we wish to address some of the statements contained in that letter as well.

We reference for discussion Mr. Rabil’s statement that “all studies conducted to date have established that the Raspberry Falls Community Water System was constructed correctly and was in good working order on September 24, 2002 when Loudoun Water accepted ownership, operation and maintenance responsibility for the system.”  (Mr. Richard Rabil, President, Van Metre Companies, 3/07/2011 Letter to Representative Frank Wolf)

We disagree that the Raspberry Falls Community Water System was constructed correctly.  Our own due diligence has revealed that prior to 2002  the County’s professional staff recommended against Van Metre’s plan to install wells and septics in an area underlain by Karst geology due to the high likelihood of water contamination.  These recommendations were ignored and in fact, a water filtration unit was never included in community’s water treatment plant design putting the community’s health at risk when the inevitable water contamination levels were detected to be so high that chlorine alone was an ineffective means of disinfection.  Further, we question whether the sizing of the Communal Water System’s storage tank  included  the water usage of the community swimming pool and the communal wastewater treatment plant  as well as the club house facilities of the commercial golf course all of which would later be transitioned to the Community Water System.   This deficiency not only resulted in numerous violations from the Virginia Department of Health (“VDH”) but threw the entire community into a state of water emergency restrictions and called into question whether the rate at which water moved through the storage tank had adequate and sufficient contact time with chlorine to inactivate bacteria and viruses.  In fact, the Raspberry Falls community’s concerns were validated in 2010, when Loudoun County Staff’s concern about the dangers of water contamination in areas underlain by Karst geology resulted in the delineation of a “Limestone Overlay District” that included Raspberry Falls and was approved by the Loudoun Board of Supervisors.  

On January 13, 2011, the Loudoun Water Board resolved to undertake a study of options for the Raspberry Falls community to include a pipeline extension of Leesburg Town water to Raspberry Falls as part of it’s response to the VDH’s determination that Well PW-1 is deemed “Groundwater under the Direct Influence of Surface Water” (GUDI).  As of this date, we are unaware as to whether that study has commenced.

Our community’s “grass roots” movement is entirely predicated upon the deficiencies of the Raspberry Falls Community Water System and the dangers of individual water wells and alternative septic systems installed in Karst geology by the developer, VMK Associates, a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Metre Companies. Van Metre was well aware of the Karst environmental conditions in this community but despite the known risks delivered a water and waste system that would never be capable of protecting residents’ health and safety.  Underground caverns and sinkholes were found during development, which are known contamination threats to the aquifer. However, VMK Associates made no provision for water filtration at the community’s water treatment plant.  Instead, Van Metre by and through VMK, procured “special exceptions” for the golf course and wastewater treatment system both of which discharge into the storm water runoff and stream.  Its no wonder that the tributary of the Limestone Branch, which is the stream running through our community emptying into the Potomac River, was deemed an EPA 303(d) Contaminated Water Body.  It is an outrage that the stormwater pond in our community’s limestone Karst geology is not lined with impervious materials.

The January 2010 commitments to upgrade the water treatment system’s pumps, storage and disinfection have not been implemented as of this date.  In addition, Loudoun Water is aware that the UV disinfection they have proposed as a solution will not address water contamination deemed “Groundwater Under the Influence of Surface Water (“GUDI”).  As you may know, Raspberry Falls’ primary well (PW-1) was shut down by VDH in November 2010, due to an extensive water study deeming the well’s levels of contamination directly related to infiltration of surface water contaminants at a level that cannot be sufficiently treated by the community’s water treatment plant.  We have pointed out numerous egregious errors on the part of VDH and Loudoun Water which led to this GUDI determination and it has always been our position that ALL of the wells in this Karst environment are subject to surface water contamination threats that cannot be treated with Chlorine and UV disinfection alone.  Our reasoning that the quality of our delivered water has been out of compliance is predicated on the fact that Loudoun Water has never been able to react immediately to intermittent increased levels of bacteria.  There has always been a delay – sometimes up to three (3) days – between the time of detection and the shut-down of the affected well.  We have the hard data to prove this fact.   Raw water that contained levels of contamination which could not be addressed by chlorine disinfection alone was definitely being pushed through the distribution system into the taps of our homes.  We did not receive immediate “boil-water alerts” and Loudoun Water did not test our tap water during this delay period.  Even if UV disinfection could have provided another level of protection, Loudoun Water made the commitment to install it on January 8, 2010 and as of today’s date (more than a year later) that installation has not been completed.  Further, Well F has not been brought on line and additional storage and pumping capability have not been implemented leaving us currently with a single well (PW-2) that has tested high for contaminants such as algae and coliform in the past and is deemed highly susceptible to contamination in the 2004 Raspberry Falls Wellhead Protection Plan.

Mr. York’s comment that an “additional benefit of the quantity upgrade is the installation of community fire hydrants, vastly improving fire protection,” (Mr. Scott York, Chairman, Loudoun Board of Supervisors 3/25/2010 Letter to Representative Frank Wolf) shows that he is not aware there are already numerous community fire hydrants in place in Raspberry Falls that, unbeknownst to residents or new home purchasers, have been deemed not for emergency use by Loudoun Water since their installation during the development of this community.   You may not also be aware that two homes have burned to the ground since this development was constructed.  

It is interesting to note that Mr. Rabil states, “Van Metre has no evidence that the quality of water delivered to residents of Raspberry Falls has ever been out of compliance with any such drinking water standards.”  We beg to differ based upon the Virginia Department of Health’s Sanitary Surveys of the Raspberry Falls Water Treatment Facility noting numerous violations, especially regarding exceeding the permitted capacity of the plant for each year back to 2004.  Only now, seven (7) years later is an expansion of the plant even being discussed let alone implemented.  Maybe Mr. York was unaware of these facts when he wrote that “there is no regulatory or health reason for additional or alternative treatment.” (Mr. Scott York, Chairman, Loudoun Board of Supervisors 3/25/2010 Letter to Representative Frank Wolf)

Mr. Rabil’s misguided statement that the interconnection of the Raspberry Falls water system with our neighbor Selma Estate’s community water system will “enhance the operating efficiencies of both systems” shows that he has no working knowledge of the water contamination issues Selma has been plagued with over the past few years. See attached April 8, 2009 Letter by Mr. Terrance Wharton, Loudoun County Department of Building and Development to Selma Estates issuing “Stop Work Orders” suspending all building permits due to sinkholes identified as Class V Injection Wells directing concentrated stormwater into the groundwater at Selma.  Selma’s water treatment facility, although larger than ours, is still only capable of chlorine disinfection which as was previously stated is ineffective at treating GUDI.  It is our position that an interconnection (even if it is deemed an “interim” emergency back-up (per Ms. Julie Pastor, Director, Loudoun County Department of Planning, 2/03/2011) will only serve as a pipeline directing a new source of contaminated water to the Raspberry Falls community.  Hardly, the enhancement it is being billed as in our opinion.  

Further, we are eager for Loudoun Water to share the details of proposals to purchase “potable water from the Town of Leesburg for the Raspberry Falls community.” (Richard Rabil’s 3/07/2011 Letter to Representative Frank  Wolf)  Unfortunately, Loudoun Water has  retracted their promise to create a “Citizens Advisory Committee” which would work closely with Loudoun Water in the study of alternative water solutions for Raspberry Falls.  (Mr. Scott York, Chairman, Loudoun Board of Supervisors, 3/25/2010 Letter to Representative Frank Wolf)  The Loudoun Water Board resolved on January 13, 2011 to include a Town of Leesburg pipeline to Raspberry Falls in the study of water options for the community but we have not heard anything further on that study as of the date of this letter.

We believe that VMK Associates acting by and through Van Metre Companies has deliberately thwarted the commencement of the EPA’s Dye Trace Study that Mr. York (Chairman, Loudoun Board of Supervisors, 3/25/2010 Letter to Representative Frank Wolf) properly notes was supposed to begin in April 2010.  On February 24, 2011, the EPA’s attorney informed Van Metre’s attorney that if consent is not voluntarily provided, EPA will obtain judicial approval to enter Van Metre’s land without any restrictions or conditions to investigate potential environmental and human health threats.  (EPA’s 2/24/2011 Letter to M. Banzhaf, Esq. attached).  It is an outrage to residents in Raspberry Falls to witness Van Metre’s obstructionist behavior regarding the conduct of a Dye Tracing Study that will ultimately protect the safety and welfare of the residents who live in the homes that Van Metre built. 

It is our position that it is a miscarriage of justice for Van Metre and K. Hovnanian to continue to build homes and connect them to the Raspberry Falls Community Water System in its current state of flux and deficiency.  We are a community in distress and our County representatives have been ineffective in protecting our health and safety which is why we reached out to you directly for assistance.

Respectfully,

CONCERNED CITIZENS OF RASPBERRY FALLS

What's In Your Water?

The environmental working group puts out a drinking water quality report.  Check out what came up in Raspberry Falls and in Selma.  Selma is in worse shape than Raspberry Falls and they want to connect us to Selma?

http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/whatsinyourwater/VA/Raspberry-Falls-Subdivision/6107601/

http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/whatsinyourwater/VA/Selma-Estates/6107660/

Letter to Senator Holtzman Vogel and Delegate May

Senator Holtzman Vogel and Delegate May,  

I am disappointed in the summary report from you and your staff.  We are a community worried about our immediate health and safety and your meeting/recommendations did little if any help for our families.  

We were disappointed when we learned from Memory Porter of Delegate May's office, that we were excluded from the meeting because the meeting was "legislative."  We accepted this notice and worked hard to prepare you and your staff as well as Delegate May's staff with our history and our questions for Dr. Kleene.  We were disappointed when we learned that all of our questions were not presented to Dr. Kleene, but mostly our expectations were dashed when we learned that Loudoun Water's "spin doctor," Mark Peterson would be included in the "legislative" meeting.  This disappointment came to fruition with the summary report.

You gave no real expectations in your report.  You suggested the interconnection with Selma was a "permanent fix."  In fact, we are fearful because it appears that Selma's water is even more polluted than Raspberry Fall's, and we were told at best, the connection was only a "temporary backup" for our one sad well.  You suggested that the Raspberry Falls Water Study which was voted by Loudoun Water Board of Directors on January 13, 2011, would be looking into long term solutions for Raspberry Falls.  However, this water study committee has not been named or moved forward with any action since that date, 7 weeks ago.  Our continued emails and phone calls to Loudoun Water questioning when this committee would move forward remain unanswered.  This is another example of the repeated delay and non response we have received from Loudoun Water from the beginning of our cry for help.  

You suggested there was an investigation after the disintegrating bison were discovered.  Did you ask to see this report?  We were told by Dr. Goodfriend, Director of Loudoun County Health Department, that there was no investigation other than one question, "why did the bison die," answer, "it was a rough winter."  Most people understand that bison typically withstand "rough winters."  A true investigation would have automatically required further questions and actions because of our karst geology and the possible repercussions to well contamination. 

Why has the EPA dye trace study been delayed by Loudoun Water and our developer, Van Metre.  This test would prove conclusively the true extent of the safety of our wells, GUDI or not.  There can only be one answer as to why Loudoun Water and Van Metre fear the dye trace study and work against it taking place. I personally gave your office contact information for Dr. Malcolm Field of the EPA.  He has done a complete field study of Raspberry Falls and the surrounding area since 2009.  Dr. Fields is a world renowned limestone karst expert, and has studied our geology more than anyone.  He has been standing ready to proceed with his test for over a year.  Why was he not asked to join your meeting or at the very least be interviewed before your meeting?

There has been a merry-go-round of delay from John Wilburn, of Loudoun Water and Michael Banzhaf of Van Metre, for years.  The EPA, at least, is taking a strong stand and trying to push forward with the dye trace study. We were hoping that your office could help us cut through this injustice and bring relief to our community.  You told me in an email, Senator Holtzman Vogel, that our families were a priority.

We will continue to seek help for our community, again I am disappointed that our state representatives were not willing to do more.   

Karen Saunders

cc:  Congressman Frank Wolf

       Senator Mark Warner

       Senator Jim Webb

       Governor Bob McDonnell

       Dr. William Hazel

       Senator Mark Herring

       Delegate Robert Marshall

       Dr. Wesley Kleene