Raspberry Falls – Orthophosphate Treatment

TO: Mr. Dale Hammes - General Manager, Loudoun Water

Mr. Fred Jennings - Chairman, Loudoun Water 

CC: Mr. Edward Burrell - Board Member, Loudoun Water

Mr. Pravin Gandhi - Board Member, Loudoun Water

Mr. Charles Harris - Board Member, Loudoun Water

Mr. Mark Koblos - Board Member, Loudoun Water

Ms. Patti Psaris - Board Member, Loudoun Water

Mr. Johnny Rocca - Board Member, Loudoun Water

Ms. Tanja Thompson - Board Member, Loudoun Water

Mr. Ralph Watson - Board Member, Loudoun Water

FROM: Concerned Residents of Raspberry Falls

DATE: January 20, 2011

SUBJECT: Raspberry Falls – Orthophosphate Treatment

Dear Mr. Hammes,

Raspberry Falls residents are conducting a review of the effectiveness of the orthophosphate treatment that Loudoun Water initiated last year.  As you know, Loudoun Water initiated this treatment to mitigate the damage your water is causing to the copper pipes in our homes.  Results of our survey to date of impacted parties throughout the neighborhood indicate that the addition of orthophosphate to our water has not stopped the corrosion and leaks from occurring.  

To assist us with our assessment, we would appreciate your providing us with responses to the following questions and requests:

1) On what date did the addition of orthophosphate commence?

2) What is the exact composition of the chemical and what is the amount being added to our purchased water?

3) What are the results of any surveys that Loudoun Water has conducted to determine the effectiveness of the orthophosphate treatment?

4) Does Loudoun Water intend to continue the orthophosphate treatment - and for how long? 

5) Are potential buyers of new homes now being sold by Van Metre and/or K. Hovanian being notified of your consultant’s prediction that 100% of all homes in Raspberry Falls that purchase water from you will experience copper pipe failure? 

6) Is any filtration or other mechanical system is being included in such new homes to mitigate copper pipe damage?

7) Has Loudoun Water has added a process or treatment to the sewage plant in order to remove the orthophosphate from effluent before the effluent is discharged into a stream?

8) Are tests being conducted to determine the effectiveness of the process or treatment described in 7) above?  

9) Are buyers of new homes are receiving any indemnity from the seller or Loudoun Water with respect to future copper pipe damage from the water to be purchased from Loudoun Water?

10) Can Loudoun Water confirm that the addition of phosphates fixed the water type and/or pipe corrosion, or will it be necessary for the developer to disclose corrosion issues to new buyers?

We thank you in advance for your prompt response to these questions.