Raspberry Falls Residents seek state legislators’ help in addressing water concerns

Jan. 7, 2011 - by Crystal Owens, Loudoun Times Mirror

Water woes reigned during a legislative town hall meeting Jan. 6, where dozens of county residents gathered to bring their concerns to state lawmakers before the General Assembly convenes next week for its 2011 session.

Out-of-town customers of the Town of Leesburg’s utility system and residents of Raspberry Falls, a community north of Leesburg that resides on a Limestone Overlay District, dominated the two-hour session with pleas to legislators for help in addressing their issues.

Customers of the utility system appealed to the delegation to propose legislation that would change a state law that allows municipalities to set different rates for water and sewer service to customers who live in an extended service area.

“The current law does not require regulation or oversight.  It creates an opportunity for price discrimination against out-of-town customers who have no consumer protection,” said resident Teresa Bailey.

Many residents who live outside the town limits of Leesburg have battled with Town Council in the form of litigation for five years, seeking equal pricing for their utility service as those who live within the town limits.

In November, the state Supreme Court ruled that under state law the increased water and sewer rates to out-of-town customers is fair. Out-of-towners have reported paying double what in-town residents pay for water and sewer service.

“We need your support because the courts have failed us. We have no recourse. We can’t vote so we have to rely on the legislators doing something in this situation,” said Raymond Baldwin, a resident of Lakes at Red Rock, a community just outside the Town of Leesburg.

In Raspberry Falls, residents are dealing with what they believe to be contaminated water.

The community has been a hot- button topic among Loudoun County leaders recently after the state Department of Health deemed one of the area’s two communal wells to be groundwater under the direct influence of surface water or GUDI. The well since has been permanently shut down and Loudoun Water’s Board of Directors is set to vote Jan. 13 on whether to study an option to extend central water service to the community from the Town of Leesburg.

Residents, fearful that their drinking water is contaminated with harmful bacteria that could be causing illnesses, have pleaded with the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors for a central water option for years.

“I am here because we are not a third-world country,” Loraine Mathis, one of several Raspberry Falls residents who spoke at the meeting told the delegation. “Yet in Raspberry Falls we drink water, we bath in water, we shower in water, we cook in water that is comparable to what third-world countries use. At the same time, we’re paying water rates, we’re paying taxes, we’re paying utility rates that are comparable to everyone else, but we’re not getting our equitable quality of water.”

Susan Jacks, also of Raspberry Falls, asked the delegation to keep the issue from becoming a “political football” among Loudoun County supervisors.

“I ask that you be involved and be available and help us reach a long-term sustainable solution,” Jacks said.

The session was attended by Sens. Mark Herring (D-33) and Jill Vogel (R-27) and Delegates Bob Mashall (R-13), Joe May (R-33), Tom Rust (R-87) and Jim LeMunyon (R-67.)