Smith Mountain Lake Water Treatment Plant Project Draft Permit
Smith Mountain Lake Water Treatment Plant Project Draft Permit
July 16, 2013
7/16/2013
The draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) has been issued to the Bedford Regional Water Authority (“Authority”). The permit grants the Authority the ability to increase the withdrawal intake from the current Smith Mountain Lake intake valve from 2.99 million gallons per day to 12 million gallons per day. The permit is not official until after an advertisement has been issued in the local paper (running July 17th) and citizens have the chance to make comments and/or request a public hearing through DEQ about the permit.
The Authority proposes to expand the existing intake structure at the High Point water intake site on Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford County from its currently permitted, maximum daily rate of 2.99 million gallons to a maximum daily rate of 12 million gallons. The permit contains limits on the withdrawal rates that depend upon completion of waterline extensions to service areas within Bedford County, and additional limits that depend upon either completion of a waterline extension in Franklin County or an amendment to an existing water purchase agreement between the applicant and the Western Virginia Water Authority. DEQ’s preliminary decision is to issue the permit.