Henrico officials were joined by U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan of Virginia’s 4th District in Sandston Thursday to announce new federal funding for an ongoing utility project across eastern Henrico.
Henrico has been working to extend the public water system to homes on private wells since 2021, when elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, were found in water samples from the Chickahominy River Basin. This basin feeds into the White Oak Swamp Creek, which is a key source of water for local private wells.
McClellan, whose district includes much of eastern Henrico, secured $1,092,000 in federal funds to support a project extending Henrico’s water system to 41 homes in the Cedar Ridge neighborhood off Portugee Road.
“Each year, I meet with local government officials to discuss our shared priorities,” McClellan said. “Infrastructure improvements consistently rise to the top of the list of where they need help from the federal government to meet the needs of the communities we serve.
“That’s why I’m thrilled to deliver over $1 million to Henrico County to provide public water services to properties currently using private well systems,” she said. “This will ensure that more people have reliable access to clean and safe drinking water.”
PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” break down very slowly over time. They are used to make fire suppressants, carpet, clothing, fabric for furniture, food packaging and other materials that are resistant to water, grease or stains. PFAS are found in low levels in the blood of people and animals all over the world, but elevated levels have shown harmful health effects, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Following the discovery of PFAS in Henrico’s watershed, the county launched an initiative to support residents whose wells may have been impacted by the chemicals.
Residents on private wells can contact Public Utilities to have their water tested for free. In cases where traces of PFAS were detected, the county installed filtration systems at no cost to the homeowner. Ongoing maintenance and inspections of the filter are also performed by the county at no charge.
For a more long-term solution, Henrico secured more than $64 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding in 2021. Those funds have been used on projects that extend to the public water system across eastern Henrico to allow approximately 400 residents using private wells the choice of remaining on their wells or connecting to the system. If residents choose to connect to Henrico’s system, the county covers the connection fee.
Many of those projects have already been completed, and the ARPA funding has been depleted. However, there are still residents who don’t have the option to connect to the public water supply.
“That’s why today’s announcement matters,” Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson said. “This $1 million investment builds on the work underway and brings us another step closer to ensuring that residents have access to safe, clean and dependable drinking water.”
Nelson noted that Henrico will continue to look for additional funding sources until all residents have the option to connect to the public water supply.
“Because at the end of the day, this is about more than pipes and infrastructure,” he said. “It is about giving families peace of mind [and] protecting public health.”