Nelson County reviews Larkin Phase 1 water options: Dillard Creek withdrawal or drilled wells

Nelson County Board of Supervisors members heard a technical evaluation on Oct. 14 of water-supply options for the proposed Larkin Phase 1 development, including a surface-water withdrawal from Dillard Creek and several options to develop groundwater wells.

The presentation, delivered by a county-hired water consultant, summarized regulatory limits, expected yields, capital and operating costs, and likely permitting steps for each approach. The consultant said Dillard Creek could yield substantially more water on average than the county’s 30‑year buildout estimate but would carry higher upfront capital and permitting costs. The desktop analysis estimated average daily flow in Dillard Creek that, subject to Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) withdrawal limits, could provide roughly 830,000 gallons per day at typical flows; the consultant said that would exceed the estimated 30‑year buildout need of about 82,000 gallons per day.

The consultant cautioned that DEQ limits withdrawals to a percentage of measured daily…