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King George Service Authority begins PFAS sampling and considers independent rate study
Summary
Bowden Environmental reported the service authority collected its first round of PFAS samples and expects lab results within two weeks; service authority staff presented a Stantec proposal for an independent rate and cost-of-service study (roughly $84–85k) and suggested using the service authority fund balance for payment; discussion continued with no vote to adopt the study at the meeting.
The King George County Service Authority reported initial PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) sampling and discussed a proposal to commission an independent utility rate study to guide future rate structure decisions.
Operational update and PFAS testing: Mark Bowden of Bowden Environmental Services told the board the utility collected its first round of PFAS samples at entry points for all water systems and that a second analysis is scheduled about six months later. "We should have results within two weeks," he said, adding that samples went to a sub-lab in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Why it matters: PFAS (so-called "forever chemicals") have newly regulated limits in many jurisdictions and can affect treatment and disposal decisions. Service Authority members asked whether wastewater treatment plants will be required to test; Bowden said no wastewater testing has been requested for King George plants to date, though some Virginia facilities have been asked to test their effluent.
Rate study proposal: Service Authority general manager Mister Hamilton presented a 31-page proposal from Stantec (coordinated via financial adviser Davenport) for a comprehensive rate study that would include a cost-of-service analysis, benchmarking, affordability analysis and long-term rate strategy. The proposal was priced in the mid-$80,000 range and would take several months (a March start would finish around August). Hamilton said the AMI purchase-order money previously identified (about $122,000) is not available, but staff identified a Fund 303 balance from which the study could be funded.
Board discussion: Supervisors and authority board members pressed for clarity on what the study would yield (base-rate composition, debt-fee naming conventions and equity between residential, commercial and industrial customers) and stressed the need to avoid abrupt rate shocks; Hamilton said the study is advisory and not a commitment to increase rates immediately. Board members also discussed a pilot submetering program for irrigation and the need to understand its revenue implications before broad implementation.
Decision and next steps: The board did not vote to hire Stantec at the meeting. Members said they want to review financing options, confirm available fund balances, and return with a formal approval once procurement and funding lines are clarified.
