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Cumberland supervisors approve up to $150,000 study of water infrastructure amid resident concerns about Dominion Energy proposal
Summary
After several public commenters urged the county not to tie its water system to Dominion Energy, the Board of Supervisors approved up to $150,000 for an engineering evaluation of water/wastewater impacts, with supervisors noting payment will not be issued until Dominion agrees to reimburse the county.
The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors voted to enter the "Cumberland Water Infrastructure Project" cost estimate and to appropriate up to $150,000 for engineering studies of water and wastewater needs and county future use, a move tied to early-stage work connected with a proposed Dominion Energy power plant.
The motion, as read by the chair, authorized staff to proceed with the Timmons Group cost estimate and to incur costs "as they come due" for the county, but stated the action is subject to execution of a reimbursement agreement and other contract terms. Several supervisors sought and obtained assurances from county counsel and staff that the county would not issue payment until Dominion agreed to reimburse those study costs.
The vote followed sustained public comment expressing concern over water supply and county autonomy. A resident who signed up as Jerry Dunster told the board the power plant could use "800,000 gallons per day" and urged supervisors not to allow county water rights, rights‑of‑way, or contracts to be tied into Dominion's project. "Our water should be under the county's control," the resident said, arguing the county should acquire its own water capacity and avoid legal entanglements that could bind future county water access to corporate plans.
Another District 2 resident said the county’s existing water and wastewater fee structure and customer base do not cover the operating costs for an industrial user and urged Dominion to pay for any infrastructure and operations required. Several supervisors acknowledged those public concerns and said they wanted the facts before deciding on long‑term commitments.
Supervisor discussion emphasized fact‑finding. One supervisor (identified in debate as Scott) said he would vote to proceed with the study only after receiving reassurance from legal counsel that Dominion would reimburse the county for study costs; the board recorded the motion and approved the appropriation.
The meeting also included planning action to set public hearings on July 14 for two conditional use permits: a proposed 165‑foot radio tower for the Farmville 7th Day Adventist Church at 2086 Cumberland Road and a Mega Minigolf business at 3945 Cumberland Road.
Next steps: the county will finalize contract and reimbursement language before issuing payment for the Timmons Group study; staff and the selected engineering firm are expected to report study findings to the board once work is complete.
