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Board approves $11.5M Ferncliff clarifier and Newbridge upgrades after public concerns about capacity
Summary
Following public concern about expanded discharge at the Newbridge wastewater plant, supervisors unanimously approved funding and accepted a PPEA proposal to complete required upgrades at the Ferncliff water treatment plant and Newbridge wastewater plant; board members said upgrades respond to state requirements and permit compliance, not automatic expansion of discharge levels.
The Louisa County Board of Supervisors approved funding for two mandated public-utility upgrades and accepted a design-build proposal Tuesday after an extended public hearing that included vocal opposition from Lake Anna residents.
County staff requested cash funding from long‑term capital reserves to complete two projects: an in‑line clarification process (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation) at the Ferncliff Water Treatment Plant and upgrades at the Newbridge Wastewater Treatment Plant. Staff said the Ferncliff clarifier had been part of an original design that was previously deferred but was now required by current drinking-water regulations and primacy determinations; the estimated current cost for the Ferncliff clarifier and related upgrades is approximately $11.5 million.
Members of the Lake Anna Civic Association urged the board not to approve any spending that would enable Newbridge to discharge beyond its current permit of 99,000 gallons per day without advance public debate. John Wayne, speaking for LACA, asked the board to restrict any capacity increases beyond existing permit thresholds and to hold public discussion before allocating funds for capacity expansion.
County utilities staff and engineers responded that the projects are necessary to bring the facilities into regulatory compliance and to avoid repeated permit exceedances. A county utilities representative explained the Ferncliff clarifier was reviewed by the state and that reintroducing the clarifier into the project was required. The board approved both project funding requests unanimously and accepted an unsolicited PPEA proposal from a design-build team; the board also authorized the county administrator to finalize agreements subject to the 30‑day PPEA waiting period.
Board members acknowledged the large cost increases since earlier estimates and expressed frustration at rising construction prices, but they emphasized the county’s obligation to meet state water and wastewater standards and to protect Lake Anna water quality while pursuing long‑term infrastructure resilience.
The board directed staff to make procurement files and project documentation available to the public as allowed by law and to follow PPEA timelines before executing final contracts.
