Nelson County, NCSA Race to Meet DEQ Corrective‑Action Deadline as Wintergreen Plant Failures Persist

Justin Shimp, North District Director and chairman of the Nelson County Service Authority, and George T. Miller, the Authority’s executive director, told the Nelson County Board of Supervisors on June 30 that the Authority must submit a Plan and Schedule of Corrective Action to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality by July 10 after repeated overflows during recent ski seasons. "Membranes become fouled, clogged, and will not allow the flow to pass through them," Miller said, explaining the DEQ consent order cites the membrane system failures as the operational cause.

Miller and consultants said the short‑term package to avoid overflows includes mobile sewage treatment units plus pump‑and‑haul as a backup, and that the Authority must order the temporary units promptly to meet DEQ’s December 1 operating deadline. Miller reported an estimated cost of $4.1 million to prevent overflows during the upcoming winter season and cautioned the full extent and duration of the measures remain unknown; "the full extent and duration of the needed measures remained unknown," he said. Consultants noted equipment manufacturers commonly require roughly 50% upfront payment, and lead times make the July ordering window critical.

The Authority and supervisors discussed that some elements of the $4.1 million estimate do not include additional cleanings, staff time, or potential repairs; Shimp confirmed the Authority has experienced significant recent cleanup and short‑term costs, including an earlier cleaning that cost about $150,000. The boards directed staff to continue negotiating technical options, compile firm quotes, and return to the Board of Supervisors with purchase vs. rental cost details by July 8–9 ahead of the July 14 meeting.