Customers of the Rapidan Water Authority, which serves the central Piedmont region including Orange County, have been advised not to drink their water because of a foul odor. But the question remains: What is causing the odor?
The Virginia Department of Health and the RSA initially issued water ban advisories, including a no-swimming policy in the Rapidan River as a precaution, on Wednesday after residents reported an odor in the tap water.
People have reported a diesel-like smell, raising concerns that oil may have leaked into the Rapidan River, which flows into the Rappahannock River and is a source of water that is treated at the Wilderness Treatment Plant and sent to customers.
However, after “comprehensive water sampling,” VDH found that there were no volatile organic compounds (found in fuels and household products) that could cause odors of concern and that the drinking water complies with federal and state drinking water standards.
Still, the advisory to not drink alcohol will remain in place until the concerning odor has been significantly abated, Brookie Crawford, risk communications manager for VDH, said Monday, adding that “comprehensive lab sample testing conducted to date has not indicated a public health risk.”
Brent Hunsinger, director of outreach and coastal programs for Friends of the Rappahannock, an environmental nonprofit focused on protecting the Rappahannock River, said there have been no signs of dead fish or discoloration of the river.
The lack of ecological impacts means the odors could be coming from infrastructure at the wastewater treatment plant itself, but even there no source or chemical has been identified, Hansigner said, based on conversations with people familiar with the response.
“This is a pretty troubling problem,” Hunsinger said, adding that solving the mystery is taking so long because water testing takes 48 hours.
Crawford said VDH plans to reinspect the facility on Monday.
“RSA is advising customers who are still experiencing an odor to run their taps,” Drinking Water Commissioner Dwayne Roadcap said. “Investigations are ongoing to determine the source and cause of the odor.”
Residents who notice an odd odor in their tap water can report it using this form on the RSA website.
