Noman Cole Wastewater Treatment Plant
Summary
The Noman M. Cole Wastewater Treatment Plant is a regional wastewater facility owned and operated by Fairfax County. The City holds a 6.27% contracted capacity share in the plant. This capacity share has been cited as a key driver of consecutive 6.0% wastewater utility rate increases in the City. On May 6, 2025, the City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-02 (6-0), increasing wastewater utility rates by 6.0% for FY26, with the staff report pointing to the City's contracted capacity at the plant as a primary cost driver. On May 5, 2026, the Council again unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-05 (6-0), enacting another 6.0% rate increase, this time citing not only the capacity share but also the plant's need for major capital upgrades required by federal regulations and aging infrastructure.
Open questions & options on the table
- The full scope, timeline, and cost of the capital upgrades required at the plant due to federal regulations and aging infrastructure have not been detailed in the record.
- It is not yet known how long consecutive rate increases will continue as the plant undergoes major capital improvements.
Full history
[3b] The staff report cited the City's 6.27% contracted capacity in the Noman M. Cole Wastewater Treatment Plant (owned and operated by Fairfax County) as a key driver of the rate increase.
passedMotion to approve Ordinance 2025-02 increasing wastewater service rates by 6.0 percent.✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson[3b] The rate increase is partly driven by the City's 6.27% capacity share in the Noman M. Cole Wastewater Treatment Plant, which requires major capital upgrades due to federal regulations and aging infrastructure.
passedApprove Ordinance 2026-05 amending Chapter 102, Article II, Section 102-31(b) to increase wastewater utility rates by 6.0 percent.✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson