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Place · on the record since 2025

Noman Cole Wastewater Treatment Plant

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 adopted by the City Council.

On May 6, 2025, the Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-02 (6-0), increasing wastewater rates by 6.0% for FY26, with staff citing the City's contracted share at the plant as a primary cost factor. On May 5, 2026, the Council again unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-05 (6-0), approving another 6.0% rate increase, this time noting that the plant requires major capital upgrades driven by federal regulations and aging infrastructure. Both rate increases amended Chapter 102, Article II, Section 102-31(b) of the City Code.

Still open

  • Whether further rate increases will be required in future fiscal years as the Noman M. Cole plant's capital upgrade program progresses.
  • The scope, timeline, and total cost of the capital upgrades required at the plant due to federal regulations and aging infrastructure have not been detailed in the record.

History

Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.

  • May 6, 2025City Council · item 3b
    Ordinance amending Chapter 102, Article II, Section 102-31(b) – Wastewater Utility Rate Increase 6.0% for FY26

    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
    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • May 5, 2026City Council · item 3b
    Consideration of an ordinance amending Chapter 102, Article II, Section 102-31(b) – Wastewater Utility Rate Increase of 6.0 Percent

    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
    minutesagenda