What the Ads Aren’t Telling You About Data Centers

The Hydrological Forecast is from the ICPRB, the water use data is from PW Water

A rebuttal to the industry’s polished pitch in Northern Virginia

If you’ve turned on a television in Northern Virginia lately, you’ve probably seen the glossy ads from Virginia Connects and other industry-backed campaigns. The message is soothing and simple: data centers are quiet neighbors, modest users of local resources, and generous contributors to schools, roads, and jobs.

That message is also incomplete. The ads ask residents to imagine “the cloud” as weightless, green, and nearly invisible. But here in Data Center Alley, the cloud has a physical footprint: transmission lines, substations, backup diesel generators, water withdrawals, stormwater runoff, and rising pressure on household utility bills. This is a rebuttal to the sales pitch and a reminder that Virginians deserve the whole story before being asked to subsidize the next wave of growth.

Claim 1: “Data centers barely use water.”

One of the industry’s favorite talking points is that many data centers do not use water for cooling “96% of the time.” That sounds reassuring until you look at what the number leaves out. It measures duration, not impact. In other words, it focuses on how many hours a facility may avoid evaporative cooling, while downplaying what happens during the hottest, driest, highest-demand hours of the year.

In Virginia’s climate, outside air may handle cooling much of the year. (It was real cold last winter.) But when temperatures climb in the summer and demand peaks, evaporative systems can consume large volumes of water precisely when rivers, reservoirs, and residents are under the greatest stress. The public deserves to know not just whether a facility uses water, but how much it uses during peak summer conditions, and that number is over 10% and growing.

The ads also tend to focus narrowly on onsite cooling. That leaves out the water consumed indirectly through electricity generation which is reported to be 90% of a data center’s water footprint. A data center that draws enormous power from the grid shifts part of its water footprint to power plants that cool turbines and equipment. Calling that “water free” is not transparency- it is accounting by omission.

Claim 2: “Water-positive pledges solve the problem.”

Major tech companies often point to “water positive” goals as proof that they are part of the solution. But water is not like carbon dioxide. A gallon saved in another watershed does not refill the Potomac, the Occoquan, or a local reservoir during a Virginia heatwave. The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) projects that by 2040 summer water use by data centers already in the pipeline with increase demand by 80 million gallons of water a day.

That geographic mismatch matters. If a facility’s local operations stress a local water supply, then the mitigation must be local, measurable, enforceable, and timed to the same season of demand. Otherwise, “water positive” becomes a public-relations phrase rather than a real safeguard for Virginia communities.

The same problem applies to offset-style projects that sound impressive in an advertisement but do little to address the specific burden placed on local residents. Virginians should ask a simple question: does the promised benefit happen here, when we need it, and at a scale that matches the impact?

Claim 3: “Dry cooling makes the resource problem disappear.”

Dry cooling can reduce direct water use, but it does not make the problem vanish. It often shifts the burden from water to electricity. Mechanical air-cooled systems rely on large fans and chillers, and those systems have to work hardest during the same heat waves when families are running air conditioners and the grid is under maximum strain.

So, when an ad suggests that a facility is environmentally benign because it uses less water, residents should ask the follow-up question: how much additional electricity does that choice require, and who pays for the generation, transmission, and reliability upgrades needed to support it?

Claim 4: “Efficiency gains will offset AI growth.”

The industry’s older efficiency story was built around conventional cloud computing. The AI boom changes the equation. High-density AI racks can draw far more power than traditional server racks, and they generate heat that is harder to manage with ordinary air cooling.

That means yesterday’s efficiency talking points cannot be used to wave away tomorrow’s load growth. If AI facilities require dramatically more power per square foot, the public should see updated, project-specific projections—not broad assurances built on the technology mix of the past.

Claim 5: “Backup generators are only for emergencies.”

Data centers are often promoted as clean, high-tech infrastructure, but many rely on large fleets of diesel backup generators. The industry describes these generators as rarely used, but their role has becomes more complicated. When the grid is strained and large customers are asked to reduce load or island themselves from the system. The grid is using them as additional power in their reserve calculations.

That raises a basic public-health question: if diesel engines are part of the reliability plan for a region packed with data centers, how are emissions monitored, limited, and disclosed to nearby communities? Residents should not have to accept unexamined pollution risks as the hidden cost of keeping the cloud online.

Demand-response payments and emergency operations also deserve scrutiny. If large facilities are compensated for reducing demand during crises caused in part by rapid load growth they brought, then regulators should ensure that ratepayers are not paying twice: once for the infrastructure buildout and again for temporary relief when that infrastructure proves insufficient.

Claim 6: “Data centers pay their own way.”

The ads emphasize tax revenue, but the cost side of the ledger is just as important. New substations, transmission lines, generation capacity, water infrastructure, road improvements, and emergency services are not free. When growth is fast enough, the question is not whether data centers pay something. The question is whether they pay the full marginal cost of the new infrastructure they require.

·         The ad version: Data centers generate tax revenue and support public services.

·         The missing context: Rapid load growth can require expensive new infrastructure, and those costs can place risk on households and small businesses unless regulators create strong protections.

That is why the debate over high-load rate classes and cost allocation matters. These policies are not anti-technology; they are basic consumer protection. If a facility needs enormous new grid capacity, ordinary residents should not be left carrying the financial risk if demand forecasts change or speculative projects fail to materialize.

Don’t Let Advertising Substitute for Accountability

The data center industry is not wrong that digital infrastructure matters. It does. But importance is not a blank check. Northern Virginia can support technology without accepting secrecy, weak siting rules, vague offsets, hidden water impacts, or utility bills that rise to finance private growth.

So, the next time a polished TV ad tells you that data centers are quiet, clean, and cost-free neighbors, remember what the ad leaves out. Ask for local water data. Ask who pays for the next transmission line. Ask how diesel emissions are monitored. Ask whether “water positive” means anything in our watershed. Ask whether the companies profiting from AI expansion are paying the full cost of the infrastructure they require. Virginia does not need more slogans. It needs transparency, enforceable standards, and a growth policy that protects residents first.

Cascading Failures in DC Water's Pipes

For decades, DC Water postponed maintenance and pipe replacement across its water and sewer systems. Improvements under George Hawkins helped, but they were not enough to prevent today’s cascading failures. Before his tenure, DC Water replaced about 0.3% of its pipe network each year; Hawkins raised that rate to 1.0% annually.

Still, replacing pipes on a 100-year cycle when many are rated for only 75 years created a growing replacement deficit. That shortfall is now producing major emergencies, including the January 2026 collapse of the Potomac Interceptor, which was reportedly only 64 years old.

Although a 64-year-old pipe is younger than many 19th-century water mains beneath downtown Washington, D.C., concrete sewer interceptors are exposed to distinct chemical stresses.

A reinforced concrete pipe of this type typically has an engineering life of about 50 to 75 years. After six decades in service, the Potomac Interceptor had suffered severe internal corrosion from sewer gases, weakening the concrete until the 72-inch line collapsed beneath the Clara Barton Parkway.

The Replacement Rate Gap

• The “300-Year” Era: Before George Hawkins’ tenure (2009–2017), DC Water replaced roughly 0.3% of its pipes each year, implying a replacement cycle of about 300 years.
• The Hawkins Reform: Hawkins warned publicly about the danger of that pace. He tripled the replacement rate to 1% per year—a 100-year cycle—and introduced a System Availability Fee to help fund the work.
• The “Never Caught Up” Reality: Hawkins acknowledged that the utility was still making up for a century of deferred maintenance and that “the bill has come due.” Even at 1% per year, the system cannot keep pace with post-World War II pipes that typically last about 75 years.

The “Cascading Failures”

Recent high-profile infrastructure failures in 2026 show that the effects of deferred maintenance are no longer theoretical. The backlog has become a physical reliability crisis, not just a financial liability.

• Potomac Interceptor Collapse (Jan. 2026): A 72-inch sewer pipe failed in Maryland in a major event consistent with cascading infrastructure collapse. The single failure released an estimated 240–300 million gallons of raw sewage into the watershed and was attributed to deterioration in a system built in the 1960s that had exceeded its useful life.
• Systemic Fragility: The impacts are compounding. The January 2026 collapse forced DC Water to seek federal emergency aid and prompted a negligence lawsuit from the state of Maryland.
• Water Main Breaks: The system also continues to experience frequent breaks, especially during cold snaps. In early 2026, aging pipes exposed to cold river water contributed to hundreds of breaks in a single month.

In short, the “cascading failures” described here have been occurring throughout the first half of 2026.

The system’s fragility was evident in the January sewer collapse, a wave of winter water main breaks, and June emergency repairs aimed at preventing another disaster. Last winter as temperatures fell, aging mains—many rated for 75 years but in service longer—failed under thermal stress. Notable examples include:

• Georgetown (Feb. 5): A major break flooded an underground parking garage, sent water through walls, and closed nearby roads.
• Southeast DC (Feb.): A severe main break at 51st Street and Southern Avenue damaged homes and left some basements submerged. DC Water accepted liability in April
• Downtown DC (Jan. 26): A 12-inch main burst at 14th and I Streets NW, disrupting traffic in the city center.
• Routine Failures: Throughout late January and early February, crews repaired multiple 8-inch mains, including on 46th Street SE and 15th Street NW, as the system struggled with cold conditions.

3. Recent Emergency Actions (June 2026)

Failures earlier in the year shaped the utility’s actions heading into summer.

• Emergency Interceptor Repairs (June 15): Crews began emergency work to reinforce a corroded section of the Potomac Interceptor near Pennyfield Lock. Inspections found exposed rebar and significant deterioration, requiring immediate action to avoid another spill like the January collapse.
• Boil Water Advisory (June 5): Although not a pipe burst, a failure at the Fort Reno Pumping Station caused a major pressure loss and triggered a boil water advisory for 5,000 homes in Upper Northwest DC. The incident underscored the fragility of the pumps and valves that support the pipe network. 

Moving from a 300-year to a 100-year replacement cycle was a major administrative improvement, but it was still not enough to stop the system’s aging curve. Pipes rated for 75 years—especially those installed in the mid-20th century—are failing faster than the 100-year replacement schedule, producing the emergency failures seen in 2026.

DC Water’s infrastructure is old even by national standards, and catching up is not a one-time expense but a multi-decade commitment measured in billions. The median DC water pipe is 79 years old, meaning half of the city’s 1,300 miles of pipe were installed before 1936. Some mains still in service date to the 1860s. The sewer system is similarly old: roughly half of all sewer lines are more than 84 years old, and the system’s core dates to around 1810, making it among the oldest in the country.

There is no single price tag for “fixing everything” because replacement is a continuous process. Current commitments are about $1 billion per year for the next decade, and even that primarily supports the 100-year replacement-cycle catch-up. In practice, catch-up funds are often diverted to emergencies.

Regional Partners Launch Landmark Study to Secure Backup Water Supply for the National Capital Region

Th following is from a WSSC press release: 

$25 million Secure the Source study will evaluate large-scale regional solutions to provide several weeks of emergency drinking water backup for more than 5 million people who rely on the Potomac River.

Regional water utility leaders from WSSC Water, Fairfax Water, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with government partners, announced the launch of Secure the Source, a $25 million regional study to evaluate large-scale backup water supply alternatives for the Potomac River.

The National Capital Region is almost entirely dependent on the Potomac River for its drinking water. That reliance leaves the entire capital region vulnerable to disruptions caused by intentional sabotage, accidental spills or contamination, prolonged drought, infrastructure failure, natural disasters, climate variability, and other emerging risks.

The study will identify large-scale solutions capable of providing several weeks of emergency backup drinking water for more than 5 million customers across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The initiative follows approval by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works to begin the landmark study, which will include 35 percent design work and associated environmental impact assessments.

Why the Study Matters

“The Potomac River has served this region exceptionally well for generations,” said WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell. “However, planning for the future means recognizing that a single source of supply, no matter how reliable, carries inherent risks. This study will help identify a large-scale solution that strengthens the region’s resilience and helps ensure uninterrupted water service during an emergency.”

Study Scope and Alternatives

Conducted in partnership with regional water providers, state and local governments, federal agencies, and other stakeholders, Secure the Source will identify a backup water supply that can reduce the impact of extended disruptions to the Potomac River system.

The study will evaluate pre-screened large-scale regional alternatives developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District, including:

• No action
• Travilah Quarry (MD)
• Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant - Advanced Water Reuse (D.C.)
• Luck Stone Quarries B&C (VA)

 “The Secure the Source study represents a critical, collaborative step toward protecting more than 5 million people who depend on this shared resource,” said Jamie Hedges, General Manager/CEO of Fairfax Water. “By working together now, we can strengthen our regional resilience and ensure that safe, dependable drinking water is always there when our customers need it most.”

 “Ensuring a safe, reliable, and uninterrupted water supply to the National Capital Region is the core of the Washington Aqueduct's mission,” said Rudy Chow, General Manager of the Washington Aqueduct. “While our current systems are resilient, a secondary water source is an urgent necessity to provide the critical operational redundancy required to safeguard our nation's capital against future disruptions. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, is pleased to provide technical assistance to this regional effort as our utility partners spearhead vital long-term water security solutions.”

 “This effort is exactly the kind of decisive action that Maryland and the nation’s capital region need to secure the water supply at a time of growing stresses and threats,” said Serena McIlwain, Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment. “A sustainable, reliable water supply is essential to sustain life and grow our economy, and this feasibility study is a pivotal step to secure that water supply for generations to come.”

 “Water is the foundation of public health, economic vitality and national security,” said Michael Nardolilli, Executive Director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. “This study is about ensuring that future generations inherit a water system that is resilient, reliable and prepared for the challenges ahead.”

More than 5 million residents, visitors, businesses, federal agencies, military installations, and institutions throughout the Washington metropolitan region depend on uninterrupted access to safe drinking water from the Potomac River. Utility leaders are expediting the pursuit of a large-scale solution that would provide several weeks of backup drinking water storage capacity for the entire metro region.

“This effort reflects what our region does best — working together across jurisdictions and utilities to plan for our shared future,” said Clark Mercer, Executive Director of COG. “Building on proven regional investments like Jennings Randolph Reservoir and Blue Plains, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen our water supply and support the region for decades to come.”

 The effort builds on decades of regional collaboration and prior investments designed to enhance drought resilience and water supply reliability. The study's findings will provide decision-makers with the technical, environmental, and engineering information needed to determine the most viable path forward for long-term water security.

 “Good governance means planning ahead and preparing for challenges before they become crises,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “More than five million residents depend on the water supply from the Potomac River every day. This study is an important step toward ensuring that we have the infrastructure and resiliency needed to protect public health and maintain critical services during emergencies. I appreciate the leadership of WSSC Water, Fairfax Water, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and our regional partners for working together on this critical issue.”

 Despite decades of planning and investment, the National Capital Region remains vulnerable because it is almost entirely reliant on the Potomac River for its water supply.  “Past investments have strengthened our water future, but today’s planning alone cannot meet tomorrow’s challenges,” said Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy. “Completing this study is essential to identify the infrastructure needed to protect Prince George’s County and the region for decades to come.”

 The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin estimates that a prolonged, one-month disruption to the Capital Region’s water source could result in up to $15 billion in lost gross regional product and hundreds of millions of dollars in lost tax revenue.

The National Capital Region is home to the nation's capital, major military installations, federal agencies, international organizations, and one of the country's most dynamic economic centers. Regional leaders emphasized that reliable access to drinking water is essential not only for residents and businesses, but also for the continuity of critical government and military operations.

 Upon completion in two years, the study is expected to position the region to pursue future federal, state, and local investments needed to design and construct the recommended alternative. A large-scale regional water security project will require significant investment, and regional partners will need to work together to secure funding for construction of the selected alternative.

 Current U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Study

The region previously pursued and received congressional authorization and funding for a study to analyze options for a secondary source of drinking water, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. USACE now follows a framework under which studies must be completed within three years and cost $3 million or less. As a result, the scope of that study was reduced to assessing upgrades at the Dalecarlia Reservoir that would provide approximately 12 additional hours of water reserve for the Washington Aqueduct exclusively. While those upgrades would provide some increased resilience, regional water utilities recognize the need for larger-scale regional solutions that can provide several weeks of storage capacity, ensure customers throughout the region have access to clean, safe drinking water during a crisis, and put the region on par with the drinking water resilience of other major metropolitan areas in the United States.

About WSSC Water

Established in 1918, WSSC Water is the largest utility in Maryland and the eighth-largest water and wastewater utility in the nation. It provides safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services to 1.9 million residents in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties through approximately 475,000 customer accounts across a nearly 1,000-square-mile service area. WSSC Water operates and maintains more than 11,000 miles of drinking water and sewer mains. In more than a century of service, WSSC Water has never had a drinking water quality violation.

 As a not-for-profit public utility, WSSC Water is focused on serving customers, not shareholders. Every dollar collected is reinvested directly into infrastructure, technology, and its workforce to strengthen reliability, improve service, and protect public health for generations to come.

About Fairfax Water

Chartered in 1957 by the Virginia State Corporation Commission as a public, not-for-profit water utility, Fairfax Water is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors composed of Fairfax County citizens and appointed by the elected Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. A General Manager, supported by more than 514 water professionals, manages the day-to-day operations of Fairfax Water. Fairfax Water is Virginia’s largest water utility and one of the 25 largest water utilities in the country, serving one out of every four Virginians who obtain their water from public utilities. More than 2.2 million people in Northern Virginia communities including Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Herndon, Vienna, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax City, Fort Belvoir, and Dulles International Airport depend on Fairfax Water for reliable drinking water.

 Fairfax Water draws raw water from two primary sources: the Potomac River and the Occoquan Reservoir, which is fed by the Occoquan River, a tributary of the Potomac. Fairfax Water owns and operates two of the largest water treatment facilities in Virginia, with average daily water production of 170 million gallons and combined maximum production capacity of 345 million gallons per day.

About the Washington Aqueduct

The Washington Aqueduct, a division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, is a federally owned and operated public water supply agency that has served the National Capital Region since 1859. Operating two D.C.-based water treatment plants, the Aqueduct produces an average of 135 million gallons of safe drinking water daily for approximately one million regional users. The agency provides a dependable supply to three wholesale customers: DC Water, Arlington County, and Fairfax Water. Grounded in a rich engineering heritage, this vital federal asset integrates a unified security posture with modern processes to support national security and long-term regional water resilience.

 About ICPRB

The mission of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin is to protect and enhance the waters and related resources of the Potomac River basin through science, regional cooperation, and education. Through regional cooperation and partnerships, ICPRB protects the river and improves quality of life in the watershed.

 ICPRB monitors river levels and coordinates releases from upstream drinking water reservoirs to supplement flow.

 About COG

Founded in 1957, COG is a nonprofit association with a membership of 300 elected officials from 24 local governments, the Maryland and Virginia state legislatures, and the U.S. Congress. Every month, more than 1,500 officials and experts connect through COG to develop solutions to the region’s major challenges and plan for the future. The Board of Directors is COG’s governing body and is responsible for its overall policies. A wide network of city and county managers, police and fire chiefs, housing and planning directors, environmental officials, chief equity officers, public health officials, transportation planners, and others coordinate through COG’s committees, partnerships, and working groups.

Are Water Restrictions Coming for You?

Last Friday, the Fauquier County Water and Sanitation Authority (FCWSA) implemented mandatory water restriction rules, due to the active Drought Warning Advisory issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

The mandatory rules target outdoor water consumption for all customers on the public FCWSA water systems to preserve water pressure and fire protection services. Residents relying on private wells are strongly encouraged to voluntarily practice the same conservation measures.

The mandatory restrictions ban or strictly limit the following activities:

• Lawn Watering: The use of sprinklers or irrigation systems is prohibited.
• Vehicle Washing: Washing cars, trucks, or trailers at home is banned, except at dedicated commercial facilities that use water recycling systems.
• Pool Filling: Filling empty swimming pools or wading pools (or those less than three-quarters full) is prohibited.
• Surface Cleaning: Washing down driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, or exterior building structures is barred unless required for health or safety.
• Decorative Elements: Operating non-essential water amenities like fountains, waterfalls, or reflecting ponds is banned unless required to sustain aquatic life.

Caroline County has also issued mandatory water restrictions. Due to extreme drought conditions straining their groundwater supply, county officials elevated local emergency rules to Level 3 Mandatory Restrictions.

The broader D.C. metropolitan area remains under a regional Drought Watch, meaning that local jurisdictions rely entirely on voluntary cutbacks to protect the Potomac River basin. If you recall at the beginning of June, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) put a Drought Watch into effect due to the unusually dry conditions that are expected to persist despite recent rainfall. The regional Drought Watch applies to nearly six million residents across the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia the water saving measures requested are voluntary.

Fairfax Water & Fairfax City

Fairfax Water emphasizes optimizing daily household routines to keep backup reservoirs full:

·         Indoor: Shorten showers to under 5 minutes, turn off faucets while brushing teeth or shaving, and fix plumbing leaks immediately (especially running toilets).

• Appliances: Only run dishwashers and laundry machines when fully loaded.
• Outdoor: Minimize the watering of lawns or shrubs, use a broom instead of a hose to clear driveways, and avoid home car washing. Loudoun Water & Town of Leesburg

Loudoun Water and the Town of Leesburg ask residents to fundamentally shift outdoor water usage to slow down the drought's impact:

• Lawn Care: Suspend or heavily restrict routine lawn irrigation; let established grass go dormant in the dry weather.
• Targeted Watering: Prioritize root systems of newly planted trees or essential shrubs using a slow drip to prevent runoff.
• Vehicle Washing: Skip home vehicle or boat washing entirely, or substitute with commercial recycling car washes.

Prince William Water

Prince William Water focuses heavily on strict monitoring of outdoor demands while supply in the Potomac remains adequate:

• Landscaping: Actively monitor and decrease the frequency of plant and shrub watering.
• Hardscape Cleaning: Heavily discourage hosing down patios, sidewalks, and siding, requesting sweeping instead.
• Kitchen Habits: Run the faucet only when actively scrubbing dishes if washing by hand.

Town of Purcellville

Because the Town of Purcellville operates on an independent groundwater/well network, they remain at a localized Drought Warning level despite lifting mandatory restrictions. They request the most aggressive voluntary pullbacks in the area:

• Strict Conservation: Voluntarily cease all non-essential outdoor water usage.
• Peak Shaving: Minimize any essential appliance use during peak early morning and late evening hours to protect community system pressure

DC Water Voluntary Guidelines

The utility urges consumers to practice "wise water use" through minor adjustments to daily household routines:

• Shorter Showers: Keep daily showers under 5 minutes.
• Faucet Habits: Turn off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving, or scrubbing dishes by hand.
• Smart Outdoor Watering: Limit unnecessary watering, and only water yards during the early morning or evening to minimize evaporation.
• Full Laundry/Dish Loads: Delay running appliances until they are completely full.
• Proactive Leak Checks: Inspect toilets, faucets, and exterior hoses for hidden leaks and patch them immediately

WSSC Water Voluntary Restrictions (Current)

WSSC Water has adopted the regional "Wise Water Use" guidelines under the current Drought Watch. They ask customers to:

• Outdoor:

o    Limit lawn watering and stop if it rains.

o    Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways, sidewalks, and patios.

o    Use commercial car washes that recycle water instead of washing vehicles at home.

o    Water flowers and shrubs with a hand-held hose or watering can rather than automated sprinklers.

• Indoor:

o    Keep showers to under 5 minutes.

o    Turn off faucets while brushing teeth or shaving.

o    Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.

o    Check for and repair silent leaks, especially in toilets (a major source of wasted water).

 Because WSSC, Fairfax Water, Prince William Water, Loudoun Water, and the Town of Leesburg all share the Potomac River as their primary water source, they coordinate their restriction levels together through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. They will move to mandatory restrictions only when the region escalates to a Drought Emergency. The trigger for a drought emergency is: Critical water shortage where backup reservoirs are dangerously low and there is an imminent risk of not meeting essential public health and safety needs (fire protection, drinking water).

EPA Proposed Changes to PFAS Drinking Water Rules

EPA Proposed Changes to PFAS Drinking Water Rules

In a May 18, 2026 press release, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule that would rescind the 2024 drinking water standards for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX chemicals), PFBS, and the hazard index for mixtures involving these PFAS.

• Written comments on the proposed rule are due by July 20, 2026.
• The public docket is available at www.regulations.gov under Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0654.
• The EPA will hold a virtual public hearing on July 7, 2026 to present information on the proposal and receive verbal comments.
• Registration is required to attend or speak, and the deadline to pre-register to provide public comment is July 1, 2026.
• Information and registration for the hearing are available here.
• The EPA will post the hearing agenda and list of pre-registered speakers by July 6, 2026.
• Questions about the hearing may be directed to PFASNPDWR@epa.gov.

The EPA is also proposing to extend the compliance deadlines for the PFOA and PFOS maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). The hearing on that proposal will be held sequentially with the PFAS rescission hearing.

In practical terms, the EPA is not simply revisiting these rules; it is proposing to revoke the existing 2024 enforceable limits for GenX, PFNA, PFBS, and PFHxS and begin a new review process that could take years. If finalized, those chemicals would return to an unregulated federal status during that period. At the same time, the compliance deadlines for PFOA and PFOS would be extended by two years.

Virginia's Response

Because Virginia public water systems must ultimately align with federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, the Commonwealth is focusing on upstream sources of PFAS contamination. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is leading several initiatives under state legislation signed by Governor Spanberger on April 26, 2026.

• When the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) identifies a public water system that exceeds a PFAS threshold, DEQ must trace the contamination back to its source.
• DEQ may require suspected industrial facilities and manufacturers to self-report or monitor PFAS discharges for one year.
• Publicly owned wastewater treatment plants, airports, firefighting facilities, and industrial chemical users must test their effluent and discharges for PFAS and report the results to DEQ.

Related Virginia laws also expressly allow localities to require PFAS testing of sewage sludge, or biosolids, before those materials are applied to farmland as fertilizer. This matters because land application is one pathway by which PFAS can enter the food supply. Wastewater treatment plants do not destroy PFAS; instead, they concentrate these chemicals in solid residuals. When a municipal plant receives waste from sources such as chemical manufacturers, carpet producers, or facilities that used aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), the resulting biosolids can contain elevated PFAS concentrations.

When biosolids with elevated PFAS are spread on fields, short-chain PFAS compounds can be taken up by crops such as corn and grains. Livestock that consume those crops or graze on sludge-amended pasture can then accumulate PFAS in their milk, fat, and organs. In several states—including Maine, Michigan, and Texas—this contamination has contributed to severe agricultural losses, including farm closures and the culling of herds.

COG Declares a Regional Drought Watch

The following is a news release from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments"

 Washington, DC (June 3, 2026) – A Drought Watch was put into effect today by the Drought Coordination Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) following unusually dry conditions that are expected to persist despite recent rainfall. The regional Drought Watch applies to nearly six million residents across the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

Officials stress that while there is currently an adequate supply of water in the Potomac River and backup reservoirs, residents and businesses are encouraged to practice wise water use by taking simple, voluntary steps to reduce water use and help protect the region’s water resources if dry conditions persist.

 

Here are some simple tips residents can use to limit indoor and outdoor water use:

 

INDOOR

• Reduce shower length to under 5 minutes;
• Turn off water while brushing your teeth/shaving;
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes; and
• Fix any plumbing leaks – especially toilets and faucets.

OUTDOOR

• Monitor watering lawns, plants, and shrubs;
• Sweep sidewalks and driveways (instead of using a hose); and
• Avoid washing your car or instead use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

The region’s last Drought Watch occurred between July 2024 to June 2025. This year, from March to April, the region experienced record-breaking high temperatures along with some periods of historically low streamflow levels. The Potomac River reached its lowest level during this time period, based on 130 years of data. In addition, the two-year precipitation deficit is almost 8 inches.

 

“Our region hasn’t seen extremely dry conditions like this in about two decades when local leaders and COG first established a drought response plan to support coordination and communication regionwide,” said Clark Mercer, COG Executive Director. “During the Drought Watch, we’re asking the public to help by incorporating simple, water-saving actions into their daily routines.”

 

A Drought Watch is an early advisory stage in the Regional Drought Response Plan. It is the level before the Drought Warning stage, when water restrictions would be encouraged. At the highest Emergency stage, jurisdictions and utilities may implement mandatory water use restrictions in a coordinated manner. Since the adoption of the regional drought plan in 2000, the region has not entered the Drought Warning stage.

“Due to years of planning and preparation, our water supply infrastructure is well-equipped to handle drought. Nevertheless, it makes sense for all of us to use water wisely to conserve this precious resource,” stated Michael Nardolilli, the executive director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB). The ICPRB is monitoring the Potomac River flow daily and working with several federal agencies, regional partners, and area water suppliers to assess the situation in real time. The Potomac River supplies 78 percent of the drinking water for the region.

 

“We’re working closely with our regional partners to actively monitor conditions and protect our shared water resources,” said WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell. “While our water supply remains stable, now is a great time for all of us to practice wise water use. By making simple, voluntary changes in daily routines, our customers can save water and money.”

 

“The Washington Aqueduct stands fully ready and prepared to meet the operational demands of our region during these drought conditions,” said Washington Aqueduct General Manager Rudy Chow. “However, managing our shared water resources is a collective responsibility. We rely on the community’s awareness and voluntary actions to ensure long-term water resiliency for everyone.”

 

“While our region has an adequate water supply to meet demands, the public can make a difference during these dry spells by using water wisely,” said Fairfax Water General Manager Jamie Bain Hedges.

 

JURISDICTIONS IN THE COG DROUGHT WATCH:

 

District of Columbia

 

Suburban Maryland

Town of Bladensburg; City of Bowie; City of College Park; Charles County; City of Frederick; Frederick County; City of Gaithersburg; City of Greenbelt; City of Hyattsville; City of Laurel; Montgomery County; Prince George's County; City of Rockville; City of Takoma Park

 

Northern Virginia

City of Alexandria; Arlington County; City of Fairfax; Fairfax County; City of Falls Church; Loudoun County; City of Manassas; City of Manassas Park; Prince William County

The Impact of Development on Source Water and Groundwater Recharge

The water flowing from our taps doesn't originate at a treatment plant; it begins in our watersheds, specifically the upstream land of the greater Occoquan Watershed. When development occurs—such as paving and building within the watershed—we do more than alter the scenery. These actions fundamentally change how water moves through the landscape, how streams withstand drought, and how much pollution ultimately reaches the reservoir.

Development and Its Consequences

Every acre of forest and field that is converted into roofs, roads, and driveways reduces groundwater recharge and increases polluted runoff. This pushes our streams closer to drying up, causing gradual, cumulative, and eventually sudden destruction of our source water.

Currently, there is a proposal to amend the Comprehensive Plan for more than 200 acres west of Thoroughfare Road and south of John Marshall Highway. This proposal would change zoning from A-1 Agricultural to Planned Mixed Residential (PMR), permitting 97 detached homes, 56 attached homes, and the accompanying roads, parking lots, driveways, patios, and other impervious surfaces. Such changes are not neutral for the water supply; they directly impact the land that feeds our streams and, ultimately, the Occoquan Reservoir. It is not just this change it is the destruction of the watershed one comprehensive plan amendment at a time. 

Importance of the Bull Run Watershed

The Bull Run watershed is a vital part of the source-water system for the Occoquan Reservoir, which supplies drinking water to eastern Prince William County and much of eastern Fairfax County. The lower Bull Run area remains one of the most intact and least-disturbed sections of the watershed. Once these headwaters are fragmented and paved, we lose the natural infrastructure that maintains clean water, particularly during droughts. The issues observed in Little Bull Run are not isolated; they serve as a warning regarding the consequences of continued development in western and central Prince William for our drinking water supply.

Groundwater: The Invisible Essential

To understand the ongoing changes, it's important to discuss groundwater, which is invisible yet essential. Groundwater typically provides 30% to more than 50% of the annual flow for streams and rivers. This steady, slow-moving contribution is known as baseflow and acts like a "savings account," sustaining streams over time and providing flow during dry spells.

Drought and Its Effects

Prince William County and most of Virginia are currently experiencing severe drought. While the region usually receives about 44 inches of rainfall annually, last year was about 9 inches below average, and the first half of this water year saw roughly half the usual precipitation- about 13 inches below average. Despite a period of very wet years from 2018 to 2021, followed by near-normal rainfall with dry summers, recent summers have exposed weaknesses in the system.

Stream and Groundwater Dynamics

Streams in the Bull Run watershed are “gaining” streams, receiving direct groundwater supply. For groundwater to feed a stream, the water table must be higher than the stream’s water level, allowing water to seep through streambeds and banks. Excessive groundwater withdrawal or reduced recharge can sever this connection, turning perennial streams into seasonal ones.

Impervious Cover and Stormwater Runoff

As development increases impervious cover—such as roads, pavement, and buildings—the area available for rain and snow to infiltrate the ground decreases. Stormwater velocity and quantity rise, preventing infiltration and increasing flooding, which carries fertilizers, oil, grease, and road salt into rivers and streams. In the past six years, stormwater flooding has occurred adjacent to previously open areas of the county away from the shoreline.

Increased runoff volume and velocity lead to higher peak storm flows, causing flooding, soil erosion, and fast-moving water that carries contaminants. Reduced infiltration means less groundwater, which is essential for maintaining the base flow to streams and rivers feeding the Occoquan Reservoir during dry months.

Groundwater Recharge Trends

Groundwater in the Culpeper Basin is generally replenished annually through precipitation, but increasing impervious surfaces have altered this balance. In the past, water withdrawal matched recharge rates, ensuring adequate supply even during droughts. However, the region’s only nearby US Geological Survey groundwater monitoring well has shown a slow decline in water levels over the past decade and a half, despite varied rainfall conditions.

Watershed Response to Development

In Haymarket, the Bull Run Mountain Conservancy found that perennial streams such as Little Bull Run and Catlett’s Branch were dry during a dry August, with Catharpin Creek reduced to puddles. This was the driest period observed and may signal a new normal during dry times, highlighting how the watershed responds to recent development.

Reduced groundwater levels gradually transform perennial streams into ephemeral ones, disconnecting groundwater from surface water. Once development destroys watershed hydrology, restoration becomes extremely difficult. The Occoquan watershed is essential for regional drinking water, and groundwater is critical for streams and rivers.

Protecting Groundwater and Hydrology

Long-Term Watershed Changes

Development triggers immediate responses in a watershed, but significant ecological and physical changes take 20 to 50 years to fully emerge. Replacing 35–50% of forested areas with impervious surfaces permanently alters water movement. As impervious coverage increases, profound hydrological and ecological shifts occur over time.

Hydrological Alterations

• Runoff reaches streams more rapidly and in larger volumes, causing higher peak floods and more frequent flooding.
• Perennial streams begin to dry out or flow intermittently, eventually becoming ephemeral.
• Impervious surfaces prevent water from soaking into the ground, leading to dropping water tables and dry streams during summer.

Physical and Water Quality Changes

• High-velocity storm runoff causes severe bank erosion, incision, and blowouts, destroying aquatic habitats.
• Stormwater carries oils, heavy metals, road salts, and nutrients directly into waterways, bypassing natural filtration.
• Rainwater flowing over heated pavement raises stream temperatures, threatening aquatic life.
• Pavement, compacted lawns, and buildings prevent groundwater percolation, increasing land temperatures.

The cumulative effects observed now stem from building during the 1990s through 2007.

Recommendations for Protecting Source Water

• Treat the Bull Run watershed as source-water infrastructure—not as leftover land for development.
• Oppose Comprehensive Plan changes and rezonings that increase impervious cover in headwaters feeding Bull Run and the Occoquan system.
• Enforce stronger safeguards: limits on impervious cover, meaningful forest protection, groundwater-recharge preservation, and stormwater designs that mimic natural infiltration.
• Support acquisition and conservation easements for large, connected tracts in the watershed, because once developed, hydrology is permanently changed.

If the watershed continues to be treated as an empty canvas for growth, we risk actively destroying the source water for our regional drinking water supply, incrementally through rezoning, roads, and parking lots. By protecting infiltration, baseflow, and intact stream corridors now, we can safeguard the Occoquan for decades to come.