The Noman M. Cole, Jr.,
Pollution Control Plant represents the ongoing commitment by Fairfax
County to meet the wastewater treatment needs of community residents and
businesses while improving our precious environment and enhancing the
quality of life in Fairfax County.
The plant's treatment process is safe, reliable, and cost-effective. The continuous operations result in effluent quality that consistently meets – or surpasses – strict national and state water quality requirements. The plant improves water quality in its ultimate receiving waters, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay, which in turn benefits public interests such as the commercial fishing industry, public health, and recreational water resources. The Noman M. Cole Plant is actively preserving and protecting our natural environment for future generations.
History
The plant was originally placed in operation in 1970, at the beginning of the decade marking the U.S.'s increasing awareness of the environment. The average wastewater treatment capacity of the plant was 18 million gallons per day (MGD) before successful expansion programs increased it to 36 MGD in 1978, 54 MGD in 1995, and 67 MGD in 2005. Process upgrades to meet more stringent water quality standards – for nutrients, nitrogen, and phosphorus, for example – are continually made.
Operation
The treatment facility is operated on a 24-hour, year-round basis, using a variety of physical, biological, and chemical processes for the removal of pollutants harmful to the environment. These pollutants include suspended matter, organic substances, pathogenic organisms, and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The treatment system also protects the public health by destroying infectious microorganisms present in raw wastewater (sewage).
The plant's treatment process is extremely effective, removing 99-99.5% of pollutants, according to federal and state standards. Treated water, which consistently meets high standards of quality, is discharged to nearby Pohick Creek, a tributary to the Potomac River and eventually, to the Chesapeake Bay.
Service Population
The Noman M. Cole Plant treats approximately half of the wastewater generated by 340,000 households and businesses in Fairfax County. The balance of County wastewater is treated at other advanced treatment facilities in the area through interjurisdictional contracts.
Budget
The Noman M. Cole Plant's annual budget is approximately $18-$20 million, which includes personnel, operational costs such as chemicals, electricity, and natural gas, and maintenance costs for equipment and facilities. Funding for capital improvements (rehabilitation and replacement) and operating revenues for the plant are derived from sewer user fees assessed by Fairfax County and charged on residential and business sewer bills.