Public Works and Environmental Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administrative offices are open to the public. Appointments are preferred. Please call or email 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
703-324-5800 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 449 Fairfax, VA 22035
Carey Needham
Director, Capital Facilities

Covanta Force Main Replacement

Project Number: WW-000001-034

Project Update: October 31, 2024

Phase 1 of this project is currently under 20% construction and Phase 2 is at 100% design.


Project Background

After reviewing the force main near Covanta Pump Station in Lorton, Virginia, it was determined the existing DIP force main was eroding from the inside out due to the increase in acidity levels from the landfill leachates and increased abrasion from the Covanta Energy/Resource Recovery Facility cooling water towers that were conveyed in the existing force main.

Project Description

The work to be completed for the Covanta Force Main Replacement project consists of replacing approximately 2,600 LF of the existing 8” Ductile Iron Pipe (DIP) force main with 8” HDPE from the Covanta Pump Station valve vault to the Lorton Road’s Right-of-Way (ROW). Then, it will encompass replacing approximately 4,100 LF of 8” DIP with 8” of HDPE from the intersection of Lorton Road to the terminal manhole of the existing force main.

Project Location

Address: 9898 Furnace Rd Lorton, VA 22079 (Covanta Energy Plant)

Map - Covanta Pump StationBlue square is the Covanta Pump Station. Orange Box encompasses Phase One. Green Box encompasses Phase Two. Red broken line in the rectangular boxes is the alignment of the Force Main.

Project Phase

Phase 1 of this project is currently under 20% construction and Phase 2 is at 100% design with bid coming soon.

Project Benefits

Benefits Reason
Infrastructural Longevity Helps extend the lifespan of the sewer infrastructure
Prevents System Failures
Protects against aging, leaks, and eroding
Environmental Protection Prevents untreated water from entering water bodies
Cost Saving Reduce emergency repairs

Timeline

Estimated Finish for Phase 1 January 2025
Estimated Finish for Phase 2 September 2025

What to Expect

The project has been awarded to William A. Hazel for Linear Construction. All work will be inspected and supervised by Fairfax County to ensure quality. Every effort will be made to minimize disturbances and impacts to public and private areas. A portion of the road leading to the Covanta Energy Plant will be one lane and have construction workers directing flow. Careful consideration will be given to scheduling construction activities to minimize disruption in the community. There will be no disruption to the existing sanitary sewer service.

Project Cost and Funding Source

The construction cost for phase 1 of the project is approximately $2.7 million. The cost for construction of phase 2 of the project is approximately $4.5 million. Wastewater construction projects are funded through the County’s Capital Improvement Program.

Contact

For more information, please email Matthew Doyle, Project Manager, Fairfax County Wastewater Collection Division at Matthew.Doyle2@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the force main replacement will not affect any resident’s sanitary services during construction.

Fairfax Virtual Assistant