Water Quality: Update for the Glenmore Community

From the Albemarle County Service Authority

This is the third general e-mail update provided to the entire community regarding the mineral sediment issue that began more than two years ago. Previous releases were dated February 19, 2023 and May 4, 2023. In addition, a community meeting was held at the Country Club on December 12, 2023, and I have provided a few separate e-mail updates to those residents experiencing the sediment.

1 Survey 



I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the 279 of you who participated in the survey. This was 30% of the community, which the ACSA sees as a significant success. Let me assure you again that your information will be held in strict confidence.

A great deal of information will be summarized here. A total of 58 residents (21%) who took the survey stated they had seen sediment (either “as pictured” or “other than as pictured”). I contacted by e-mail every resident of the 58 who were not on my “confirmed mineral sediment” list. In my e-mail, I provided additional pictures of the sediment. I did not hear back from some, but the vast majority of those who responded were not seeing this material. A few had experienced a “dirty water” event, one had seen white scale on a water heater element, but most had seen the internal mold growth in toilets, shower heads, or at sink faucets. This is a completely separate issue from the mineral sediment (fluorapatite).

In summary, as a result of the survey, only three (3) additional residents were added to my “confirmed” list and seven (7) were placed on an “unconfirmed” list. With an additional phone call I received in just the past two weeks, my “confirmed” list is currently 42 residents. One key intent of the survey was to make sure there was not a significant number of additional residents experiencing the problem but who had not called to alert the ACSA.

The additional information from the survey was also helpful. The one item that stood out to us was the use of hot water recirculation. Of those who completed the survey, I now know that every resident on my confirmed sediment list except one also uses hot water recirculation. In other words, while recirculation is not the cause of the problem, it appears to be an added factor in who experiences the sediment. That being said, there are many Glenmore residents using recirculation who have not seen the sediment, and possibly a temperature difference in these systems exists as another layer. Somewhat interestingly, 75 residents (27% who took the survey) did not know if they used hot water recirculation.

Here are a few additional interesting facts from the survey:

1.     How you heat your water:

1.     LP gas with tank – 42%

2.     LP gas, tankless/on demand – 24%

3.     Electric with tank – 27%

4.     Electric, tankless/on demand – 6%

5.     Other – 1%

Comment: There is no correlation between heater type and appearance of the mineral sediment.

2.     How often you drain/clean your water heater:

1.     Never – 66%

2.     Every 2 years or more – 17%

3.     Annually – 14%

4.     Every six months or less – 3%

Comment: Apart from this particular sediment issue, this has shown me that the ACSA needs to do a better job of educating our customers on the importance of draining/cleaning your water heater at least annually. This is stated in the maintenance section of any water heater booklet.

3.     Whether you have a whole-house filter:

1.     Yes – 11%

2.     No – 72%

3.     I don’t know – 17%

Comment: While a whole-house filter provides added protection against a possible “dirty water” event at the road, it does nothing to prevent the mineral sediment from possibly forming in your water heater. Although this is certainly your decision, we do not recommend that you install a whole-house filter. 

4.     Whether you have an irrigation system:

1.     Yes – 46%

2.     No – 53%

3.     I don’t know – 1%

Comment: The use of irrigation water in the community, in general, is helpful in moving more water and thus helping to reduce “water age” but those without irrigation systems are certainly not at a disadvantage or more apt to see the mineral sediment.

2 Additional Updates

1.     In-Home Testing – Four (4) consecutive weeks of in-home testing concluded in the week of April 29. I am very grateful to the residents of eight homes for allowing Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) personnel and me to collect samples. The homes were selected based upon whether mineral sediment had been observed or not, and whether the homeowners used hot water recirculation or not (four possible combinations). The results are still being compiled by the RWSA, but I should receive them soon. As with the surveys, this should provide us with additional information to better understand the problem.

2.     Bench-Top Testing of Corrosion Control Treatment Products – Cornwell Engineering Group, the consultant serving the RWSA, is performing a several-month laboratory study by exposing ductile iron pipe to various corrosion control products. Specifically, the intent is to determine the best product that will reduce the rise in pH of the water as it travels through such pipes without causing other unintended consequences. Products with and without zinc are being studied. This testing began in late February and is anticipated to require some 5-6 months.

3.     Mineral Sediment Experienced in Farmington – Beginning late in 2023, a few residents in Farmington, and the general Ivy area, began experiencing the mineral sediment. Testing has shown it is the identical composition of material (fluorapatite) as seen by Glenmore residents. The common factors of the two communities are the long path of the water from the South Rivanna treatment plant, the elevated (alkaline) pH of the water within the community, large homes with extensive plumbing, and the use of hot water recirculation systems.

4.     ACSA Board of Directors – Director of Engineering Jeremy Lynn and I delivered a detailed summary and update to the ACSA Board at their monthly meeting on April 18, 2024. 

5.     Flushing from the Glenmore Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) – Daily flushing of water from the WWTP this past winter simulated summertime water use in the community that includes irrigation. This helped to keep pH values lower and reduce sediment issues. Now that irrigation usage has begun for 2024, we will slowly step back on the daily flushing volume.

We apologize again for the inconvenience this has brought to certain customers. I personally wish to thank everyone with whom I have spoken and visited for your understanding and patience during this difficult time.

Thank you.

Tim Brown

Environmental Compliance Specialist

Albemarle County Service Authority

phone: 434-977-4511x119

email:  tbrown@serviceauthority.org