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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 the City's wastewater utility rate increases in consecutive fiscal years.

On May 6, 2025, the City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-02, increasing wastewater rates by 6.0% for FY26, with the staff report identifying the City's Cole Plant capacity obligations as a primary cost factor. On May 5, 2026, the Council again unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-05, enacting another 6.0% rate increase, this time citing both the City's capacity share and the plant's need for major capital upgrades driven by federal regulations and aging infrastructure.

Still open

  • Whether further rate increases will be required in future fiscal years as capital upgrades at the Noman M. Cole plant proceed.
  • The scope, timeline, and total cost of the capital upgrades required at the plant due to federal regulations and aging infrastructure.

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