Henrico supervisors set hearing on resolution to fund lead, copper pipe replacement

The Henrico Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at its Nov. 28 meeting to vote on a resolution to authorize as much as $500,000 in bonds to help pay to inventory all water lines with lead or copper pipes and replace them, as required by revised EPA regulations. The rest of the funding for the project will come from a $298,680 grant and a $451,320, 20-year, 1% interest loan from the Virginia Department of Health.

In response to a question from Fairfield Supervisor Frank Thornton, Henrico Director of Public Utilities Bentley Chan explained that the project will cover the county’s entire water system, including individual homeowners’ water lines, as a preemptive safety measure.

“Under certain conditions, though not conditions currently within the county, the water can be corrosive and acidic and leach those materials into the drinking water supply,” Chan said. “This project will continue to ensure the county’s water remains of a very high quality for residents.”

Tuckahoe Supervisor Pat O’Bannon noted that she had found copper water pipes leading to her home as part of a survey conducted by the county. Henrico residents can find information about how to test their water lines on the county’s website and can take the county’s survey there as well, Chan said.

“I do want to assure everyone that the water we take in from the James River is not acidic or corrosive,” he said. “We treat it properly. This project is just an added benefit.”

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The board also approved a resolution to transfer two pieces of surplus county land at 1706 and 1708 Eden Avenue and $194,467 to the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust to be used to build four single-family homes. The homes will then be sold to qualified buyers as part as part of the Trust's work to develop and steward permanently affordable housing opportunities that foster racially equitable communities in the metropolitan Richmond area. Community Revitalization Director Eric Leabough noted that this was the property donated to Henrico County, along with $100,000, by longtime County employee Charles Foldesi towards affordable housing in Henrico.

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The board also awarded a $1,489,000 contract to the Virtexco Corporation to partially demolish and renovate Regional Jail West, located on East Parham Road. The project will focus on the kitchen, secure lobby, detention shower room, and booking area and will also bring the facility into line with the 2018 Virginia building code. Virtexco was one of two bids and was determined to be the lowest cost responsive bidder.

Additionally, the board appointed several community members to county boards and commissions, including:
• Reverend Marvin Gilliam IV from the Varina District to the Community Criminal Justice Board, which advises and assists the county’s criminal justice agencies.

• Travis J. Pearson from the Three Chopt District and Samuel Bagley from the Varina District to the Henrico Economic Development Authority’s Board of Directors. The authority attempts to attract new business and investment to the area along with retaining existing businesses.

• Gordon Dixon to the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization’s Community Transportation Advisory Committee, which advises the organization as it attempts to ensure regional cooperation in transportation planning.