FROM VA AMERICAN WATER REPRESENTATIVE:
A couple things are happening this month with your water that you may be interested to know:
1. Our supplier, Fairfax Water, has temporarily switched disinfectants
until about August, so you may have noticed recently a stronger chlorine
taste or smell. This is safe and okay, but if you find it too much, the
smell and taste will dissipate if you fill a pitcher and keep it in the
fridge.
2. Next week, we will begin our annual maintenance of water pipes by
flushing the hydrants in the City. This will take us two months. You may see
our staff next to an open hydrant. This once-a-year activity gives us a
chance to flush out sediment and test hydrants. It may make your tap water
appear cloudier - but that's just tiny air bubbles which will settle after a
moment.
3. Our annual water quality report is published and available now at
our website, www.amwater.com/vaaw if you'd like to view it. On the home
page, there is a picture on the right with a link "Water Quality Reports".
We have met all standards and have had no violations.
4. Next week, we will resume work we started last year to replace the
watermain along Henry street. There is a fact sheet at our website on the
project, if you click on the RED Alert Notifications link at the very top.
5. This fall, I believe in October, we will switch to monthly billing.
I think you are quarterly now, so this will help you budget better and alert
you to leaks faster.
That's all I have, and I won't post anything else for a while here - maybe
I'll post a reminder late summer about monthly billing, or if another
project comes up.
If you are on Facebook or Twitter, we are too, and you can keep abreast of
whatever we're doing there, just search on vaamwater. We also have a
bimonthly newsletter you can receive via email. Let me know if you would
like to start receiving it and I'll send you the link to sign up.
Samantha
Samantha Villegas, APR
External Affairs Consultant
Virginia American Water
2223 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
571-577-7477
Alexandria Mom's Calendar of Events
Showing posts with label Water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Water. Show all posts
Friday, April 4, 2014
News and Info from VA American Water
Sunday, October 21, 2012
New Water Bill
FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD LISTSERV:
A. I serve as a citizen member of the Board of the Sanitation Authority (newly renamed Alexandria ReNew Enterprises) and I live in the neighborhood. We all should have received a couple of mailers this summer with information about the new bills and why the water and sewer charges would be billed separately beginning this month. You are correct that the rates have been rising over the years as Alexandria and other jurisdictions have struggled to meet the increasingly stringent regulations put in place to restore the Chesapeake Bay and other waterways to health. Today the Potomac and Chesapeake are cleaner than they've been in years, due in large part to the improvements in wastewater treatement around the region. We have a long way to go, and the trend of environmental legistation and regulation is moving towards more stringent standards over time.
To your question, The Alexandria Renew Enterprises (formerly Alexandria Sanitation Authority) website has some good information on billing:
FAQs/Alexandria Renew Enterprise Billing System
How is my wastewater treatment bill changing?
Beginning in October 2012, Alexandria Renew Enterprises ratepayers will receive a separate bill for wastewater treatment services that will include the City’s sewer collection charges as well. Currently, your wastewater treatment cost is included in your Virginia American Water bill.
Why is the billing system changing?
The new billing system is changing because Virginia American Water informed Alexandria Renew Enterprises late in 2011 that it will no longer provide third-party billing
services. We are hard at work establishing a new billing system that will allow us to provide great customer service to ratepayers while collecting the revenue
needed to provide the services we provide.
What does that mean for me?
You will receive a new bill from Alexandria Renew Enterprises, starting in October 2012. You will no longer see a cost for wastewater or sewage treatment in your Virginia American Water bill. To see a sample of the new bill, click here.
What is Alexandria Renew Enterprises?
Alexandria Renew Enterprises used to be called the Alexandria Sanitation Authority, which was established more than 50 years ago. Things have changed a lot since then. Alexandria
Renew still cleans wastewater, but also is using sustainable ways to save energy, preserve natural resources, and meet tougher water and wastewater laws.
The new name reflects those changes.
When will I first see the new bill?
You’ll receive a new bill in October 2012. In early September, we sent out an informative letter that showed you how your new bill will look.
How often will I get a bill from Alexandria Renew Enterprises?
You will receive future bills at the same frequency as you have received them from Virginia
American Water. If you have a residential account, you will receive a bill each
quarter. If you have a business account, you will receive a bill each month.
Will this have an effect on my rate?
The change in the billing system will not affect your rate. To learn more about your rates, go to http://alexrenew.com/about/new
Do I have to do anything regarding the billing change now?
No actions are needed on your part now.
Will I be able to pay my bill online?
Yes, you will be able to pay your bill online. There will be several ways to pay. Our automatic payment option will allow for your bill will be paid on time, every time, from your checking or savings account. If you’d like to pre-register for automatic payment, go tohttp://alexrenew.com/payments/ and click on the “Enroll in Automatic Payment” button.
When I enrolled to sign up for Automatic Payment, I noticed Cincinnati, Ohio in the web address. Why is that?
In 2012, Alexandria Renew Enterprises contracted with Greater Cincinnati Water Works to provide its billing management service after Virginia American Water announced it will no longer provide third-party billing services. GCWW has decades’ experience and expertise in billing management in the water and wastewater industry. This business solution provides a cost-effective and necessary approach for Alex Renew to collect its revenue.
How can I stay informed about this change?
We will keep you up to date through www.alexrenew.com, Facebook at Alexandria Renew Enterprises, and Twitter at AlexRenewCEO. We will also be sending you information in the
mail and through local advertisement. You can also contact us at 703-549-3381, extension 2204.
Does this mean we’re getting a new sewage service provider?
No. The change is that Virginia American Water will no longer bill you for sewer services. You will receive a separate bill for sewer services from Alexandria Renew Enterprises, formerly the Alexandria Sanitation
Authority.
Will this affect my trash pickup?
No. Alexandria Renew Enterprises (formerly Alexandria Sanitation Authority) does not and never has provided trash pickup. To learn more about trash pickup,
go to http://alexandriava.gov/
What is the City sewage collection fee on my bill?
The City of Alexandria collects fees from ratepayers to help pay for the pipes and sewers the city owns and maintains. This is not a new fee or charge. The fee costs $1.25 per thousand gallons of water used per home or business. It is not prorated through the winter quarter charge.
tom van wagner
Q. Can someone explain to me how the "new" wastewater bill is determined and why my combined water usage bill is now higher than ever? Thank you!
A. I serve as a citizen member of the Board of the Sanitation Authority (newly renamed Alexandria ReNew Enterprises) and I live in the neighborhood. We all should have received a couple of mailers this summer with information about the new bills and why the water and sewer charges would be billed separately beginning this month. You are correct that the rates have been rising over the years as Alexandria and other jurisdictions have struggled to meet the increasingly stringent regulations put in place to restore the Chesapeake Bay and other waterways to health. Today the Potomac and Chesapeake are cleaner than they've been in years, due in large part to the improvements in wastewater treatement around the region. We have a long way to go, and the trend of environmental legistation and regulation is moving towards more stringent standards over time.
To your question, The Alexandria Renew Enterprises (formerly Alexandria Sanitation Authority) website has some good information on billing:
FAQs/Alexandria Renew Enterprise Billing System
How is my wastewater treatment bill changing?
Beginning in October 2012, Alexandria Renew Enterprises ratepayers will receive a separate bill for wastewater treatment services that will include the City’s sewer collection charges as well. Currently, your wastewater treatment cost is included in your Virginia American Water bill.
Why is the billing system changing?
The new billing system is changing because Virginia American Water informed Alexandria Renew Enterprises late in 2011 that it will no longer provide third-party billing
services. We are hard at work establishing a new billing system that will allow us to provide great customer service to ratepayers while collecting the revenue
needed to provide the services we provide.
What does that mean for me?
You will receive a new bill from Alexandria Renew Enterprises, starting in October 2012. You will no longer see a cost for wastewater or sewage treatment in your Virginia American Water bill. To see a sample of the new bill, click here.
What is Alexandria Renew Enterprises?
Alexandria Renew Enterprises used to be called the Alexandria Sanitation Authority, which was established more than 50 years ago. Things have changed a lot since then. Alexandria
Renew still cleans wastewater, but also is using sustainable ways to save energy, preserve natural resources, and meet tougher water and wastewater laws.
The new name reflects those changes.
When will I first see the new bill?
You’ll receive a new bill in October 2012. In early September, we sent out an informative letter that showed you how your new bill will look.
How often will I get a bill from Alexandria Renew Enterprises?
You will receive future bills at the same frequency as you have received them from Virginia
American Water. If you have a residential account, you will receive a bill each
quarter. If you have a business account, you will receive a bill each month.
Will this have an effect on my rate?
The change in the billing system will not affect your rate. To learn more about your rates, go to http://alexrenew.com/about/new
Do I have to do anything regarding the billing change now?
No actions are needed on your part now.
Will I be able to pay my bill online?
Yes, you will be able to pay your bill online. There will be several ways to pay. Our automatic payment option will allow for your bill will be paid on time, every time, from your checking or savings account. If you’d like to pre-register for automatic payment, go tohttp://alexrenew.com/payments/ and click on the “Enroll in Automatic Payment” button.
When I enrolled to sign up for Automatic Payment, I noticed Cincinnati, Ohio in the web address. Why is that?
In 2012, Alexandria Renew Enterprises contracted with Greater Cincinnati Water Works to provide its billing management service after Virginia American Water announced it will no longer provide third-party billing services. GCWW has decades’ experience and expertise in billing management in the water and wastewater industry. This business solution provides a cost-effective and necessary approach for Alex Renew to collect its revenue.
How can I stay informed about this change?
We will keep you up to date through www.alexrenew.com, Facebook at Alexandria Renew Enterprises, and Twitter at AlexRenewCEO. We will also be sending you information in the
mail and through local advertisement. You can also contact us at 703-549-3381, extension 2204.
Does this mean we’re getting a new sewage service provider?
No. The change is that Virginia American Water will no longer bill you for sewer services. You will receive a separate bill for sewer services from Alexandria Renew Enterprises, formerly the Alexandria Sanitation
Authority.
Will this affect my trash pickup?
No. Alexandria Renew Enterprises (formerly Alexandria Sanitation Authority) does not and never has provided trash pickup. To learn more about trash pickup,
go to http://alexandriava.gov/
What is the City sewage collection fee on my bill?
The City of Alexandria collects fees from ratepayers to help pay for the pipes and sewers the city owns and maintains. This is not a new fee or charge. The fee costs $1.25 per thousand gallons of water used per home or business. It is not prorated through the winter quarter charge.
tom van wagner
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Public Hearing on Northern Virginia Regional Water Supply Plan
Highlights:
· City of Alexandria joins 21 communities in Northern Virginia to develop regional Water Supply Plan
· Public hearing to be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012
More Information:
The City of Alexandria recently joined 21 communities in the Northern Virginia area to develop a regional Water Supply Plan. Local municipalities partnered with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission in developing a comprehensive plan, with detailed input and feedback from each community and jurisdiction.
The plan includes information about water sources, data on water use, water resource conditions, water management actions, analysis of alternatives and drought/contingency plans in the event of water deficits. The plan also includes water demand projections through 2040 and an assessment of water supply to meet these demands. The development of a Water Supply Plan is mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia and a draft plan was submitted to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on November 2, 2011.
As part of the public outreach process each jurisdiction will hold a public hearing to receive additional comments and feedback from residents. A public hearing on the Water Supply Plan will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. in City Hall, 301 King Street, Council Chambers.
Residents may submit written comments to the T&ES Engineering Division:
Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES)
Engineering Division
City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 3200
Attention: Maurice Daly, Division Chief
Residents may submit written comments to the T&ES Engineering Division:
Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES)
Engineering Division
City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 3200
Attention: Maurice Daly, Division Chief
For more information or to view the Water Supply Plan, visit http://alexandriava.gov/
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