$33 Million Development to Bring Sewer Service
to West-Central Portion of Washington County
ABINGDON, Va. — State, regional and local officials joined Washington County Service Authority (WCSA) leaders and employees Tuesday for a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the beginning of the Lee Highway Corridor Sewer Expansion Project. The event was held at the Oak Park Center for Business and Industry, located off Lee Highway between Exits 10 and 13 in Abingdon, Virginia.
Construction on phase one of the project began in November 2023 and represents a $33 million investment that is being funded by USDA Rural Development, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Washington County, Virginia, and WCSA. Grant monies for the project total nearly $21 million.
Scheduled for completion by February 2025, the expansion will bring much-needed sewer treatment capacity to the west-central portion of Washington County.
“We are excited to observe the start of this project as we move forward with installing a county-operated public sewer system to serve residents and businesses along Lee Highway between Exit 13 and the city of Bristol,” says Ron Seay, acting general manager of WCSA. “This expansion will provide public sewer to approximately 140 residential and commercial customers who are currently serviced by existing septic tank systems, and it will provide the initial backbone infrastructure for future sewer connections for more than 800 additional residential and commercial users, including many who have expressed interest in sewer service due to failing septic systems.”
Phase one of the project includes the installation of four sewer pumping stations, approximately 41,220 linear feet of sewer force main line, 32,221 linear feet of gravity sewer line and 150 sewer manholes. The project was primarily designed by Thompson & Litton and CHA Consulting.
“This project is a key step in WCSA’s commitment to meet the growing needs of our community,” says David Campbell, chairman of WCSA’s Board of Commissioners. “This expansion not only enhances our infrastructure but also reflects our dedication to providing reliable, high-quality water and wastewater treatment services to more customers.”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, most septic systems malfunction due to inappropriate design or poor maintenance. While the lifespan of a septic system depends on several factors, the cost to repair or replace a malfunctioning system can range between $5,000 and $15,000 for a conventional system.
“A sewer system creates more buildable lots and extends the amount of usable land on the property owner’s tract, making it more attractive for resale,” says Perry Hickman, Virginia state director, USDA Rural Development. “It also improves water quality in nearby streams and offers peace of mind in operating on a worry-free system.”