A Brief History of Our System

When Tauxemont was established in 1941 there was no public water or sanitary services available in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County, so a source was needed in order to provide water to the founding families.

The first TCA well (‘Tauxemont’) was installed that same year to provide water to those first twenty houses built on Tauxemont Road, known as ‘Section I’. When Section II of Tauxemont was developed in 1942, a second well (‘Shenandoah’) was installed on Shenandoah Road. When Tauxemont Section III was built in 1946, a third well (‘Gahant’) was completed on Gahant Road. These well sites initially pumped water to their respective sections of the community, before the three distribution systems were interconnected in the early 1950s so that a single pump could supply the total Tauxemont connections as needed. The original ‘Tauxemont’ and ‘Shenandoah’ wells were replaced (in 1955, and 1968 & 2015 res.). All three well sites continue to be operational today.

In the late 1960’s, Fairfax County attempted to incorporate all private water systems into a county-wide system. Unlike other communities, TCA was an established entity operating it’s system. After deliberation, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors ultimately voted to preserve Tauxemont’s community-owned and operated water system. Tauxemont was fortunate to have retained its rights as an independent, private system, and Tauxemonters are still enjoying our excellent water today.

The Source of Our Water

Tauxemont’s water is drawn from a large, eastern regional aquifer. Specifically, Tauxemont is located above a river sediment (Potomac River) portion of the Coastal Plain Sediment slope that begins east of I-95 and extends to the edge of the Continental Shelf in the Atlantic Ocean. Over millions of years this Coastal Plain Sediment layer - considered ideal for well water extraction due to its composition of course-ground sand - has become a huge reservoir for fresh water. Because the age of the water at this level and region is thousands of years old, it is very pure, naturally soft (low in mineral content), requires minimal chemical additives, and tastes great.

System Details and Oversight

TCA owns and operates its water system under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH), which implements standards in compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s drinking water standards. The DEQ permit for groundwater withdrawal is complemented by the public water supply permit (drinking water) from the VDH.

Note: TCA’s DEQ permit to withdraw water from the Potomac Aquifer will expire in mid-2027 and will not be renewed due to the continuing depletion of the aquifer. The association is currently in the process of reviewing the process of a transition to Fairfax Water Authority in order to fulfill DEQ’s requirement that TCA secure an alternative source of water supply to Tauxemont Water users at the expiration of the permit. The result of this transition may increase or decrease the cost of water service to Tauxemont Water customers.

The Tauxemont water system consists of three wells interconnected in two major loops, with three spurs, totaling approximately 8,600 feet of water mains and distribution pipes. At each of its three deep well sites -Tauxemont, Shenandoah, and Gahant - water is pumped into tanks where pressure is maintained by pumping air into the tank. In addition to the well sites, the system includes the well tanks and pumps, the main pipelines, water-main taps, and outdoor shut-off valves. TCA has 117 connections that include: the residences of Tauxemont, the community house owned by TCA, the tennis court site owned by TCA, and eight residential properties located adjacent to, but outside of, the Tauxemont boundaries on Alexandria Avenue and Cameron Road. Per TCA’s Virginia state permit, no additional service connections to the TCA water system are permitted.

TCA operates the water system with a Licensed Operator, holding a Class VI Operator License by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations, who acts on behalf of TCA to assure compliance with State and Federal rules and regulations for drinking water (failure to do so can result in the loss of TCA’s drinking water permit). Supported by a community stockholder water committee led by a Chairperson appointed by the TCA Board, the Licensed Operator is directed by TCA to maintain the water system with the committee members’ services. The Licensed Operator provides monthly reports to the the Board, produces an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) on Drinking Water Quality as required by VDH Office of Drinking Water (link to current report below), reports test results, submits data reflecting the amounts of water pumped by the wells to the Virginia Department of Health, and provides water engineering consultation.

The Water Committee Chairperson manages and administers the water system and regularly reports to the Board regarding the general operation of the water system. Water Committee members conduct routine monitoring of water quality, wells, pumps, water main lines, and tanks in accordance with health standards set by the state of Virginia. This monitoring includes weekly checks of the wells and pumps, monthly collection of water samples that are sent to a Fairfax County Health Department laboratory for analysis*, and quarterly flushing of the system. The Licensed Operator and Water Committee make recommendations to the TCA Board of Directors and stockholders on repairs, replacements, and upgrades to the system in order to continue to meet drinking water standards, maintain a safe and operational system, and conserve this valuable resource.

* The water is tested monthly for chemical and bacteriological contamination, and the results are monitored by the Virginia Office of Water Programs, Department of Health. As a public water supply, the water system is required to comply with stringent chemical and bacteriological quality standards contained in state and federal drinking water regulations. Drinking water may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants but the presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.

Every three years, the State laboratory in Richmond tests our water for metals, radiological, and inorganic matter as required by the Virginia Waterworks Regulations. The Virginia Division of Water Supply Engineering also inspects pump facilities every three years. Additionally, TCA completes thorough analyses of our water system on a recurring basis, including studies of the aquifer from which we draw our water. These studies are available by request to waterworks customers interested in learning more.

All members of the water committee operate the TCA water system on a volunteer basis. The Licensed Operator is an independent water engineering contractor. Their dedication to keeping the system safe and operational - along with TCA stockholders’ continued investment in the effective operation of the TCA waterworks system - is critical to the long-term delivery of safe, great-tasting drinking water to the community.

Lead Service Line Inventory

As required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in accordance with the process (view process guidelines here) overseen by Virginia’s Office of Drinking Water (ODW), it has been determined that Tauxemont Water meets LSLI/inventory requirements (View ODW Inventory Acceptance Letter here), with service lines distributing water from the main water pipes to all connected properties classified as ‘non-lead’ (i.e., copper, plastic or galvanized, and not requiring replacement).

connection

Meeting ‘Real-Time Demand’ Together

TCA and Tauxemont community members work together to understand, protect, and manage our water production, and all water users’ conservation efforts are critical in helping TCA meet that need.

Water users are expected to fulfill their responsibilities as customers (see below) and adhere to guidelines for conservation and efficiency (go to the Water Conservation page) in order to help TCA meet real-time demand for water supply, avoid water events that would impact the entire community and allow us to remain within our legal water withdrawal limits. As with other aspects of our unique community, TCA welcomes dialogue with water users’ in order to ensure that our water supply remains safe and accessible.

Water Service Fee

The Tauxemont Community and Water Service Fee - beginning July 1, 2024 and billed annually thereafter on the first of July for service from July 1 through June 30 - is $750.00.

Fees not paid within 30 days of the due date will be assessed a late fee, as outlined below.

Policy on Late Payment of Water Service Fee

This policy applies to all customers (including TCA stockholders and their tenants, and homeowners outside of the boundaries of the Tauxemont subdivision and their tenants) who receive TCA services. TCA considers stockholders and homeowners to be ultimately responsible for the financial obligations of their tenants owed for TCA services.

Definition of Delinquency: TCA service fees are billed annually, on the first of July. Payment is due on the 30th day of the month billed. Fees not paid by the due date are delinquent. Fees not paid in full within thirty (30) days after the due date will be assessed a late charge of five percent (5%) of the total outstanding balance on the due date that will be added to the balance due on the water user’s account. 

Notification of Disconnection of Service: Prior to termination of service, a delinquent stockholder or homeowner will receive a written disconnect notice. For a past due tenant account, written notice will be mailed to the tenant, and a copy of the bill and disconnect notice will also be mailed to the stockholder or homeowner. The written disconnect notice will inform the stockholder or homeowner and tenant (if applicable) that their account is delinquent, and that the outstanding balance, including late charges and any other costs, must be paid in full within thirty (30) days of the date of the disconnect notice to avoid disconnection of service to their home. If payment is not received by TCA within thirty (30) days of the date indicated on the disconnect notice, the TCA Board of Directors may direct that service to the home be disconnected. 

Restoration of Service: In order to have service restored to the home, the account balance, including late charges, other costs incurred and a $100 reconnection fee, must be paid in full. Reconnection of service will occur during the typical business hours of Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If a customer’s service is disconnected and the account remains unpaid, fees and late charges will continue to accrue. Service will not be restored until the balance of the account is paid in full. 

Customers experiencing a financial hardship or other circumstances preventing them from making timely payment of fees should contact TCA immediately to discuss the matter. Any alternative payment arrangements may include the assessment of late charges and must be approved by the TCA Board of Directors.

For TCA Stockholders Only - Requirements of TCA By-Laws: Section II, Article 4 of the TCA By-Laws prohibits any stockholder from voting at any meeting of the Association or be elected to serve on the Board of Directors if any financial obligation by such stockholder to TCA is delinquent more than sixty (60) days. TCA may terminate all services, including water service, to a stockholder if any financial obligation to TCA is delinquent more than sixty (60) days. A new stock certificate shall not be issued to the purchaser of any house and lot, nor shall such purchaser use the facilities and services until all amounts due TCA by the seller(s) of said house and lot, or any tenant, have been paid in full to TCA.

Water Customers’ Responsibilities

1. Water Conservation

Conserving water year-round is every water users’ responsibility. Please go to Water Conservation on this website for complete guidelines.

2. Contamination Prevention

As a public utility, Tauxemont is legally required to comply with the Virginia Department of Health’s Waterworks Regulations by establishing a cross-connection and back flow prevention control program with each waterworks user. This program is designed to minimize health risks by preventing contamination of our drinking water. To comply, waterworks customers are required to complete a “TCA Cross-Connection and Backflow Prevention Form” every three years (2015, 2018, 2021, etc.) at the request of the Water Committee (schedule of form distribution to be determined per year).

3. Knowing your Home’s Shut-Off Valve Locations

All Tauxemont properties were built with interior and exterior shut-off valves. Tauxemont homeowners and water customers must know the location of both the interior house shut-off and the outside water shut-off valves on their property.

The outside water shut-off valve is buried on the property’s service line, near the main line, and is accessible through a capped metal pipe. It may be found in the front or back yard, depending on the property location. The Water Committee has painted the caps BLUE for easy identification (if not, the caps will be rust-colored) and also installed rebar spikes with a yellow ‘Tauxemont Water’ cap on it where possible. Property owners are responsible for keeping their outside shut-off valves visible, accessible, clean and clear of debris. Neither property owners, their tenants, or service providers engaged by the owner or tenant are permitted to turn off the outside water shut-off valve; this valve is the property of TCA and may only be turned on and off by a member of the Water Committee.

One tap (water service line from main to house) per customer is allowed. TCA owns the outside tap and shut-off valve; the individual homeowner owns all parts between the shut-off valve and the home. Individual service lines are owned by the homeowner and, as such, maintenance and/or replacement are the owner’s financial responsibility, to be contracted and paid by the property owner in the event of a service line break or leak.

Interior water shut-off valve locations vary depending on property location (Area I, II, or III North and South) and home style, and/or whether the home has been renovated. For instance, some homes may have interior shut-off valves located in crawl spaces or basement levels, and some have interior shut-off valves located adjacent to their washing machine hook-up. If your home has been renovated from the original structure and the valve is not visible or behind an access panel, you should contact a plumbing contractor to locate or install one so that your household water can be turned off in the case of an emergency.

4. Reporting Problems

For possible water line or water main breaks, notify your Area Rep or a Water Committee member immediately (or email TCA at tauxemontcommunityassociation@gmail.com). In the event of a major service line break or frozen water pipes, TCA will work to keep service disruption to a minimum while complying with VDH standards.

5. Construction-related Requirements and Pre-Construction Notification

Notice: effective September 2024, the installation of a water meter compliant with Fairfax Water Authority regulations is required for all new construction where at least 75% of the primary residence is razed. Please note that property owners’ water service will continue to be provided by Tauxemont Water unless notification of service connection change is provided by the property owner to TCA.

Notify the TCA Board and/or Water Committee Chairman in advance of any construction, demolition, digging, or other activities. A water committee member will identify the location of the water pipes on or near your property and assess impact on the water system to ensure that no damage impairs the system’s operations. Homeowners must also notify Miss Utility (call 811) before digging.

Homeowners are responsible for turning off their water supply from Tauxemont before doing plumbing or pipe maintenance, and for knowing where the water shut off valves are located (see Item 3). However, neither homeowners nor service people engaged by the homeowner are permitted to turn off the outside water shutoff valve connection to the TCA water system. This valve is the property of TCA and may only be turned on and off by a member of the water committee. Please contact the water committee for assistance.

6. Swimming Pools & Irrigation Systems

Notice: effective September 22, 2019, the Board of Directors of Tauxemont Community Association adopted a policy prohibiting the use of Tauxemont water to supply in-ground, automatic sprinkler systems not installed and operational as of September 22, 2019. Please go to ‘Water Users’ Conservation Responsibilities’ on the Water Conservation page for complete guidelines on swimming pools and irrigation systems.

7. Additional Filtration

Filtration systems may be installed in the home to meet discretionary, personal standards for water taste, clarity, and mineral content. Reference material is available from the EPA at www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/pdfs/fs_healthseries_filtration.pdf.

8. Preventive Maintenance

It is suggested that homeowners flush hot water heaters annually as general maintenance in order to remove accumulated sediment.

9. Homeowners Insurance

The TCA Board is not the insurer of the homeowner’s property. Any flooding from burst pipes, water heater leaks, or back-ups in plumbing - and the associated water damage to a home - is solely the responsibility of the homeowner. Many standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover water damage, so check with your provider to assure that you have adequate coverage.

10. Funding

Every TCA member is a stockholder in the corporation and pays an Annual Community and Water Service Fee. This fee includes water usage, contribution to a capital replacement reserve fund for the water system and other community property, and general operating expenses for the corporation. The current fee for Community and Water Service is $600.00, billed annually.

11. Participation in Community Decision-Making

Every TCA stockholder has the opportunity and responsibility to participate in the Annual Meeting of the Corporation during which critical information is presented and discussed, and decisions are made regarding TCA’s assets management, including the water system. In your absence at this meeting, a proxy with full capacity to act on your behalf is required for a voting quorum. Between meetings, the TCA Board welcomes input from stockholders regarding the water system or other activities in and around Tauxemont.

12. Volunteering

TCA’s Water System is run by community stockholder volunteers, most of whom have given years of dedicated service to help keep our system safe and operational. New committee members are always needed and welcome to help TCA ensure the continued enjoyment of our water!

13. Water Quality Issues

Water users have a right to water meeting the quality standards established by the Virginia Department of Health (an annual water report is provided as required by law). If customers have a water quality question, problem, or complaint please contact the TCA Board or a Water Committee Representative for assistance. If a waterworks customer wishes to elevate an issue regarding water quality, they may contact VDH Office of Water’s regional office in Culpeper, VA (go to http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/drinking-water/contact-us/ for information).

In the event of a water quality breach, affected water users will be notified in accordance to VDH requirements.

Water Problems, Emergencies, and Drought Conditions

Water problems can range from common issues to emergencies caused by power failures, water main breaks, critical equipment failures which disrupt the distribution of water, and drought. TCA has developed responses to these various emergencies, as outlined below.

A. At Your Home

Decrease in water pressure

If water pressure to your home decreases, contact your Area Rep or a member of the Water Committee. If it’s determined that pressure loss is not the result of a community water main/well problem, then there may be a leak, break, or clog in the homeowner’s service line (some Tauxemont lines are more than sixty years old), or the water shut-of valve inside their home may not be fully open. Water users will be notified of any anticipated water pressure reductions due to water works maintenance.

Note: TCA does not wish to impinge upon a homeowner’s privacy. In the event of a water emergency on your property, the TCA Board and Water Committee shall limit their actions to only those necessary. For example, if the pipe from TCA’s main to the house breaks, resulting in flooding, a water committee member may turn off the water at the roadside shutoff valve. Water committee members will never enter a home without permission.

Discoloration of water

If discoloration appears after one of our quarterly water system flushings, running your water until it clears should fix the problem. If discoloration is not the result of system flushing, contact the Water Committee to report the problem. (See FAQs below for additional information)

B. Community-Wide Emergencies

TCA owns a power generator to operate the water system in times of emergency. The generator helps bring the system back on line if the pumps are shut down by a power outage.

During an electrical outage, members are asked to abstain from flushing toilets, doing laundry, washing dishes, using sprinklers or running water in the sink, bathtub, or shower. If the power loss is community-wide, the water committee will hook up the emergency power generator to one of the three wells, thereby restoring service quickly. A power outage to your home could, but doesn’t necessarily, mean an outage to the pumps; our pumps are connected via dedicated lines suspended from a number of dame poles. Please contact Dominion Virginia Power as soon as an outage occurs.

C. County or State Emergencies

Although TCA is independent and our water system is not connected to any public waterways, we must abide by any county-, state-, or federally-mandated water emergency procedures or regulations requiring reducing usage and conserving, consistent with county and state announcements.

D. Responses to Drought in Virginia

TCA recognizes that an area-wide drought affects all water sources, including our own aquifer.

Drought monitoring, evaluation and response in the Commonwealth of Virginia are guided by the Virginia Drought Assessment and Response Plan and the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force (DMTF), an interagency group responsible for monitoring drought conditions and making recommendations for Drought Stage declarations (each Drought Stage involves a list of response activities that are generally initiated when a specific Drought Stage declaration is made).

Detailed information about each Drought Stage and the water restrictions that take effect in the case of a drought emergency can be found on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) website at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/water-quantity/drought/drought-responses.

Although the decision to ration water is made by the TCA Board, the Virginia Drought Coordinator would work closely with us to assure that all available State resources are effectively used to support highly stressed water supply systems. In such a circumstance, our Board and Licensed Operator would work closely with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), which will coordinate the Commonwealth’s response and assistance to all similar entities. During emergencies TCA will rely on the Virginia news media to provide us with up to date information on the various stages of the drought.

NOTE: It is possible that our aquifer could run dry in a prolonged drought. Before it runs dry it would be drawn down to a point where the wells’ production is seriously reduced. TCA’s pump depth allowances are set by VA DEQ and the EPA based on their monitoring of the long-range health of the aquifer.

Emergency Preparedness

In the event of an emergency or disaster, clean drinking water may not be available due to being cut-off or compromised through contamination. Prepare yourself by building a supply of water that will meet your family’s needs during an emergency. For more information visit www.ready.gov/water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Tauxemont water fluoridated?

A: No. You can add fluoride drops to your personal drinking water if you desire, or need, to have fluoridated water.

Q: Why is my water sometimes cloudy?

A: Air bubbles, caused by water pressure, can cause water to appear cloudy at times. This is harmless and usually clears up, from the bottom up in your glass, within seconds or minutes. During extended drought conditions, excessive lawn watering by users on Tauxemont’s system and by other users of the aquifer can reduce the water level and recharge rate of one or more of our wells so that our system is drawing air with the water. This is under pressure in our system, which means the air stays in the solution until released at the tap, and then takes a few minutes to be released as gas from the water. Also see USGS ‘Why is my Drinking Water Cloudy'?’

Q: How will you alert me if my water is not safe to drink due to a water system problem or emergency?

A: The Water Committee and TCA Board does its best to provide accurate status reports about water safety in the event of a system problem or water emergency. Communicating safety status is done a number of ways depending on the situation, including posting to our social media network (NextdoorTauxemont), emails, phone calls or texts via a phone tree, word-of-mouth, and/or hand-delivered notices. Non-emergency status reports are shared in our monthly community newsletter and/or via social media.

Q: Why can’t I locate my property’s shut-off valves?

A: Home renovations may have changed its location or made it hard to reach the internal valve. The most common reason for hidden external valves is inadvertent burial due to building or landscaping, and unchecked growth of trees and shrubs. Look for a blue-painted valve cap (if not blue it will be rust colored) and/or a rebar spike with a yellow ‘Tauxemont Water’ cap on top. See Item 3 under ‘Water Customers’ Responsibilities’ above.

Q: Why is my drinking water discolored?

A: Water main breaks, and extremely high system demand, can increase the velocity at which water travels through water mains. If the water’s speed becomes great enough, iron and manganese oxide sediment lying on the bottom of the mains may get stirred up, resulting in discolored water.

Q: Is discolored water from these activities safe to drink?

A: Discolored water caused by iron and manganese oxide sediment is safe to drink. During such discolored water episodes, your water continues to meet all State and federal drinking water standards for public health and safety.

Q: What should I do if my drinking water be comes discolored?

A: Avoid using your washing machine and dishwasher until the water clears. Flush the pipes in your home by using the following procedure:

1. Run the outside front house faucet at full force for a few minutes or until water clears. If water does not clear wait one hour and repeat the process.

2. Flush the cold water facuets in your home, starting with the bathtub. If wasting water is a concern, run water from the back yard house faucet for several minutes or until water clears.

3. After the bathtub or back yard faucet runs clear, flush all other cold water household faucets, starting from the front of the home (side nearest the street) through the back.

4. If necessary remove faucet aerators, clear of any particles, and reinstall.

After flushing my pipes, my cold water runs clear but my hot water is still discolored - what should I do?

If discolored water has been drawn into the hot water system, the hot water can continue to be used until the discoloration dissipates and is no longer an aestheric issue. This is generally preferred to draining and refilling the water heater which may require the assistance of a plumber.

Additional Resources

As a small waterworks, TCA relies on - and works in cooperation with - partner agencies and organizations similar to our own an an effort to learn and stay current, and we encourage all waterworks customers to learn more about our water.

VA Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ): www.deq.virginia.gov

DEQ’s Drought Stages: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/water/water-quantity/drought/drought-responses

Virginia Dept. of Health (VDH) Office of Drinking Water: www.vdh.virginia.gov/drinking-water/

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water

EPA’s WaterSense Program: www.epa.gov/watersense

Virginia Rural Water Association: www.vrwa.org

Virginia Cooperative Extension (creating a Water-Wise landscape): www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-713/426-713.html

Fairfax County (harvesting water in barrels): www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/rain-barrel

Ridge Utilities (small, community water system similar to TCA’s): www.ridgeutilities.com

American Water Works Association: www.drinktap.org

Go to the Water Conservation page of this website for additional conservation resources.