Protecting the Watershed: Inside Prince William Water's Fall 2026 Pipeline

The Fall 2026 edition of Prince William Water’s Pipeline highlights regional watershed stewardship, water quality testing, major infrastructure milestones, and long-term capacity planning across Prince William County.

Click here to view Prince William Water's Fall 2026 Quarterly Newsletter.

Watershed Protection and Shared Water Resources

Prince William County sits within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, relying on multi-agency collaboration to manage drinking water and wastewater cycles. Wholesale providers Fairfax Water and the City of Manassas treat and monitor drinking water drawn from the Potomac River and Lake Manassas for western county residents, while eastern residents receive water sourced from the Occoquan Reservoir. Wastewater reclamation is divided between the Upper Occoquan Service Authority, which releases treated effluent back into the Occoquan Reservoir, and Prince William Water, which treats eastern county wastewater and discharges clean effluent into Neabsco Creek on its path toward the Chesapeake Bay. Shoreline protection and stormwater oversight are coordinated alongside Prince William County Government.

Dedicated Testing and Public Health Safeguards

Prince William Water’s Environmental Technicians conduct extensive monitoring to maintain compliance with federal and state regulations, including the Lead and Copper Rule, Ground Water Rule, and Revised Total Coliform Rule. The team completes more than 7,600 regulatory compliance tests annually and conducts over 14,000 supplemental operational tests each year to track system conditions. Technicians also remain on call around the clock to provide emergency testing during pressure losses or sewer overflows.

National Recognition for the H.L. Mooney Facility

The H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility in Woodbridge achieved a rare benchmark by receiving the Platinum 17 Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. The distinction honors 17 consecutive years of 100 percent compliance with discharge permits. Out of more than 17,500 publicly owned wastewater plants nationwide, only 66 facilities have earned this 17-year milestone, placing the plant in the top 1 percent across the country and directly aiding ongoing water quality improvements in the Chesapeake Bay.

Future Capacity and Community Outreach

To address local growth and inquiries regarding high-volume users such as data centers, Prince William Water confirmed that current supply models meet projected demands through 2050 under the Prince William County Comprehensive Plan. The utility reviews incoming development proposals routinely and maintains agreements to purchase additional supply from Fairfax Water as necessary. Alongside long-range planning, community initiatives continue through the H2Go Kids education program, which promotes household conservation and proper drain disposal habits.