Fairfax Water to Falls Church: Let's Merge, Lower Rates to Customers

The Fairfax County Water Authority has proposed to the Falls Church Water Authority --- proposed a merger of the two systems to lower costs to customers many of whom live in McLean.

Charles Murray, general manager of  Fairfax Water sent a six-page letter to Falls Church city manager Wyatt Shields Tuesday saying  Falls Church customers, 90 percent of whom live in Fairfax County, pay an average of $86.50 quarterly compared to the average Fairfax bill of 57.31 quarterly. Fairfax rates will increase April 1 to an average of $60.19 quarterly, Murray wrote.

Fairfax Water also offered Falls Church a seat on its board of director. It is unclear whether any money would change hands as part of a merger.

The merger proposal is the latest development in a year-long water war between the two jurisdictions, that might be coming to an end.

Wyatt Shields, city manager for the City of Falls Church confirmed receipt of the Fairfax Water response.

The City of Falls Church City Council voted unanimously Feb. 13 to send out a "Request for Expressions of Interest" to see if public or private utility companies would be interested in buying the Falls Church water system. The deadline for proposals is March 2.

“We look forward to reviewing it along with the other responses that we receive, as the city council evaluates preferred options for the future of the city's water and sanitary sewer systems," Shields said in a statement Thursday. The City isn't releasing any information about other offers it may have received.

Dranesville Supervisor John Foust said, "I was pleased to see that Fairfax Water proposed a merger with Falls Church Water. . .  A merger would create significant cost and reliability of service benefits for customers of both systems. . .  I encourage the parties to pursue the proposal and come to a mutually beneficial resolution."

Foust suggested in July 2011 that Fairfax County buy the Falls Church water authority largely because of the higher rates paid by county residents. Falls Church water charge city and county residents the same rate. That rate is simply nearly $30 higher than the county rate.

Rob Jackson, president of the McLean Citizens Association, which has long complained of higher rates charged McLean residents because they are served by Falls Church said: "The MCA is of the opinion that a merger between the two systems is the best solution for everyone. . . I cannot imagine the MCA would support the sale of the water operations to a private, for-profit entity" because it would probably mean higher rates for customers.

Years of fighting between the two jurisdictions culminated in December 2011 when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors  passed legislation taking control of all water rates charged county residents and control of the millions of dollars in water fees that will flow from new developments, especially in Tysons Corner.