HRSD to Host Informational Open House to Share James River Plant Expansion Plans

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Newport News residents are invited to come learn more about the Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT)

NEWPORT NEWSHRSD will hold an informational open house on Saturday, December 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to share information and answer questions about upcoming plant expansion that will bring SWIFT, Advanced Water Treatment and aquifer replenishment to the James River Plant. The plant is located at 111 City Farm Road, Newport News, Virginia 23602.

While there, visitors can:

  • See preliminary expansion design plans and speak with project engineers
  • Learn more about the many environmental benefits of SWIFT
  • Ask questions and provide your feedback
  • Sample drinking-water quality SWIFT Water

Tours of the James River Plant will also be available to visitors 12 years and older*.

SWIFT is an innovative water treatment project designed to ensure a sustainable source of groundwater to meet current and future needs in the region. The project takes HRSD's already highly treated water that would otherwise be discharged into the Elizabeth, James or York rivers and puts it through additional rounds of advanced water treatment to produce drinking quality SWIFT Water. The SWIFT Water is then treated to match the existing groundwater chemistry and added to the Potomac Aquifer, the primary source of groundwater throughout eastern Virginia.

The SWIFT Research Center in Suffolk, Virginia, currently adds one million gallons of SWIFT Water to the Potomac Aquifer daily. Once fully implemented SWIFT will replenish the aquifer with up to 100 million gallons of water daily, ensuring a sustainable source of groundwater while also addressing environmental challenges such as Chesapeake Bay restoration, sea level rise and saltwater intrusion.

HRSD’s mission is to protect public health and the waters of Hampton Roads by treating wastewater effectively. A political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia, HRSD was created by public referendum in 1940 and currently serves 18 cities and counties in southeast Virginia, an area with a population of 1.7 million.

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*Due to safety requirements, all plant tour participants must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes (no high heels).

Should you have any questions or comments, you may contact:

Media Contact:

Leila Rice, APR - 757.460.7056
Director of Communications
lrice@hrsd.com