From the McLean Patch: The City of Falls Church water authority, which serves the bulk of McLean residents, is up for sale. The City of Falls Church City Council voted unanimously Monday night to send out a "Request for Expressions of Interest" to see if public or private utility companies, including the Fairfax County Water Authority, would be interested in buying the Falls Church water system.
The decision to sell the Water Authority comes after several years of fighting with Fairfax County over water rates. Ninety percent of Falls Church customers live in Fairfax County including most McLean residents.
The fighting between the two jurisdictions culminated in December 2011 when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed 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.
Currently Fairfax County water rates are nearly $30 cheaper than Falls Church rates for the average homeowner.
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust called for the county to buy Falls Church Water last summer. His suggestion came after leading Falls Church officials appeared at the McLean Citizens Association's July meeting to explain and answer questions about a proposed price increase and the ongoing questions about a court decision in a where Fairfax County successfully sued Falls Church City for overcharging its Fairfax County customers.
Foust said Wednesday night, "I am not surprised by Falls Church's decision to explore a possible sale. Their economic incentive to serve 90,000 Fairfax County residents no longer exists. I believe the best option for all cutomers of Falls Church Water, both Fairfax and Falls Church residents, would be a merger with Fairfax Water. This would ensure that they continue to have excellent water service and at lower rates." [Read the rest]
