Overbuilt utilities, oversized consequences

Dear Editor;

I notice that the issues behind the catastrophe in Purcellville and the coming debacle in Paeonian Springs and Waterford arise from the same terrible policy.  That is, to overbuild a major utility service in anticipation of substantial future growth. Which, in turn, actually creates that growth by raising costs hugely for current users, pressuring them to allow more growth to absorb those higher costs.  

This, of course, is a policy suggested, supported and encouraged by some land owners and some local developers to create growth and wealth for themselves at the expense of the public.

We are now seeing the terrible consequences of this policy unfolding in Purcellville—but there is still time to avoid this disaster from an overbuilt water system between Paeonian Springs and Waterford.

Lets hope that the fix is not yet in and this poor policy and unneeded oversized and costly system can be rethought and a better, more targeted and less damaging approach to existing needs will emerge.
 
 
Mitch Diamond
Unison