The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a report that claims the price the Falls Church water utility charges county residents is too high. The board also approved the report's two controversial recommendations: that Fairfax override the Falls Church City Council by setting rates for Falls Church water customers who reside in the county, and that Falls Church water no longer be allowed to provide water to newly developing areas, including Tyson's Corner.
It was the lastest stroke in the battle over water that Fairfax County and Falls Church have been fighting for the last few years.
Round one was a series of lawsuits that ended in a judge ruling that Falls Church could not spend its water profits on items in its general city budget. Now, Fairfax County is alleging that Falls Church water rates are too high — about twice the price of Fairfax rates — and that customers who live in the county shouldn't have to pay the high rates.
"Our board is trying to bring fairness and equity to our residents in Fairfax who have been treated unfairly in their water bills," Chairman Sharon Bulova, D-At Large, said.
Falls Church council member Lawrence Webb called Fairfax commission's report a "political document."
"Certain county board members have been very outspoken that they want to take over the city's water system. This report certainly raises questions about the commission’s independence. A professional and objective consumer commission should not be involved in raw politics," he said.
But Fairfax leaders suggested that if the report wasn't factual, it was Falls Church's fault — the commission reported that representatives from the city refused to meet with them.
"I think the report was factual, accurate. It would have been more complete if they had responded to the questions we asked of them," Supervisor John Foust, D-Dranesville, said.
Falls Church will have one more opportunity to defend its water rates before the Fairfax board takes any action.
