Virginia's Lower Peninsula

A federal court overturned a US Army Corps of Engineers Permit to allow the construction of the King William Reservoir, which was proposed almost 15 years ago to meet a looming water crisis in Virginia’s lower Peninsula. On the basis of grossly overestimated growth and demand forecasts, the Sierra Club and the Alliance to Save the Mattaponi (the river to be affected by the reservoir) contracted with Environmental Stewardship Concepts to develop a report outlining various alternatives to the reservoir so that the area’s needs may still be met.

The report, A Survey of Sustainable Water Supplies in Virginia’s Lower Peninsula: Alternatives to the King William Reservoir Project, was presented to both the Newport News City Council and the James City County Board of Supervisors. Newport News’ the Daily Press, Williamsburg’s Virginia Gazette, West Point’s Tidewater Review all covered the release as well. With the multitude of feasible options outlined in the report, it seemed apparent that a new phase in water conservation in Virginia could be on the horizon.

Resources

A Survey of Sustainable Water Supplies in Virginia’s Lower Peninsula – Alternatives to the King William Reservoir Project