A Locust Grove neighborhood was unable to access its lakes on Father’s Day due to a sewage issue.
Heavy rains caused flooding Saturday in Lake of the Woods, significantly damaging the vacuum sewer collection station at the neighborhood’s back gate. According to the Rapidan Service Authority (RSA), as a result of the damage, sewage passing through the station at the time of the failure was released into the community’s Main Lake via flood waters. The Main Lake is a 500-acre man-made lake with a variety of beach access points. The community also has Keaton’s Lake, a 24-acre lake with one boat launch and one sand beach. Both are used for a variety of activities including fishing and swimming. Officials with RSA said the release of the sewage was limited, but community officials advised residents on Sunday to avoid any activities at both lakes that would pose a risk for ingesting the water. All of the beach and lake access points were later closed, with the lakes closed for recreational use including boating.
The pump was repaired Sunday night. On Monday evening, both lakes were reopened for recreational use at one’s own risk. Community officials said after recent inspections and the recession of water levels, conditions were safe for reopening, but testing would continue. They also said after further investigation by RSA, they believed sewage did not enter the lake from the pump station.
Swim and boating advisories remained in place Tuesday with additional testing conducted. Results are due back within 7-10 days.
