Million-dollar federal contribution will help connect Sandston neighborhood to public water
Henrico County will use a $1.092 million federal contribution to extend public water service to 41 homes in the Cedar Ridge neighborhood near Sandston. Residents welcomed relief from low wells and PFAS concerns but questioned the timeline and raised concerns about nearby data centers’ water demand, noise, traffic and light pollution.
U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan announced $1.092 million in federal funding for Henrico County to install more than 5,000 feet of water lines serving 41 Cedar Ridge customers near Sandston. The project, expected to take 18 months to two years, will give residents using private wells the option to connect to county water, with connection fees covered by the county.
Residents cited drought-related well shortages and possible PFAS contamination as reasons for supporting the project, while some expressed skepticism about the construction timeline. Several also criticized nearby data center development for increasing noise, traffic and light pollution and questioned its effect on local water supplies. Henrico officials said data centers account for about 3% of county water use and operate closed-loop systems required by county code, meaning they do not expect an impact on residents’ water supply.