Detrás del grifo: el poder de la asociación entre ACSA y RWSA

At the Albemarle County Service Authority, our mission is to provide clean, safe, reliable water to our community—every single day. But getting it to your tap takes a team. Your water begins its journey with the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA), which sources and treats it before handing it off to ACSA for storage and distribution. We work hand-in-hand with RWSA to ensure that every drop meets the highest standards of safety and quality. It’s a seamless partnership built on trust, expertise and a shared commitment to serving our region.

From Source to Sink: RWSA’s Role in Water Treatment

RWSA is the regional organization responsible for sourcing and treating our community’s drinking water. In simple terminology, RWSA is the producer, while ACSA is the distributor. RWSA draws water from local rivers and reservoirs, then treats it to meet the highest health and safety standards. (Fun fact: RWSA takes over 1,900 water samples and completes over 7,700 lab tests each year!)

After being treated at one of RWSA’s six treatment plants, the water is delivered to ACSA. ACSA then stores and delivers that water to homes, schools, farms and businesses throughout Albemarle County. This collaborative process keeps clean, safe, reliable water flowing to where it’s needed most.

Investing in Infrastructure, Protecting Our Resources

Our partnership with RWSA isn’t just about water—it’s also about sustainability, infrastructure and preparing for the future. Year after year, RWSA makes significant investments in our shared water and wastewater systems. At the heart of this effort is a comprehensive 50-year water supply plan—designed to ensure that our community has a reliable water source not just today, but for generations to come. RWSA has also made significant upgrades to wastewater infrastructure, protecting public health and improving the quality of water returned to the environment.

Their environmental initiatives go hand-in-hand with these infrastructure improvements. By enhancing ecological flow releases from dams to rivers, RWSA helps protect local aquatic habitats and the broader river ecosystem. Advanced nutrient removal technologies reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus entering our waterways, promoting cleaner rivers and healthier wildlife. Infrastructure expansions allow the system to handle peak wastewater flows during major storms, reducing the risk of overflows and protecting both property and public safety. And through the conversion of biosolids into compost and methane-based “green” energy, RWSA reduces waste while creating useful resources—turning yesterday’s wastewater into tomorrow’s environmental solution.

Supporting RWSA

ACSA is responsible for 60% of RWSA’s budget, so the financial impacts of those upgrades flow through to us—and in turn, to our customers. But we’re committed to softening that impact. This year, RWSA’s costs to ACSA are projected to rise by nearly 19%, yet ACSA is limiting our average rate increase to 8.9% thanks to the use of financial reserves and careful budgeting.

When you pay your bill, you support RWSA’s work and, by extension, your quality of life. Every time you fill a glass of water, wash dishes, or water your garden, you’re benefiting from an intricate, well-maintained system that starts with RWSA’s expertise and ends with ACSA’s commitment to reliable service.

Our partnership with RWSA is one of the reasons Albemarle County residents enjoy some of the highest-quality water in the Commonwealth. Together, we serve and conserve today to sustain for tomorrow—and protect our natural resources forever.