Water plan involves Virginia

A plan that could open up a cooperative water effort between Alleghany and Grayson County, Va. was discussed at a meeting on March 14. The meeting, which was held in Independence, was held in hopes that both Sparta and Independence, Va. could have future water needs met via a joint venture on the New River.

The proposed plant would be located in Virginia, but lines would connect Sparta to the water source. The New River had been discussed before as a source for water, as had sections of Bledsoe Creek and Little River. Representing Alleghany County were Commissioner Patrick Woodie and County Manager Don Adams and Planner Jack Conaway.

Sparta Town Manager Tom Douglas, who said he was on vacation at the time of the meeting, said he would look favorably on the future possibility of a cooperative water effort.

"A couple of years ago when Bristol was talking about expanding, we talked with Bristol about getting a Community Development Block Grant based on the new jobs they would be creating to build a new water treatment plant," Douglas said. "At that time, engineers estimated that we were at 85 percent of capacity."

So where is the town's water capacity now?

"Basically, we haven't changed," Douglas said. "We're probably still at 85 percent of capacity."

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