Bedford Co. to offer water at the push of a button

By Justin Faulconer

Published: September 26, 2008

BEDFORD — For Bedford County residents who have felt the harsh effects of drought, thousands of gallons of water could come at the push of a button.

The county’s public service authority has built an automated self-service filling station with outlet valves that can release 10 to 10,000 gallons of water for individuals.

“The public can buy water 24 hours a day, seven days a week on their schedules instead of ours,” said Brian Key, the authority’s director. “The only difference is instead of it flowing through a pipe to their house, they could flow it into some type of tank or container.”

Residents with an authority-issued account, including those who are not on public water and sewer, could use it if they acquire a five-digit account number and three-digit pin. The station would go wherever the need is most felt in the county or where there are high volumes of requests.

Many in the Forest area have been asking for an automated service, Key said. The initial location for the station, which has to be connected to a fire hydrant to operate, is likely the New London business park on U.S. 460.

Key said the portable station could be moved from site to site on a needed basis. It works like an ATM and is intended to only help people during drought.

“We’re not looking to generate a lot of revenue,” said Key. “We tried to find a solution for the people who are hurting.”

Many farmers have expressed concern in watering livestock and irrigating fields when ponds and wells are drying, he said. County officials this year have asked Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to seek a disaster declaration so they could become eligible for financial assistance.

When an extreme drought hit the area in 2002, Key said the service authority then set up a filling station but had to have a person there to operate it. The automated service cuts back on the labor expense and gives people continual access.

Those who use it would later be billed based on volume.

It also shouldn’t be hard to use, he said. All one has to do is type in their account information and press how much water is desired and turn on the valves to the meters on its lower side.

“Anybody that knows how to use a garden hose will be able to use this,” Key said.

For more information, visit the authority at 1723 Falling Creek Road or call 540-586-7679.