Water supply transitioning for Montgomery County

The water source for 650 homes in Montgomery County will begin a transition to its usual source, the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, today.

This two-phase process will result in the switch from the temporary water supply, which comes from the Blacksburg/Christiansburg VPI Water Authority, because it contains chloramines, a disinfectant. 

"There should not be any real concerns with the transition," said Bob Fronk, PSA director. "Unfortunately, this is the third year we've done this."  

Fronk also said that this switch usually occurs during the winter. 

One risk involved with changing the water supply is that it would affect dialysis patients; however, Fronk said the public's water authority is unaware of any on record in the area of the transition. 

The other risk involves people with aquatic pets who use the public water supply to fill their tanks. They were also notified that they'd need to change an agent in their water in order to maintain a healthy tank environment.

These two risks will dissolve after the new water supply becomes consistent in one week.

Students hold protest

Yesterday was Fossil Fools Day, a nationwide call to action where activists demonstrated their opposition to wasted energy in a variety of ways.

"We're having a carnival parade for Fossil Fools Day," said Jason Johnson, senior civil engineering major.  "Basically we're targeting the university's research in clean coal because clean coal's a lie."

The Blacksburg chapter of Mountain Justice, an organization composed of these activists, participated in Fossil Fools Day by marching around campus and protesting Tech's partnership with Dominion Virginian Power.