It's been a long-standing policy that public water not be extended North of Georgetown Pike for a variety of reasons. It provides an incentive for more intensive development, and there are environmental issues ... it just seemed that all of a sudden historical policy didn't matter anymore.

The real issue here is that Fairfax Water decided this as a fait accompli. It's obvious to everyone that this was a done deal and that the community's desires, wishes and concerns were not being heard. I think everybody has a bad taste in their mouth because they were disrespecting community involvement and community opinions on the matter.

Though Riverside Manor residents are already drinking public water, a win would be more than a moral victory. It would restore government oversight of Fairfax Water decisions and ensure a measure of community involvement. It would require Fairfax Water to follow the Comprehensive Plan and submit projects to the Planning Commission by extension of the Board of Supervisors when they propose to do otherwise.

I never dreamed the water would get that high.

It replaces some of the wearing surface and seals it so water can't get in - water is the enemy of the street. We've already cracksealed the streets - we've found that it works better when we've done that, ... The contractor is doing some patching that we weren't able to get to.

The trench coat is the only thing that has kept its head above water.