Prince William County Completes Occoquan Watershed Study Amid Data Center Development Concerns
Prince William County has completed the Occoquan Model study to address concerns over development impacts on the Occoquan Reservoir watershed, a vital drinking water source. Initiated by Fairfax Water, the study evaluates future land-use scenarios through 2040 and proposes methods for assessing land cover and climate effects on water quality, emphasizing the need for informed land-use decisions amid significant data center expansions.
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Prince William County has completed the Occoquan Model study in response to concerns about development pressures on the Occoquan Reservoir watershed, a key drinking water source. Fairfax Water requested the study to assess the impact of major planning initiatives on water quality.
The Board of County Supervisors proceeded with the study after approving the Comprehensive Plan update and the Digital Gateway, alongside an additional 40 million square feet of data centers. The study projects future land-use scenarios for the watershed through 2040 and outlines the methodology for assessing land cover and climate impacts on water quality.
It also discusses the next steps to enhance prediction accuracy using the new Occoquan Watershed Modeling Framework (OWMF). The health of the Occoquan Reservoir is critical for drinking water and recreation, highlighting the importance of informed land-use decisions.
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