14.8 billion gallon Cobbs Creek Reservoir to serve as sustainable water supply for decades
Henrico, Virginia, April 22, 2024
Cobbs Creek Reservoir, a $280 million sustainable regional water supply project designed to secure Henrico’s drinking water needs for decades, is set to be completed this year. The historic project encompasses 1,117 acres and has been under construction since 2017. The reservoir should be operational by December, barring any drastic dry weather events.
“This is just one more example of how Henrico goes the extra mile on behalf of our community,” says Anthony Romanello. “Sometimes making a difference means time, and sometimes it means effort; with Cobbs Creek, it meant both. Now with the end in sight, we’re excited to be able to deliver on our enduring commitment to being good environmental stewards.”
During drought or near-drought conditions, Cobbs Creek will provide extra water to the flow of the James River. In addition to meeting the region’s drinking water needs, the reservoir will serve as a source of recreation. It will offer a two-lane boat ramp, as well as opportunities for fishing and swimming. Henrico partnered with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to stock the reservoir with fish, as well as timber to build underwater habitats.
Cobbs Creek is one of several steps that Henrico is taking to secure a more sustainable future. In 2022, the locality launched Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team (H.E.A.R.T.). This group of representatives from local agencies serves as a “think tank” for environmental initiatives and is dedicated to promoting sustainability. Recently, they pursued federal funding from the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program. As a result, in January, the locality was awarded a $1.4 million grant to create an EV charging station network, becoming one of only 47 localities in the nation to achieve this.
Further, in the past decade, Henrico officials have mindfully addressed environmental issues in a variety of ways, including:
- installing six rooftop solar systems
- providing 95-gallon recycling carts for the nearly 90,000 households that participate in curbside recycling
- restoring more than 15,000 feet of streams
“It really takes a coalition of people that all of these things get done and get done to the benefit of the people we serve,” said Bentley Chan, Director of Henrico Public Utilities. “We love talking to people and getting to the heart of what they’re looking for and ask how the structures we have in place be able to meet that.”
“It’s a thrilling time for our community,” said Romanello. “Cobbs Creek Reservoir and other environmentally minded projects help build a better quality of life and ensure a more resilient future for our residents and businesses. It’s deeply rewarding to collaborate with Henrico officials and agencies on such important work. I’m excited about how everyone is so dedicated to continue developing new ways to help our community achieve their sustainability goals.”
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For Immediate Release
For more information on this topic, contact:
Anthony J. Romanello
Executive Director